Michael S. Scott is the director of the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing at Arizona State University, as well as a clinical professor in ASU's Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice. He was formerly a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School and a senior researcher at the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

Previously, Michael was the chief of police of the Lauderhill, Florida Police Department. He also served as the civilian administrator for police departments in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, Fort Pierce, Florida, and New York City. Prior to this, he was a police officer in the Madison, Wisconsin Police Department.

Michael is the chair of the judging committee for the Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing. In 1996, he was the recipient of PERF's Gary P. Hayes Award for innovation and leadership in policing.

He holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.