OLYMPIA, Wash. - Budget cuts could force the city to reassign its two campus police officers back to patrolling the streets.
Currently each high school in Olympia has an Olympia police officer assigned to campus. The two officers respond to nearby elementary and middle schools as needed.
Under next year's proposed budget, the two officers would no longer be on campus.
"There's a perspective you get from being here all day every day," said Officer Amy King, who spends most of her days patrolling Olympia High School.
Officer King said she has helped break up drug deals, theft rings and fights. She believes just the presence of a police car on campus serves as a deterrent to violence.
The Assistant Principal said he expects the school district to encourage the city to look elsewhere for cuts.
"She [Officer King] provides a safe feeling to the campus and develops positive relationships with the students," said Assistant Principal Mark Davis.
The budget proposed by Olympia's City Manager calls for $4 million in cuts. Fourteen city employees would be laid off under the budget that still needs to be approved by the city council.
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