City of Corbin awarded $250,000 grant to put cops in local schools

The City of Corbin will receive a $250,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Justice that will pay for two police officers to work as school resource officers with the Corbin Independent School System.

The announced for the grant award came Monday. Corbin is one of only three communities in Kentucky to receive the grant funds from the DOJ COPS — Building Safer Communities grant.

“I think this is really a win-win situation for both the schools and the city,” said Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams Tuesday.
“It’s something that’s needed. It’s a great program. We are hoping through it that kids in our school will have a more positive impression of the police and feel save enough that if they have a problem with bullying or drugs or something like that, then they know they have someone they can talk to.”

Sams said most likely two officers already in the city police department would serve as the school resource officers. They will be stationed at Corbin Middle School and Corbin High School.

Mark Daniels, Director of Support Services for the Corbin Independent School District, said he was elated to learn of the success of the grant application. Daniels applied for the money on behalf of the city.

“I really felt like Corbin was a good candidate for the grant,” Daniels said. “I think it’s important to let our youth know that the police are not to be considered a threat, but that they are there to help and assist. We want them to have a good impression of law enforcement.”

To that end, Daniels said the school resource officers don’t simply break up fights or search lockers for drugs or weapons, but instead also become a part of the “culture of the school,” taking part and even leading professional development sessions and working closely with students.

Sams said the officers will remain a part of the city police department, but will work in tandem with school officials on a daily basis.

The grant funds last for 36 months. The city is expected to match a portion of the money granted, but Sams said the grant funds would be used to offset existing salaries and benefits.

“It will help tremendously. It will be a big savings.”

Daniels said the officers could be in place rather soon.

Sams said he’s hoping to assign officers to the schools by Oct. 20, but no later than the middle of November.

“I think it’s going to be a new, positive experience for everyone,” Sams said.