Engaging, Educating, Serving and Protecting: Our Own Corporal Hoyland
In 2005, this public servant graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, and he has held a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Slippery Rock University since 2013. For the past 16 years, Cpl. James Hoyland has proudly displayed his badge with the City of New Castle Police Department in New Castle, PA. Currently serving as Team Leader for Lawrence County Critical Incident Response Team, he is a Field Training Officer and Defense Tactics/Use of Force Instructor. Returning to his undergraduate alma mater, Hoyland works as an instructor with the IUP Police Academy. Since 2019, he has happily added to his title, “SRO of Lawrence County Career and Technical Center” and Chief of School Police with Laurel School District. For approximately 400 students and at LCCTC, we simply call him “Corporal Hoyland.”
“As a little kid, I thought that being a cop was pretty cool,” Hoyland recalls. “As an adult, I realize that the act of being able to help people is what is most rewarding,” and the LCCTC community and beyond are blessed because of this.
ENGAGING Cpl Hoyland is truly there for the kids. Students look to him for strong, steady guidance when family troubles arise and he makes himself not only available but approachable whenever a student needs to talk. Each morning, he creates a strong presence as he greets the students when they enter the building. Professional but approachable, he makes himself visible in the hallways and during lunches. He’ll chat with the kids about anything from cars to making good choices, shooing them to get to class on time, and to “go learn something.” He has joined in during gym classes and as a strong presence during Staff vs. Student volleyball tournaments. He is ever-present for school formals and evening activities like open houses and Fall Flannel Fest. Of course, he couldn’t miss being there for our students on their final night with graduation, as he makes a trustworthy candidate for kids to say, “Here — hold my purse . . . my shoes . . .”
EDUCATING Cpl. Hoyland connects with students with his friendly demeanor and willingness to take an active part in their education. When asked to contribute to a The Future is Mine (TiFM) Talk, there was no hesitation for him to share what it takes to become a police officer. During this talk, he shared, “I watched CHIPS when I was young, and I wanted to be just like Ponch and John — saving people and making a difference.” After he finished explaining what the ‘70s drama television show was all about, he continued educating his audience about what it was like being a police officer. As he ensures that LCCTC’s students are safe, he often stops in a classroom or shop to gauge the situation, and if students are collaboratively working, he’ll interact with them by participating in the lesson; kids and teachers, alike, welcome it when he takes on the role of “guest student” for a few moments, demonstrating how their education is important to him by engaging in the lesson. Of course, there are times when a student has questions that require his expertise. Well-versed in law, he maintains a professional boundary but he does so with the care and understanding needed to avoid exacerbating the situation.
SERVING He lives a life of service to his community; within the LCCTC community, he has volunteered to lead our principal, dressed as a giant blow-up chicken, from class to class to pass out Halloween candy. He sat in a medical cot during student-blood drives and a cosmetology chair to be a live model as he sheds his “No-Shave November” beard. He actively supports student-extra-curricular activities, selling meat sticks and candy bars for SkillsUSA: He has been "pied in the face" to raise money for Turkey Boxes benefiting our student-body families. And when a queen candidate had a last-minute cancellation from her date, Cpl. Hoyland stepped up to guide her into place during the Holiday Court introductions, later proving that he can line-dance with the best of them! Living a life of service, he leads by example to establish a yearly “Shop with This Cop” shopping trip with LCCTC students to restock the Student Clothes Closet meeting the call for kids in need.
PROTECTING Cpl has taken an active role in training the staff of LCCTC during intruder drills. He stays on top of his training through both virtual and in-person workshops. He is a physical presence in the school, but he maintains an air of professional approachability so that students trust that — even in this world where evil exists — he will do everything in his power to make sure we are safe. We are all assured that, if the need ever arises, Cpl. Hoyland will be there to protect the school and everyone in it.
There are so many daily good turns that Cpl Hoyland does to make our LCCTC community a better place — most he does without notice because he does them — not for the pats upon the back — for the good of the LCCTC community.
The students, teachers, and administration like him. They trust him. They respect him. Without a doubt, Cpl James Hoyland is a true member of the LCCTC family, and we are blessed to call him “Our Own Corporal Hoyland.”
