Individuals passing by Corbin Middle School may have seen a Corbin Police cruiser parked in front of the school.
Hannah Goins, a spokesperson for Corbin Independent Schools, said the car belongs to School Resource Officer Amanda Neal, whose primary duty station is at the school.
Neal joined the Corbin Police Department earlier this year. However, she was required to complete training at the Kentucky State Police Academy in Richmond.
Neal joins Corbin Police Detective Bill Rose, who is the school resource officer primarily assigned to Corbin High School.
“We want parents to understand we now have a presence in the schools and just because a police car is parked outside does not mean anything is wrong,” Rose said.
Goins said either officer can and will respond to any of the school system’s seven other facilities, including the central office and the Corbin Center, as needed.
While the officers may be called to deal with any situations that require law enforcement, Goins said the primary purpose is to build solid relationships between the police and students, along with members of the community who come into the schools. In addition, the officers are there for the safety of the students.
“We enjoy being in the schools and providing a sense of safety for the students. Rose said. “More than that, we hope to teach students we are approachable for anything and always here to help.”
Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, the department’s public affairs officer, said the city receives a grant through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program.
Rose and Neal will perform their regular duties when school is dismissed for the summer.
