School Administrators - Student Interviews and Questioning. School administrators have the responsibility to oversee the proper and efficient operation of their schools. Students should be educated in a safe, secure, and supervised environment. Utah law defines “in loco parentis” in Utah Code Xxx. § 53E-6-703 as “the power of professional school personnel to exercise the rights, duties, and responsibilities of a reasonable, responsible parent in dealing with students in school-related matters.” Accordingly, school administrators are free to communicate, interview, and question students for any academic and non-academic matters, including, but not limited to, issues relating to school and student safety, policy compliance and violations, student discipline, etc.
School Administrators - Student Interviews and Questioning. School administrators are free to communicate, interview, and question students for any academic and non- academic matters, including, but not limited to, issues relating to school and student safety, policy compliance and violations, student discipline, etc.
1. School administrators will allow the SRO to inspect and copy any public records, including student “directory information,” maintained by the school to the extent allowed by state and federal law and School District policy.
2. If some information in a student’s educational record is needed in an emergency to protect the health or safety of the student or others, school administrators will disclose to the SRO the information that is needed to respond to the emergency situation based on: (i) the seriousness of the threat to the health or safety of an individual; (ii) the need of the information to meet the emergency situation; and (iii) the extent to which time is of the essence.
School Administrators - Student Interviews and Questioning. School administrators have the responsibility to oversee the proper and efficient operation of their schools. Students should be educated in a safe, secure, and supervised environment. Utah law defines “in loco parentis” in Utah Code Xxx., Section 53E-6-703 as “the power of professional school personnel to exercise the rights, duties, and responsibilities of a reasonable, responsible parent in dealing with students in school-related matters.” Accordingly, school administrators are free to communicate, interview, and question students for any academic and non-academic matters, including, but not limited to, issues relating to school and student safety, policy compliance and violations, student discipline, etc. In addition, school personnel have a legal responsibility and protocol in cooperating with the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and law enforcement officials relating to suspected child abuse or neglect. If a student arrest is warranted, the SRO shall use the least disruptive and the least intrusive manner reasonably available to conduct the arrest. The SRO shall not use physical force or restraints on a student, including handcuffs, tasers, xxxx, or other physical or chemical restraints unless a student’s actions pose a threat to the safety of the student, the SRO or others. The SRO should be accompanied by a school principal or assistant principal, if available, when arresting a student unless exigent circumstances require otherwise for the safety of the student, the SRO, and/or others. The SRO shall notify a parent as soon as possible when minor students are issued a criminal citation or arrested on school property.
