School resource officer resigns following suspension, probe into social media messages he allegedly sent to Simpson Co. student; city official: "Our actions were prudent and quick"
Bowling Green Daily News, April 20, 2017
Franklin school resource officer resigns amid investigation
by DEBORAH HIGHLAND
FRANKLIN – A 15-year veteran of the Franklin Police Department resigned Wednesday following an investigation into allegations he sent personal messages through Facebook to a minor at Franklin-Simpson High School.
School officials called Franklin police Chief Roger Solomon on Friday and told him Officer Chris Jackson sent "personal Facebook messages to a female student," according to a written statement from the city of Franklin.
"Once we discovered the issue, we suspended him immediately," City Manager Kenton Powell said. "We found out Friday afternoon. We discussed it on Saturday and Sunday and took action before he came on shift."
He was placed on suspension with pay Monday.
"Our actions were prudent and quick," Powell said.
School officials reported the issue to Kentucky State Police, who investigated the incident and did not find that Jackson had committed a crime in this incident, Solomon said.
Jackson has been a school resource officer for about six years, Solomon said.
He has not had any previous disciplinary issues that Solomon or Powell are aware of. His personnel file was not immediately available for review Thursday morning.
"The incident that took place is not indicative of the way Franklin Police Department operates nor is it indicative of the overall career that followed Chris Jackson," Solomon said. "Our primary concern is the safety and well being of our community especially of our children.
"We take this very seriously and I felt like we handled this very thorough and we were very procedurally sound while executing this investigation," Solomon said. "We collaborated with KSP through the entirety of the investigation."
School Superintendent Jim Flynn was not immediately available for comment Thursday morning.
Jackson resigned before the conclusion of the city's administrative investigation, according to the city's statement.