Revised: October 12, 1998
Revised: November 13, 2006
Revised: June 27, 2018
Revised: October 9, 2019
STUDENT INTERVIEWS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
The Evansville Community School District recognizes that cooperation with law enforcement agencies is necessary for the education and protection of students, for maintaining a safe environment in the District's schools and for safeguarding all school property. At the same time, the District recognizes its responsibility to protect the educational process and to provide for the concerns of parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding the welfare of their children.
Law enforcement officers shall be called to the school when laws may have been violated and in situations which threaten the safety of students, employees and/or the public. In these situations, students may be interviewed by law enforcement officers in accordance with Board policy, state statute and established procedures
Law enforcement-initiated student interviews that are not school-related shall not be conducted on school premises, except in extenuating circumstances or as specifically required by law. Law enforcement officers initiating such student interviews shall be requested to comply with District procedures.
Reasonable and appropriate attempts shall be made to notify parent(s)/guardian(s) of students interviewed by law enforcement officers. Parental/guardian consent for an interview or the presence of a parent/guardian during a police interview is encouraged but not required. The building principal or appropriate school designee shall be present during the law enforcement officer interview as determined appropriate by the building principal/designee and consistent with law enforcement agency standards.
All student interviews with law enforcement officials conducted on school premises shall receive prior approval of the building principal or designee. If a request for a student interview is denied, the building principal or designee shall state the reason for the denial. Law enforcement officials may appeal the decision made by the building principal or designee to the District Administrator.
This policy and implementing procedures are not applicable when law enforcement officers are investigating allegations due to mandated reporting obligations.
Legal Ref.: Sections: 48.19 Wisconsin Statutes (Taking a Child Into Custody)
48.981(3)(c) (Abused or Neglected Children and Abused Unborn Children)
118.125(2) (Pupil Records)
118.257(2) (Liability for Referral to Police)
950.045 (Accompaniment by a Victim Advocate)
Act 143 - Mandatory Reporting of Threats of School Violence
Local Ref.: Policy #445.1 – Conducting Student-Law Enforcement Interviews on School Premises Administrative Rule
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