I. Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies (Other Than Child Abuse Cases)

A. A law enforcement officer shall contact the principal upon entering a school building.

B. An officer may request and be granted such student information as address, telephone number, parents' names, date of birth and attendance information. Information contained in the student's cumulative folder and any supplementary records shall be available for inspection on evidence that a student is the subject of an investigation for a specific offense. The district shall release records when presented with a subpoena or court order. The district may release records to law enforcement officers without a subpoena provided that a responsible effort is made to notify the parent in advance of releasing the information.

C. While the district encourages interrogations of students to take place off school premises, the principal shall permit a law enforcement officer to conduct any necessary questioning. The principal shall cooperate with the officer and be either personally or have a designee present while the officer is conducting any investigation or interrogation.

D. If a student is under twelve years of age, the school shall require a parental waiver before allowing the interrogation to take place.

E. An officer is not required to have a warrant in order for the school to release the student into law enforcement custody. In the event a student is taken into custody by a law enforcement officer, a school authority will immediately attempt to notify the parent or guardian by telephone or in person if law enforcement officials do not.

II. Relations with Child Protective and Law Enforcement Agencies (Child Abuse Cases)

A. A child protective services worker and/or law enforcement officer shall contact the principal upon entering a school building.

B. A child protective worker may request and be granted such information as address, telephone number, parents' names, date of birth and attendance information. Information contained in the student's cumulative folder and any supplementary records shall be available for inspection on written evidence that a student is a ward of the state. When the student is the subject of an investigation involving child abuse or neglect, records will be released pursuant to Board Policy 3250 and Procedures 3250P (Student Records).

C. While the district encourages interviews of a student to take place off school premises, the principal shall permit a child protective worker to conduct any questioning when child abuse or neglect is involved. The principal and school staff shall cooperate fully during such investigations. Interviews shall be conducted in the presence of a professional staff member.

D. A child protective worker is required to have a warrant in order for the school to release custody of the student. However, if the child protective worker is accompanied by a law enforcement officer, no warrant shall be required. In the event a student is taken into custody, a school authority shall immediately attempt to notify the parent or guardian by telephone or in person if law enforcement officers do not.

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: May 1983
Revised by the Board: 11.03