Peach County officer seen on video using expletives at student. Investigation launched

The Peach County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into an altercation between a Peach County Schools resource officer and a male student on a bus that drew attention on social media last week.

A Middle Georgia mother posted video footage of the incident to Facebook on Dec. 4, questioning why her son’s behavior during the incident was classified and charged as “disorderly conduct” when she believed the questionable behavior came from the resource officer. The video contains explicit language.

Efforts to reach the mother for comment prior to publication were unsuccessful.

In the video, two officers can be heard screaming at a student who alleges that he did not curse at one of the officers.

One officer, whose back faces the camera, used multiple expletives toward the student and told him to shut his mouth “before I put my hands on your ass“ during the argument.

In the social media post, the mother identified the officer as “Mr. Perry at Peach County Achievement Academy,” but neither the sheriff’s office nor the school district directly confirmed the officer’s identity prior to publication.

“Our SROs work collaboratively to support all Peach County Schools,” said district spokesperson Marla Sellers, adding that the sheriff’s office oversees the district’s school resource officers.

Peach County Sheriff “Buck” Shannon said Monday morning that the investigation is ongoing and there are no updates currently, including what led to the altercation or whether the student or the officer has faced disciplinary action.

Someone alleging to be the student in the video commented on the Facebook post, encouraging others to share the video.

Sellers said the district is collaborating with local law enforcement in a joint investigation.

“We are collaborating with the Peach County Sheriff’s Office in a joint investigation of the incident. The Peach County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead of the investigation and any questions regarding updates should be directed to the Peach County Sheriff’s Office,” Sellers said.

Shannon has not responded to additional questions and said he is unsure when the investigation will be completed.

Updated may be available as more information becomes available.