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Administrative Procedure

AP-911 — Student Interviews with External Agencies

Section Nine: Students
Effective Date: November 29, 2021 Last Reviewed: —

Preamble

Grasslands School Division is committed to working with parents, the RCMP, and other child protection agencies to ensure that its schools are safe places.

The division recognizes the need and the value of cooperation with the RCMP and the need to have clearly identified practices for any non-school personnel interviewing students at school. It is also essential that parents and/or guardians be made aware of school division policy in this area and be kept informed of interviews in all cases except when there is concern about abuse. When immediate action is required to protect an individual or individuals, parents or guardians may be contacted later.

Procedures

  1. Police Interviews:
    1. All visits or inquires must be made through the principal.
    2. Principals will request to see identification. If identification is not in order, the person should not be allowed to meet with any student and the matter should immediately be reported to the police. If in doubt, contact your local RCMP department to verify request.
    3. If the reason for the interview does not involve a matter of imminent threat/harm or arrest, the principal may refuse the interview to happen during school time.
    4. When RCMP find it necessary to interview a student on school premises, the principal will attempt to contact parents or guardians, prior to the interview, except where the investigation involves the parent or guardian.
    5. There may be occasion where police remove a student to be interviewed off site. Unless the matter involves the custodial parent/guardian, the principal shall advise the parent/guardian that the police have taken their child off site to interview them and give the name and phone number of the police officer.
  2. Student Arrest at School:
    1. If a student is to be arrested by police, whether under warrant or otherwise, the principal will assist the police in a manner that is least disruptive.
    2. The principal shall request that the officer and student leave school premises immediately upon carrying out the arrest or apprehension.
    3. The RCMP will notify a parent/guardian their child has been arrested or apprehended.
  3. Searches:
    1. Student lockers belong to the school, not to the student. Since students have been made aware that school lockers are the property of the school, the locker is subject to search at any time, without notification.
    2. School administration may ask students to remove contents of their jackets, backpacks or other personal possessions, but shall not request invasive removal of clothing.
    3. If any illicit substance, prohibited goods or dangerous materials are detected within school property, as a result of a search of the school, school administration and/or the R.C.M.P. will deal with the appropriate student. In all cases, the parents or legal guardians of the student will be notified.
    4. Teachers may seize student property when:
      1. that property may be admissible as evidence in subsequent criminal proceedings and is immediately given to the police; or
      2. that property is prohibited by school rules. Such property shall be retained in a secure manner and returned to the student in accordance with school rules.
  4. Interviews by Child Intervention Practitioners (Children's Services):
    1. When Children's Services find it necessary to visit a school to interview a student, they shall report to the principal, provide appropriate identification, and provide a letter indicating the need to interview the child. Where possible, the Child Intervention Practitioner will make known the nature of the investigation and indicate why the interview must be conducted.
    2. If the matter is urgent and there is a need to conduct the interview during school hours, the principal or designate shall facilitate access to the child.
    3. Prior to the interview with the student, the principal is to receive assurance and clarification from the Child Intervention Practitioner about when and how the parent or legal guardians will be informed about the interview, if it involves students under the age of 18.
    4. The responsibility of notifying parents or guardians rests with Children's Services or RCMP. The plan for notification must be communicated with the principal.
    5. The principal will consult with the Child Intervention Practitioner to determine whether or not it is in the best interests of the child to have a staff member sit in on the interview. It is important to note, that any staff member sitting in on an interview could be compelled to testify in court.
    6. Children's Services authorities have the power to apprehend the child where there is sufficient evidence to suggest the child's need of protection.
    7. Breaches to these procedures should be reported immediately to the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services.