March 5, 2026
City of Weirton Department of Police WC Kush Chief of Police 200 Municipal Plaza Weirton WV 26062
Superintendent Walt Saunders Hancock County Schools 130 Rockefeller Circle New Cumberland WV 26047
Dear Superintendent Saunders:
I am writing this letter in response to our conversation about the future of the Hancock County Schools PRO Program and the possible removal of one of our three full-time PROs. This would leave one PRO to cover two schools (Weir Middle & Weirton Elementary), I realize that the Hancock County Schools are having financial difficulties and that hard decisions need to be made. But, as the Chief of Police, and a resident of Hancock County, I believe it is my duty to inform you that removing any full-time PRO from the schools is a mistake which will result in school safety being compromised, Full-time PROs have daily contact with students and their presence deters violence, A PRO that is forced to provide part time security may not be present to stop an active threat which could have a catastrophic outcome. A PRO is trained to respond quickly to active threats and give critical real time information to responding officers.
Hancock County Board of Education have also recently implemented metal detectors at each school The PROs are present as students go through the detectors. If a weapon is detected the officers are trained on how to remove the weapon and handle it safely, They are also trained in the de-escalation of situations involving anyone found with a weapon or involved in criminal activity. If we are forced to have one PRO cover two schools, there will be no officer present to handle these potentially dangerous situations. This would force a school employee to have to deal with a found weapon.
Finally, part of the passed school safety levy was to continue providing full-time PROs at each school. I understand that you are forced to make cuts in the budget, but it should not be at the cost of school safety. I believe that the parents of Hancock County students deserve to know that their children are safe and secure while they attend school.
Respectfully
Chief Charlie Kush Weirton Police Department
