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Campbell SRO serves suspension, resigns following investigation into possible misconduct
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
CAMPBELL
The school-resource officer at Campbell Memorial High School has resigned, effective Monday, after the school district’s investigation into allegations of possible misconduct involving a minor student.
According to public records obtained from Campbell City Schools, the investigation found that the school-resource officer, Russell Beatty III, violated a school board policy stating that “a professional staff member shall not associate or fraternize with students at any time in a manner that may give the appearance of impropriety.”
The records make clear, however, that the investigation “did not reveal any evidence of sexual contact or sexual conduct” between the minor student and the school-resource officer.
Beatty, who is in his mid-20s and began as school-resource officer at the start of the current academic year, was placed on paid administrative leave, beginning Dec. 9 and continuing for the duration of the investigation.
Last week, from Monday through Friday, Beatty served three days’ suspension and took two personal days as a result of the investigation’s findings.
He submitted his resignation Tuesday, noting in it that “evidence exists of me possibly violating a school policy due to my having a relationship with a student outside of school hours” and that he agreed “to not contest the five-day suspension from school.”
Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, Matthew Bowen, superintendent of Campbell City Schools, declined to comment further at this time.
Beatty continues to work as a part-time officer for the Campbell Police Department, where he has been employed since July. He also works part time for the Poland Village Police Department, and previously was employed as a correctional officer for the Corrections Corporation of America.
Drew Rauzan, the city’s police chief, said Beatty was among the first group of part-time officers he hired upon assuming the role of interim chief, and that he is one of the police department’s most “proactive and aggressive officers.”
And though the school district’s investigation revealed that Beatty did nothing illegal, violating only school-board policy, the Campbell Police Department will conduct its own investigation through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Rauzan explained that the police department commenced this process about a week ago, upon learning of the allegations involving the minor student and Beatty. Based upon contact with school officials, these allegations are driven solely by rumors, he added.
“The city of Campbell and Officer Beatty are both owed the most-thorough investigation possible. The schools started this situation, and we will finish it,” Rauzan said. “We need to get to the bottom of it — and clear Officer Beatty’s name completely, or handle the results of the findings.”
Beatty has not yet received any disciplinary action from the Campbell Police Department. If the police department’s investigation “turns up something illegal,” however, Beatty “could face numerous consequences,” Rauzan said.