In fall 2019, UCF Downtown will open its 21st-century campus to nearly 8,000 students, faculty and staff in the heart of downtown Orlando. To create an ideal learning and working environment, the UCF Police Department will have a dedicated team of officers to patrol the campus, led by Commander Scott Freeman ’11.

“We’re looking forward to opening our sub-station at UCF Downtown and becoming part of the fabric of downtown Orlando,” says Freeman. In addition to UCFPD’s presence, the campus includes many safety features like secured access entry into buildings, license plate recognition technology, blue light phones, video surveillance, and an emergency alert system.

Learn more about Freeman:

What does your role as police commander entail?

I am assigned to our regional patrol division, where I oversee patrol operations for the Rosen School of Hospitality Management, the College of Medicine at Lake Nona, and UCF Downtown.  Additionally, I lead UCFPD’s designated rifle team and our honor guard.

What did you earn your degree in?

I received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UCF as well as a graduate certificate in police leadership from UCF. Currently, I am enrolled in the criminal justice master’s degree program at American Military University.

When you were 10 years old, what do you want to be when you grew up?

The President of the United States or a professional baseball player.

Describe your experience at UCF.

I began my career with the UCFPD in September 2005 as a civilian community service officer, so this year marks my 13th year of employment here. I worked in the civilian capacity for just under a year until I was offered an opportunity to go to the police academy under a paid sponsorship from UCFPD.  Following the academy, I was assigned to midnight patrol.  In 2008, I became a detective, and in 2011, I was selected to represent the UCFPD at a multi-agency drug task force called the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. Following my time at the MBI, I returned to midnight patrol in 2015, and in 2016, I was promoted to the rank of sergeant and took over supervision of our detectives. After a year as supervisor of the Criminal Investigations Division, I was promoted to my current role.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Working for a university police department is unlike most other police jobs in the country. I take great pride in having the opportunity to truly effect someone’s life in a positive way, every day.  It really is a rewarding experience.

When you aren’t on duty, how do you spend your free time?

In my free time, you’ll find me at a sporting event or a craft brewery.

What is your current favorite song:

“Nobody to Blame” by Chris Stapleton

Do you have any hidden talents? 

I carry around a tremendous amount of useless sports and American history knowledge that doesn’t do me much good, other than giving me something to talk about at parties and family gatherings. People also tell me I bear a close resemblance to the country singer Cole Swindell…but I definitely didn’t get his musical talent.

What is your proudest accomplishment to date?

I’m going to take more credit than I deserve for this one because most all of it goes to my wife, but I’m most proud of the birth of my daughter earlier this year, and the accomplishment of being a father. My wife and I have been married for 10 years, and having kids was always a dream of ours.  Now that she’s here with us, she’s become the most wonderful little thing in the world and is definitely being groomed to join Knight Nation.