As students return to the classroom, six City of Hilliard Division of Police Officers will be serving as school resource officers (SROs) at Hilliard City Schools throughout the 2026-27 school year.
Two schools will welcome new SROs, while four will welcome back familiar faces. The six officers will be assigned to three middle schools and three high schools.
While preventing and responding to school-based crime is an important part of their role, SROs do much more than that. Their presence and visibility help building relationships with students, teachers, and staff while providing support and serving as a resource to the school communities they serve.
Meet HPD’s new SROs
Officer Kyle Bright, Hilliard Darby High School
Officer Kyle Bright is joining Hilliard Darby High School as a new school resource officer.
Bright grew up in Westerville and began his career with HPD in 2004. During his time with the division, he served on the Accident Investigation Team and Bike Unit and as a field training officer. Most recently, Bright worked as a detective with the division’s Special Investigations Unit.
Fun facts about Officer Bright:
What were your favorite subjects in school? History
What was your favorite school lunch? Fiestada pizza (well done)
What is your favorite food? Gumbo
What are your favorite sports teams? All of the Cleveland teams, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Officer Dustin Vance, Hilliard Bradley High School
Officer Dustin Vance is joining Hilliard Bradley High School as a new resource Officer.
Vance joined HPD in 2012 and has served as a patrol officer, traffic safety officer, and a detective with the Special Investigations Unit. Most recently, he was a detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit.
Before joining HPD, Vance joined the Army Reserve in 2007 as a military police officer. The following year, he served a combat tour in Iraq as a machine gunner and driver. Vance served in the Army until 2013, reaching the rank of sergeant.
Fun facts about Officer Vance:
What were your favorite subjects in school? History and World Religion
What was your favorite school lunch? Chicken sandwich or hamburger
What is your favorite food? Crawfish boil
What are your favorite sports teams? Cincinnati Bengals
Meet the returning SROs
Four HPD officers are returning to the schools they have served in recent years.
Officer Ian King, Hilliard Davidson High School
Officer Ian King is returning to Davidson High School for his fourth year as a resource officer
Fun facts about Officer King:
What were your favorite subjects in school? Math and Science
What was your favorite school lunch? Cheeseburgers
What is your favorite food? Smoked steak
What are your favorite sports teams? The Ohio State Buckeyes
Officer Shane O’Connor, Memorial Middle School
Officer Shane O’Connor is returning to Memorial Middle School for his fifth year as a school resource officer. O’Connor has served as a resource officer for six years in total.
Fun facts about Officer O’Connor:
What were your favorite subjects in school? Creative writing, chemistry, and shop class
What was your favorite school lunch? The old school square pizza
What is your favorite food? Ribeye steak
What are your favorite sports teams? The Ohio State Buckeyes
Officer Josh Barnett, Heritage Middle School
Officer Josh Barnett has served as a school resource officer for 11 years and is returning to Heritage Middle School for his sixth consecutive school year.
Fun facts about Officer Barnett:
What were your favorite subjects in school? Math
What was your favorite school lunch? Pizza
What is your favorite food? Delmonico steak
What are your favorite sports teams? The Ohio State Buckeyes and Indianapolis Colts
Officer Josh Valentine, Weaver Middle School
Officer Josh Valentine is returning to Weaver Middle School where he has spent the last two school years.
Fun facts about Officer Valentine:
What were your favorite subjects in school? Math and science
What was your favorite school lunch? Galaxy pizza
What is your favorite food? Chipotle
What are your favorite sports teams? The Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes
Whether they are meeting students for the first time or returning to a familiar school, HPD’s SROs are looking forward to another school year of building relationships, supporting students and helping keep Hilliard schools safe.
