CONCORD, N.C. — A former Concord school resource officer who worked at a high school was arrested, accused of sexual offenses against a girl, according to Cabarrus County officials.
Douglas Alan Buckwell, 42, was a 19-year veteran of the Concord Police Department and had served as a school resource officer since 2000, according to a news release from Concord police. Buckwell was assigned to Central Cabarrus High School since 2001.
An 18-year-old victim accused Buckwell in a report made Feb. 11 of a number of sexual offenses committed against her between August 2009 and January 2015, officials said. She told officials that many of offenses happened before she was 16 years old, according to a news release from Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office.
Concord police said there was no evidence Buckwell committed any criminal acts while on duty. The department has initiated an administrative investigation. Buckwell is on administrative leave without pay.
Carlos Flynn was shocked to hear about Buckwell's arrest when he picked up his granddaughter Wednesday.
“If the person who is to protect you is the one producing harm, who we can trust?” Flynn said. “That's very important. I think it is outrageous.”
Buckwell was charged with one count of first-degree statutory rape, one count statutory rape, one count first-degree statutory sex offense, one count statutory sex offense, one count indecent liberties with a child and three counts misdemeanor child abuse.
"It's an understatement to say that today's events are disappointing to myself and to the men and women of the Concord Police Department who work tirelessly on behalf of the residents, visitors, and businesses of Concord,” read a statement from Police Chief Gary J. Gaeck. “Although Officer Buckwell will surely have his day in court, the criminal allegations are horrific and indeed go counter to everything a law enforcement officer must stand for as a guardian of their community and their family. Our badge of office has been tarnished today. But for those of us who dedicate our lives to making the city of Concord a great and safe place to live, we will not let today's events distract us from the important work we took an oath to perform."
Buckwell was arrested and placed in the Cabarrus County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 bond.
As of February, Buckwell is no longer a school resource officer for Cabarrus County, officials said.
The investigation is still ongoing, and if anyone has further information, they are asked to call the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office Detectives Division at 704-920-3057.
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