The Orlando Police Department announced that a City of Orlando employee was arrested for having an inappropriate relationship with an underage student.
On February 6th, the Orlando Police Department School Resource Officer assigned to Jones High School was notified of an alleged inappropriate relationship involving an adult (suspect) and a subject who is under the age of 18 years old.
The suspect, identified as Darius Barker, is employed by the City of Orlando through the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative under Mayor Buddy Dyer, who has applauded the program and employees of the program in the past.
Barker was assigned to the ACE (Academic Center for Excellence) School in downtown Orlando, according to OPD.
Barker was a former Orlando Police Department officer who was assigned as a School Resource Officer at Jones High School. In July of 2022 Barker resigned under investigation (unrelated to this case) in lieu of termination.
This case is currently under investigation by The Orlando Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. The Orlando Police Department has notified Orange County Public Schools of this investigation.
This investigation is ongoing, according to law enforcement. Charges are pending. OPD is still encouraging anyone who has information related to this incident to contact the Orlando Police Department Special Victims Unit or pass on their information anonymously through Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
