JCAC: Interrogation and Investigations

Building administrators, and others designated by the superintendent, may conduct investigations and question students about infractions of school rules or the student conduct code.

If there is reason to believe a violation of a criminal law has been committed, the principal shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and may request further investigation of the alleged violation.

Coordination with Law Enforcement

School administrators may meet periodically with local law enforcement officials to discuss the district's policies and rules regarding law enforcement contacts with the district.

Investigations Conducted by Law Enforcement Officers

When law enforcement officers conduct an investigation and/or question a student(s) during school hours, the building principal shall make a reasonable attempt to contact parents, guardian or representative of the student(s) prior to questioning. Notification or attempted notification of parents, guardian or representative shall be documented by the administrator involved. If a student's parents, guardian or representative is not present during questioning of a student, the principal may be present.

Child Abuse Investigations Conducted by Law Enforcement Officers

The administration shall cooperate with law enforcement officers who are conducting investigations of suspected child abuse. For any investigations concerning known or suspected child abuse, school staff shall follow the procedures outlined in board policy GAAD instead of the requirements of this policy.

Law Enforcement Initiated Investigations at School

In cases not involving the investigation of known or suspected child abuse, law enforcement officers shall not be permitted to initiate and conduct investigations involving the questioning of students during school hours unless the student's parent or guardian has given the school permission to allow the questioning, a valid warrant has been presented to the principals for such purpose, or in demonstrated emergency situations. If a demonstrated emergency is found, the principal shall require identification of law enforcement officials and reasons for the interrogation or investigation of a student. If the principal is not satisfied with either the identification or the reason, the request shall not be granted. The principal shall attempt to notify the superintendent and the officer's superiors of the reasons for the refusal.

Violations of Criminal Law

Information on criminal conduct shall be turned over to law enforcement officials.

Taking Students Into Custody

Students shall not be voluntarily released by school officials to law enforcement authorities unless the student has been placed under arrest or taken into custody by law enforcement or DCF. Except as otherwise specified in this policy, reasonable effort shall be made to notify the student's parents, guardian or representative when students are removed from school for any reason by law enforcement authorities. Parents shall not be notified by school officials when their child is taken into custody by DCF and/or law enforcement as a result of allegations of abuse or neglect. If a student is taken into custody by a campus police officer, school administrators shall also make a good-faith effort to contact parents. Notification efforts shall be documented.

When a student has been taken into custody or arrested on school premises without prior notification to the building principal, the school staff present shall ask the law enforcement officer to notify the principal of the circumstances as quickly as possible and shall themselves contact the principal with any information they have regarding the child being taken into custody.

Disturbance of School Environment

Law enforcement officers may be requested to assist in controlling disturbances at school and if necessary to take students or other persons into custody.