Interview and Removal From School of Students by Police Officers
Police officers have the right during the school day to interview students who are suspects or witnesses. School personnel should not unnecessarily hinder the release of a student to police officers. School personnel are not liable for releasing students for this purpose, or other legitimate law enforcement purposes, which require taking the pupil from the school if they are taken with “proper standard of care” which is defined below.
When a student is taken into police custody and removed from school during school hours, the school will inform the parent or guardian except in child abuse cases and will maintain a record of circumstances involved.
Students can be removed from school during school hours by law enforcement only under the following conditions:
- By properly identified representatives of law enforcement agencies who are making an arrest, with or without a warrant, presenting a warrant for the arrest of a pupil, or taking a student into custody without a warrant
- By properly identified representatives of law enforcement agencies when not making an arrest or taking a child into custody as stated above under the following conditions, with the express permission of the parent obtained prior to the release of the pupil and in cases of emergency, when the parents cannot be reached
- By properly identified representatives of a Child Protective Agency when taking a child into custody
- Principals must notify the Department of Catholic Schools if a student is removed from school by law enforcement or Child Protective Services.
