Officer Hunter Bell and his K-9 partner, Joko, are regulars at N.B. Mills Elementary School. The Statesville Police Department's Facebook page highlighted the pair for their work as the school’s Resource Officer team, focusing on safety measures and making themselves approachable to students.
Officer Bell has five years of law enforcement experience, four of which have been in his role as a School Resource Officer. He and Joko also participated in community events over the summer, extending their presence beyond the school.
According to the Statesville Police Department, Bell’s main focus is building trust with students. He hopes that by the end of the school year, every student feels comfortable approaching him and Joko for support.
