Emergency contact is through the Avery Commuications 911-Center in Newland:
(828) 733-3920 or 911 in Avery County.
After-hours contact is also through Avery County Communications Center. NCIC access is through
NC DCI, Terminal ID (TID) is ACA.
Avery County Schools Law Enforcement Resource Office, ORI: NC0060800
Mission of Avery County School System law enforcement office:
Provide protection to students, staff, visitors and school campuses throughout Avery County. The School
Resource Officer (SRO) is on-call 24 & 7 at 9 schools on 8 campuses and a central office, over 350
employees and over 2400 students, plus daily visitors and at school events.
Service is provided by community-oriented policing including foot patrols, vehicular patrols,
response to calls, investigations, court appearances, enforcement actions, classroom presentations
and community service. Professional development is stressed through continuous training offered by:
NC Justice Academy, Community Colleges and federal sources. Agency and officer(s)adhere to the highest
standards of ethics, service and commitment.
School Resource Officers set the standard for students' impression of all law enforcement officers.
Thus, professional conduct both on and off duty must be of the highest caliber.
All law enforcement officers commissioned under GS 74E by the NC Attorney General, must not only
meet minimum standards of police commission and sheriff's commission-certified peace officers,
they must exceed these professional standards.
Current Chief John A. Millan has 12 years with the school system and over 23 years in law enforcement,
including service as a military policeman, detention officer, state trooper, municipal patrol officer,
municipal sergeant and county detective prior to being appointed chief. He has a degree in Criminal
Justice Management, is a state, federal and military instructor-trainer; part of the staff of Mayland
Community College. The Chief's certificates are from both the NC Sheriff's Commission and NC Police
Standards. He also holds NC Justice Academy's School Resource Officer Certificate and Criminal
Investigation Certificate.
Chief Millan retired from The Army National Guard in May of 2006, after a 21-month activation,
including a tour in Iraq. He served as a Master Sergeant for over 24 years in the active and
reserve components of the US Army and Marine Corps.
Chief Millan (MSG Millan) can be reached at:
johnmillan@averyschools.net
Officer Mike Darcy of the Beech Mountain Police Department is also an Avery County special deputy
sheriff. He is also detailed to the school system part-time. Officer Darcy has been in law enforcement
for over ten years and worked as interim SRO in the 05-06 school year. He previously worked in public
safety through the Watauga County School System.
Avery County Schools Law Enforcement personnel work closely with Avery law enforcement agencies that
have concurrent jurisdiction on school campuses the County, including the County Sheriff, municipal
police departments, the NC Highway Patrol and the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division.
School personnel, county and local elected officials, emergency personnel and parents meet monthly
to address school safety issues. Law enforcement, fire, rescue, EMS and hospital personnel from
throughout Avery County train annually under sponsorship of Mayland Community College, at various
school campuses in a simulated school crisis response drill to be prepared in the event of an
emergency anywhere in the district.
The Avery County Schools Special Police also chartered and sponsors a law enforcement explorer
post for motivated and civic-minded young adult men and women who are interested in the criminal
justice field.
