OLIVE HILL, Ky. June 21, 2023 As part of efforts to make sure the state law is followed, a school resource officer has been posted at all school buildings, but Carter County has taken the initiative a step farther.

Two years ago the Kentucky General Assembly passed a law allowing school systems to start police departments. Carter County is spending $100,000 to create its own.

That money will be used to buy uniforms and other equipment to get the department off the ground. The school system is looking to hire one more full-time officer.

R.D. Porter was hired as police chief last May and brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the job, including 20 years as a school resource officer.

“I think you give parents, students and your staff a better sense of security and safety,” Porter said. “There are times we have to leave when I was with the city to take other calls. That won’t be the case now. This is my jurisdiction. This is my patrol area.”

Porter said the new department will be similar to others as officers will have full arrest powers.

Carter County Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Green believes the move will ultimately save the school system money, as school leaders try and find a balance between the safety and education of students.

“The only change in this is we now control schedules,” Green said. “Our funding is being reduced each year. We are losing funds. We expect next year we are going to be operating our district in a deficit.”

Green said the goal is the have several part-time officers working by the start of the next school year.

The new Carter County Schools Police Department officially goes on patrol July 1.

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