ISLE OF WIGHT
An Isle of Wight County student’s recent complaint of inappropriate contact from a school resource officer is being investigated, and that deputy is no longer with the agency, said Lt. Tommy Potter of the Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office. Initially, the SRO was placed on administrative leave.

Potter would not identify either the deputy or student — though he confirmed that the student is a minor.

Nor is the school system speaking on the issue.

“The school division is unable to comment on this since it is a personnel matter at the Sheriff’s Office and is being actively investigated by them at this time,” said Kenita Bowers, the school division’s spokeswoman.

“The complaint, if substantiated, is a policy violation,” the lieutenant added. “The Isle of Wight County Commonwealth Attorney’s office will review the investigation and determine what, if any, criminal charges should be filed in this matter.”

In cases such as this one, he continued, a student can make a complaint however he or she wants. In this instance, the student spoke to the principal, who in turn contacted the school administration and then the Sheriff’s Office.

“The deputy also contacted the sheriff’s office to inform them of the allegation,” Potter said.

“We’re going to conduct a very thorough investigation,” he added. “We want to be as thorough as we can and be fair to the student as well as the deputy.”