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“How has Corporal Hoyland made a positive difference in your life? Corporal Hoyland is being nominated for the “Sgt. Mike Hayes School Resource Officer of the Year Award”. If you would like to share how Cpl. Hoyland has positively influenced your life, we encourage you to select “like” or send your comments here: https://forms.gle/3L5U2RmbXH7zaJa3A We’ll be sure to forward your endorsement on to the committee.
See what our students have to say about Corporal Hoyland:
Joseph Hurd, 2022 ~ “He should give us a life talk at graduation!”
Kayla Kelly, 2023 ~ “He makes sure that everyone is safe and has everything they need at any time. He’s always there for us through everything, and he protects us.”
Natalie Foster, 2022 ~ “He educates us whenever and wherever he can. He acts as a mentor to us!”
Halie Diffenbacher ~ “He creates a bond between him and the students so that we feel more comfortable coming to him about any situation — be it an issue at home, at school, with relationships, etc. He makes the students know that there are good officers out there and he never puts down a student about an issue either. He will do everything in his power to help any student.”
Briana Hernandez, 2022 ~ “You can tell him anything and he will help you figure it out and help with the problem.”
Timmy Fishel, 2022 ~ “He interacts with the students and makes them feel safe.”
Angelina Walker, 2022 ~ “He is nice to every student and always makes it a fun time when he’s around. He’s like a friend to everybody at school.”
Parker Frelin, 2022 ~ “During my senior year, I began to have a struggle with bullies and mental health. Cpl Hoyland took time out of his day to get to know me as a person to be able to help me through my situation. I know many people in the school that he has helped in the same way. He is an empathetic, caring individual. I feel safe knowing he is in the school.”
Alexis Pulliam, 2022 ~ “He makes our community a better place by making us feel safe, not only to keep us safe from others but from ourselves. He’s a person who you can count on to talk to and who gives you high-fives. He has fun and cares a lot, but he also takes his job very seriously and handles it well.”
Kaitlyn Bober, 2022 ~ “He goes out of his way to be nice to everyone, and he helps in any way possible.”
Madison Guntrun, 2022 ~ “He makes LCCTC better because he makes sure he knows kids by their name. He makes sure everyone’s safe and always says good morning.”
Shawn Barr, 2022 ~ “He makes it a better place by interacting with kids and making them laugh. He is also willing to help kids who are troubled and to make their lives better.”
Kaitlynne Burke, 2022 ~ “He’s always willing to help.”
Hayleigh Graham, 2022 ~ “He’s an awesome person to be around. He is amazing at his job, and he deserves the best.”
Olivia Gaus, 2023 ~ “He shows real dedication to serving the school and keeping people safe.”
Taytum Trimble, 2024 ~ “He makes the community better because he’s always there for the students. He always makes sure nothing bad is happening. He is just always caring and supportive!”
Jesse Gasser, 2024 ~ “He is the best at his job and he’s good at keeping the school running great.”
Kortel Marshall, 2024 ~ “He truly cares about our well-being, and he treats us with respect. He cares about the kids in the school.”
Ryan Gajewski, 2021 ~ “Although I don’t talk to him often, he is very kind and loves the students at LCCTC as though they were his own.”
Adrien DiVitto, 2024 ~ “He also helps them by being there when people are in serious need of help.”
Rylee Rennels, 2023 ~ “He knows his job. He makes sure we are safe, and I’m glad he’s around!”
Leanna Miller, 2024 ~ “He has always been there for all the kids at our school. He makes us all feel safe at school, and he handles all problems quickly and professionally. No matter what might go on, I never feel unsafe when he is there. He doesn’t abuse his power, and he is always there to make sure everything is safe. I really couldn’t imagine feeling the same safety at school without him. He has always been a friend to all the kids and made us all feel welcome.”
Kamara Douglas, 2022 ~ “Honestly — he cares for all of us. He talks with us and has fun with us, but if we mess up, he’s strict when he needs to be. He’s amazing-funny, smart, and caring.”
Wyatt Turpin, 2023 ~ “He makes sure the situation is secure, and he de-escalates whenever necessary.”
Mercedes Dunn, 2024 ~ “He’s there for every single one of us whenever there’s an issue that needs to be handled. He’s amazing.”
Jaden Micco, 2021 graduate ~ “Cpl Hoyland shows how he truly cares for the students, no matter what the situation is. From relationship advice, family drama, or heated tempers, he always seems to say and do the right thing to make it better in the end.”