Reporting Threatening Behavior, Policy No. 488

Printable PDF Board Policy 488

Reports to Law Enforcement

All technology center officers, employees and board members have a legal obligation under Oklahoma law to report to law enforcement verbal threats or acts of threatening behavior which reasonably have the potential to endanger students, technology center personnel or technology center property. Under this policy, “Threatening Behavior” means any verbal threat or threatening behavior, whether or not it is directed at another person, which indicates potential for future harm to students, technology center personnel or technology center property. If a technology center official, employee or board member reasonably believes that a person has made a verbal threat or exhibited threatening behavior which has the potential to endanger students, technology center personnel or technology center property, and—given the immediacy of the behavior—it is reasonable to do so, the individual should first report the matter to technology center administration.

Reports to Site Administrator or Other Technology Center Officials

Instances of verbal threats or acts of threatening behavior which reasonably have the potential to endanger students, technology center personnel or technology center property should also be reported to the site administrator or other technology center official. This reporting obligation exists in all instances, including conduct at school or connected with technology center activities and conduct that happens off of technology center property. Accordingly, all employees have an obligation to notify the site administrator or other technology center official, if for any reason the employee believes that verbal threats or acts of threatening behavior have been made which reasonably have the potential to endanger students, technology center personnel or technology center property.

Immunity for Good Faith Reports

Oklahoma law provides that any technology center employee who in good faith makes a report to an appropriate law enforcement office has immunity from civil liability and employment discipline that might otherwise be incurred or imposed if the employee reasonably believes a person is making verbal threats or exhibiting threatening behavior.

Reference:         70 OKLA. STAT. § 24-100.8