ASPEN–School Resources Officer Paul “Huff” Hufnagle believes his primary role in the AHS community is to keep students safe.

Huff is the chief liaison between the AHS student body and the Pitkin County law enforcement. He views himself as a support system for students who want to learn more about law or have any questions about directive.

“I think working with kids is the greatest perk of this job, and I find it very rewarding,” said Huff. “Sometimes it’s sad to work with kids that make bad choices, but even when that happens I have the opportunity to help them out and build them back up. It is one of the best jobs that I could possibly have.”

Huff wants to create a dialogue with the student body at AHS. He encourages students to seek him out and ask questions about everything from parking tickets to the camera surveillance system throughout the school. Huff teaches an elective at AHS called Street Law. He believes the class is an opportunity for him to reach out to students and inform them about their rights as citizens and their relationship with law enforcement.

“I love it when students are curious about law. I really enjoy answering questions when kids are confused or if they need help with something,” said Huff. “I think students should feel comfortable to ask me questions anytime.”

One common source of confusion for students at AHS is the procedure whereby police identify gatherings off-campus, and what happens when they investigate them. While some students may be uncomfortable about encountering a law enforcement officer on campus, Huff stresses that his foremost responsibility is to keep students safe, and not to get them in trouble.

If police like Huff show up at an off-campus gathering, it is because they have seen a cluster of cars with AHS stickers on them or they are responding to a noise complaint, not because Huff overheard a conversation in the lunchroom.

“I believe there is a lot of speculation about how officers really find out about underage parties in Aspen,” said Huff. “There isn’t a mole in AHS or video cameras listening in on conversations. Officers determine where a party is from logical reasoning. For example, cars lining up the street with Aspen stickers is a common indicator.”

Huff further explained about what it is like for a police officer to enter a party and encounter a gathering in which kids are allegedly participating in illegal activities.

“Typically, when a police officer enters an off-campus gathering kids have the tendency to run away. This creates a situation where kids can get hurt,” said Huff. “I would much prefer for partygoers to come up to the officers and own up to their activity, whether or not they’re intoxicated.”

Huff’s long-term goal in Aspen is for students at AHS to view him as an ally and, ultimately, a supportive friend.

“I believe that the law enforcement in Aspen makes good choices when it comes to kids,” said Huff. “Their number one concern is to keep everyone safe.”