Police Complaint Center

REIDSVILLE - A Reidsville police officer was charged Wednesday with having sex with a student at Reidsville High School, where he served as a student resource officer.
James O'Brien "Brien" Smith, 32, of 521 Price St., Apt. 6B, was charged after a State Bureau of Investigation probe found Smith was involved in a sexual relationship with a student at the high school, Reidsville police said in a news release. He was charged with one count of Intercourse and Sexual Offenses with Certain Victims, a Class G felony. Smith was released from custody and is under electronic house arrest.
The investigation began after the Reidsville Police Department received a letter March 11 from Reidsville High Principal Jonathan Craig about Smith's behavior toward a female student. Faculty and staff
observed inappropriate behavior, prompting Reidsville Police Chief Edd Hunt to reassign Smith off campus immediately, the release said.
Questions about Smith's charges were directed to Noelle Talley, public information officer for the N.C. Department of Justice. Talley could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.
Smith also could not be reached for comment.
The release said Smith was terminated after Reidsville police interviewed him. Rockingham County School Superintendent Rodney Shotwell said he was made aware of the arrest after receiving the news release. District Attorney Phil Berger Jr. and police Capt. Guilio Dattero declined comment Wednesday.
Craig said several teachers made him aware of Smith's interaction with the student about two months ago. Craig said after seeing it himself, he warned Smith about the behavior. Smith said he understood, and his behavior toward the student became more professional.
"The letter basically states that in a conversation with teachers, some expressed concern with (Smith's) interaction with female students," Craig said.
But this week, Craig acted when community members told school officials Smith was meeting the student away from school.
Craig and Dattero declined to disclose the student's age.
Smith had been SRO at Reidsville High School since March 2006. The offenses happened in November, according to a police report. He is scheduled to make a first appearance in Rockingham County District Court on March 24.