Student Interviews and Interrogations, Policy No. 547

Printable PDF Board Policy 547

Should it become necessary for a member of a law enforcement agency or a social service agency to talk with a student and/or school personnel during the school day, the following procedures shall be observed to protect the rights of all parties involved.

In the event of an emergency which necessitates that law enforcement be contacted, law enforcement personnel may use whatever legal means are necessary to ensure the safety of all district students, patrons and employees.

In non-emergency situations, such as when law enforcement personnel wish to question a student or employee, law enforcement personnel must coordinate their business through the appropriate administrator’s office. The administrator is authorized to summon the student or employee to a private area so that law enforcement personnel may conduct a private interview. If the interview involves a minor student, an administrator will attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian prior to the interview. However, the inability to reach the student’s parent or guardian will not prevent the interview from being conducted. An administrator may remain present during the interview of a minor student to ensure compliance with the student’s rights but may not participate in the interview. Students will not be removed from campus unless the student is being arrested or being placed in protective custody.

Child welfare workers wishing to interview minor students about suspected abuse or neglect must also coordinate their business through the appropriate administrator’s office. The administrator or designee is authorized to summon the student to a private area so that the child welfare personnel may conduct a private interview. The administrator or designee will ask the child welfare worker whether a parent/guardian may be contacted and/or whether a school official may be present for the interview, and school officials must comply with those instructions. Child welfare workers wishing to remove any student from school property must have a properly signed court order or be accompanied by local law enforcement for the removal of the student.

Reference: OKLA. STAT. tit. 10A § 1-2-105