ACTC welcomes John Daniels as new Safety & Security Compliance Specialist
Published on Nov 13, 2026
Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) is proud to welcome John Daniels as the Safety & Security Compliance Specialist.
With more than 26 years of experience in public safety and law enforcement, Daniels brings extensive knowledge and an established connection to the college, where he currently serves as an adjunct instructor in the criminal justice program and previously served as a school resource officer.
“I went to ACTC myself, so teaching here gave me a chance to give back to a college that helped me along the way,” Daniels said. “This new role gives me a chance to serve the whole college and build on the relationships I’ve made here as an instructor and school resource officer.”
His career in public safety began long before his first position in law enforcement. At just 15 years old, Daniels joined the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department as a junior firefighter. That early experience eventually led him to a career spanning multiple areas of public safety, from emergency communications to patrol and law enforcement leadership.
After spending four years as a dispatcher with the Kentucky State Police and two years with the Greenup County Sheriff’s Department, he joined the Boyd County Sheriff’s Department.
Over nearly 20 years with the department, he served as a patrol deputy, school resource officer, street-level drug enforcement officer, patrol sergeant, chief deputy and acting sheriff. He also worked as a school resource sergeant at ACTC. Most recently, he served as a patrol officer with the Catlettsburg Police Department.
Along the way, Daniels also developed a strong connection to the college as a student. A Fairview High School graduate, he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in criminal justice from ACTC, along with a certificate in law enforcement.
He later completed training through the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training at Eastern Kentucky University and earned Kentucky Peace Officer Professional Standards certification.
He is currently working toward a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration at Franklin University, with graduation expected in May.
That connection brought him back to ACTC in fall 2025 as an adjunct instructor in the criminal justice program.
Teaching courses such as Criminal Law, Criminal Investigations, Criminal Procedures, Issues and Ethics in Policing, and Introduction to Law Enforcement has allowed him to share the practical knowledge he gained throughout his career with students preparing to enter the field.
“One of my favorite parts of teaching is bringing real examples from my career into the classroom and hearing how students would handle the same situations,” Daniels said. “Being able to be part of preparing future law enforcement officers, correction officers, and other divisions of the criminal justice system is very rewarding to me.”
He now looks forward to applying that same experience and approach across the college in his new position.
As Safety and Security Compliance Specialist, Daniels will oversee daily campus security operations, supervise contracted security officers, review incidents and reports, identify safety concerns, and coordinate emergency procedures, training and drills. He will also work alongside local law enforcement and emergency responders to support the safety of the college community.
Daniels says one of his first goals is to spend time at each campus, getting to know students and employees, listening to their concerns and evaluating current safety procedures. He says he wants the college community to understand not only what to do when an emergency occurs but also who they can turn to when something doesn't feel right.
For Daniels, those everyday interactions are an important part of creating a safe campus. Whether someone needs help finding a classroom or has a concern about walking to their vehicle after an evening class, he says he wants students and employees to feel comfortable asking for help.
“Teaching has made me a better listener,” Daniels said. “I try to bring that same mindset to campus safety by asking questions and hearing people out before deciding how to respond.”
As he begins this next chapter at ACTC, Daniels says he hopes to bring more than his law enforcement experience to the position. He wants to build trust, remain accessible and help ensure the college is a place where everyone feels comfortable and secure.
“I want people at ACTC to know me well enough to stop me in the hallway and tell me what’s on their mind,” Daniels said. “I want everyone at ACTC to feel as safe on campus as they do in their own living room. When people feel safe and at ease, students can focus on learning, and faculty can focus on teaching.”
