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Laurel schools were unaware of an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving a school police officer and a 16-year-old student until receiving media inquiries Friday, according to schools superintendent Linda Filpula.

Filpula said Monday that she confirmed the investigation with Laurel Police Chief Rich Musson on Friday, then requested that the school resource officer be suspended from the school until the investigation is complete.

The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation, city chief administrative officer Matthew Lurker said Monday.

School and city officials refused on Monday to release the officer's name or which school he worked at. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the city and the Laurel Police Department.

The department employs two school resource officers to provide school security in the district, one each at the middle and high schools.

Laurel Police Chief Rick Musson declined to discuss the investigation and referred all questions to Lurker.

Lurker declined to provide more specific details of the investigation Monday, other than the alleged misconduct occurred a year and a half ago and the student was 16 at the time.