SHELBY – A special meeting of the Shelby Board of Education on Tuesday amounted to an assemblage of character witnesses on behalf of Shelby officer Keith Swisher, whose status as a coach and school resource officer is being reviewed after he reportedly walked through a girls’ locker room with students present.
The board allowed 30 minutes of public comment overwhelmingly in favor of reinstating Swisher as the school resource officer (SRO) and girls’ soccer coach before meeting in executive session “to consider the discipline, dismissal or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee.”
According to board president Scott Rose, no action was taken after the conclusion of the executive session. Rose stated he did not know if or when action might be taken as a result of the executive session. The next scheduled meeting of the Shelby BOE is Monday, Oct. 28 at Shelby High School.
The special meeting comes after the Shelby Police Department and Shelby City Schools district announced on Oct. 8 that Swisher had been placed on paid administrative leave by the police department and suspended from his coaching duties by the district.
Those actions came after a teacher reported overhearing a conversation between two students that Swisher had walked through the girls’ locker room at the Field House while players were present.
According to Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs, after both a criminal and internal investigation was conducted, Swisher was disciplined and has been reinstated to full duty with the Shelby Police Department. His status as a school resource officer and coach with Shelby City Schools has yet to be determined.
More than 40 citizens attended Tuesday night’s special board meeting, including Swisher himself, accompanied by his wife, Jenny.
“We have a blended marriage, I have a daughter and two sons. He has never made my daughter, who is also part of the soccer team, feel uncomfortable in our home or in the sport,” said Jenny Swisher.
“He doesn’t let her even be in anything but clothes at home. Even when it comes to the girls and the appropriate attire to wear on the field, they’re not allowed to wear certain attire and have to be covered up. He has taken every precaution for this very reason right here.”
Many citizens spoke of the positive impact Swisher’s presence as a school resource officer has had in improving the relationship between the community and the police department.
“I can’t think of anyone better for that position than Officer Swisher,” said Shelby Mayor Steve Schag. “I would say unequivocally, I would stake my reputation on this man’s impeccable character and integrity. I have two young granddaughters – I would trust them with Officer Swisher anytime, anywhere.”
Others spoke of Swisher’s coaching abilities with the school’s first-ever girls’ soccer team, including a handful of tearful players singing his praises.
“We coached together from June until the last couple weeks, and he took every precaution to make sure a situation like this never happened,” said Nina Blake, a fellow girls’ soccer coach and a teacher at Shelby Middle School.
“I went to the locker room most of the time beforehand, every conversation we had with a girl we did together. What’s being brought against him is false accusations taken out of context. He is a good man, and it would be a disservice to Shelby City Schools if he does not continue to coach alongside of me.”
According to the official report written by Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs, Swisher “did in fact pass through the female side of the Field House on more than one occasion in order to access the coaching offices to change for soccer practice.”
“This occurred prior to the official start of school while off-duty and also on at least one occasion off-duty but while in uniform after the start of the school year,” Combs stated.
“No female student athletes were undressed when he passed through,” he continued. “At no time did he stop, loiter, linger, or engage with the athletes in the locker room. While there is a shower facility in that locker room, it is used as storage and not actively as a shower. There are no restroom facilities in that locker room.”
As a result of the investigation, Swisher was counseled on accessing the offices using only the male locker room access and to announce his presence and/or have another staff member with him at all times when it is necessary to access a female-only portion of any school or other building.
Approximately 20 student athletes from two teams were interviewed and/or their parents contacted and notified of the allegation, according to Combs. The parents of one student-athlete, Jeff and Christine Evans, said their daughter was involved with the incident and her trust in Swisher has been shaken.
“I’ve known Keith for several years and always had respect for him, but up until recently when these incidents have happened, my daughter has lost trust in him as she was one that was in the locker room as he was unannounced passing through,” said Christine Evans.
“When you’re in the ladies’ locker room, for her it’s a safe place. To have a man walk through unannounced multiple times has taken that away from her and she just feels very insecure now. She’s not comfortable around Mr. Swisher.”
