Scott Sophier

Scott Sophier has spent more than two decades serving the Evanston Community through law enforcement, but his journey started in the early 2000s—balancing work, school and his goals as a student at Oakton College.

Scott attended Oakton from 2001 to 2003. He remembers that Oakton made him feel welcomed. “There were people just like me—people who were balancing a lot of things in their lives, but still trying to prioritize, ensuring that they had a quality education.”

After a demanding time at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where Scott decided to juggle a full-time job and a full-time course load, Scott transferred to Oakton to regain balance. He said Oakton offered the flexibility and community he needed at that pivotal time.

“I made more friends at Oakton than I did at UIC,” he said. “It gave me the space to breathe, connect and keep moving forward.”

Though his police training began before he officially completed his associate degree, Scott returned to finish his last two classes. “I didn’t need the degree for the job, but I wanted to finish what I started,” he said. “You never know how education might benefit you in the future.”

Scott knew from a young age that he wanted to be a police officer. “It just always seemed exciting. It was great to not be in an office, to be out in the community, and essentially just help people,” he said. What began as a childhood aspiration evolved into a career rooted in empathy, accountability and leadership.

In his early days on the force, Scott spent most of his time in a patrol car, responding to calls and engaging directly with the community. Now, as a commander, his focus is on long-term projects—community engagement, officer wellness and department culture.

“Younger me thought impact meant solving big cases,” he said. “But real impact is often in the smaller moments—the relationships you build and how you show up for people.”

One of those memorable and powerful moments came when Scott was the Sergeant of the Traffic Bureau and a Northwestern student was critically injured in a hit-and-run shortly after moving to campus. Scott not only helped identify and arrest the driver—he stayed in touch with the student and his family for years after, offering support and even rides to appointments and events.

“Our families became close,” he said. “Now, we get together and go out to a really nice dinner to just celebrate our friendship in the weird way that it came together by this tragic incident that was very harmful to him. But I love the fact that a great story can come from something like that.”

Leadership Without Ego

Promoted to sergeant in 2015 and now serving as a commander, Scott has embraced a leadership philosophy grounded in humility. “I don’t pretend to know everything,” he said. “Faking it is the weakness. Being honest with the people you surround yourself with about where your strengths lie, where your weaknesses are, you actually get better as a leader and as a person.”

He credits mentors throughout his career, including Evanston’s current Chief of Police Schenita Stewart, for instilling confidence and encouraging a collaborative, democratic approach to leadership. “You never know who will have the best idea,” he said. “Rank doesn’t define value.”

Now leading community relations and community policing, Sophier has prioritized sustaining deep relationships with local stakeholders—even through staffing cuts and operational challenges.

“We never pulled back on community policing,” he said. “We’ve built trust over decades with residents, businesses and faith groups. That’s not something we want to lose.”

He sees his role as a connector—someone who can be a resource even when a situation isn’t directly law enforcement-related. “That’s what community is—knowing who to call and being willing to help.”

Reflecting on his journey, Sophier said he is proud to be doing exactly what he dreamed of as a kid—but also hopes his story offers perspective to students still discovering their paths.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or change direction,” he said. “Seek mentors. Learn what the day-to-day of a job is actually like before you commit.”

He encourages students to pursue hands-on experience and remain open to growth. “You might think you want a certain title or role,” he said, “but talk to someone who’s lived it. Your priorities matter, and there’s no shame in pivoting if something doesn’t feel right.”

Now, as he transitions into his new role as Chief of Police at Northeastern Illinois University, Sophier said he plans to carry those same values—curiosity, compassion and a commitment to continuous learning—into this next chapter.