Millbrook cop quits after relationship with Stanhope Elmore student revealed

MILLBROOK — A Millbrook police officer has resigned after it came to light that he had an “inappropriate” relationship with an 18-year-old female student at Stanhope Elmore High School, said Police Chief P.K. Johnson.

The officer was off duty when he worked as a security guard at the school, Johnson said. No criminal charges have been filed, he said. He declined to give the officer’s name, saying no charges have been filed and that it’s his policy not to comment on personnel matters. The officer resigned Oct. 8 after an internal investigation was reopened about the relationship.

The initial investigation showed that there was no cause to take action, but evidence was brought forward that led to the reopening of the probe, which then led to the officer’s resignation, Johnson said.

“We have been in contact with school officials, as well as the student’s parents,” Johnson said. “At this time the student’s parents have indicated that they do not wish to pursue prosecution.  In the Alabama Code Section 13A-6-82, an incident involving an inappropriate relationship between a school employee and student under the age of 19 is discussed. It reads, ‘A person commits a crime if, being a school employee, has sexual contact with a student under the age of 19. If he or she is a school employee and engages in sexual contact as defined by Section A-6-60 (3) with a student regardless of whether the student is male or female.

“As the chief of police I expect our police officers to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. If the allegations made are true, this officer failed to uphold our code of conduct and the standards that we as law enforcement officers must abide by. I am disgusted about these allegations and I will not tolerate this type of behavior from our officers. Law enforcement is a public trust, and we must hold ourselves to the highest of standards. I am proud of the officer that initially brought this to our attention. He had a suspicion that one of our officers was conducting himself in a manner that was unacceptable, and he reported it to his patrol commander. Because of his attentiveness, a situation has been resolved to this point.”

District Attorney Randall Houston said Wednesday night that he became aware of the situation through media reports. He said if there is a complaint filed, an investigation into possible criminal activities will be conducted.