SERIES 3000: OPERATIONS, FINANCE, AND PROPERTY
3100 General Operations
3107 Use of Detection Dogs
The District may use a detection dog, without a warrant or consent, to sniff property in an effort to locate illegal drugs or contraband according to the protocol below. A detection dog will not be used to search a person unless a warrant or appropriate consent has been obtained before the search or the search is otherwise authorized by law or Policy.
A. Protocol for Use of a Detection Dog
- A detection dog is only permitted on District property with prior written permission of the Superintendent or building principal or pursuant to a court order. If law enforcement seeks to bring a detection dog onto District property to comply with a court order, the Superintendent or building principal will request and retain a copy of the court order.
- A detection dog must be properly trained and reliable and must be handled by a law enforcement officer or other person qualified to handle the dog.
- The Superintendent or building principal will determine the location(s) where a detection dog will be used, in the absence of a warrant or court order specifying such location(s).
- Students and staff will be informed over the public address system and may be directed to remain in place or relocate to a different area during the use of the detection dog.
- If a detection dog alerts on a person’s property, the alert will constitute reasonable suspicion for a District administrator to search the property.
a. The administrator may first seek the person’s consent to search the property.
b. Absent consent, a search must be justified at its inception and reasonable in scope.
c. All searches of students must comply with Policy 5103, and the student’s parent/guardian will be notified of the search as soon as practicable after the search concludes.
d. If the driver of a vehicle on which a detection dog has alerted refuses to unlock the vehicle, the matter will be promptly referred to law enforcement. The driver may also be subject to discipline.
6. Anything found in the course of a search that is evidence of a violation of Policy, school rules, handbook, or federal or state law may be seized and admitted as evidence in any disciplinary proceeding. A District administrator will tag and identify any illegal drug, dangerous weapon, and other illegal item and promptly turn it over to law enforcement.
B. Notice to Students and Staff
The District will provide written notice to students and staff about this Policy as soon as practicable after its adoption by the Board and at the beginning of each school year.
Date Adopted: 08/09/2021
Date Revised:
