Officer Matthew Neal was the School Resource Officer for the Rose Hill district for four years. Neal resigned from the SRO position in Rose Hill, to follow a new job opportunity at Wichita State in the Police Science department as an instructor. The position that was offered was too good to pass up he remarked.

“I feel bad about leaving the SRO position at Rose Hill, and this was one of the hardest decisions in my life,” said Neal.

Neal said the biggest reason for leaving Rose Hill was because of family, and as SRO he never felt like he had enough time with his family.

“The job I took gives me summers off to spend with my family, so we can go on more vacations,” said Neal.

Achieving relationships with the students was one of the main goals for Neal, and he wanted the students to feel comfortable around police officers. Neal wanted to be on common grounds with the students so they could confide their problems with an adult that would help them.

“I just wanted to help all I could, and make the kids that didn’t talk to cops and teachers know that they could open up to an adult,” said Neal.

Neal graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1993, but considers himself a Rose Hill citizen. He tried to attend all of the events in Rose Hill to support the community and the school. Neal plans to still attend events at Rose Hill and to visit the students on occasion.

The new SRO is Officer Blake Weekley, who graduated from Rose Hill High School, and he has always liked the Rose Hill schools and small community.

“I’ve lived in Rose Hill for ten years now, and I’m excited to help the kids here and communicate with the students,” said Weekley.