Sniffer Dog

Protocol for Use of Sniffer Dogs #3045:

• The superintendent, or the building principal with the superintendent’s permission, may initiate the use of specially trained sniffer dogs to conduct an inspection.

• The administration will contact the canine provider and/or the appropriate law enforcement agency to schedule the use of a sniffer dog or dogs.  The administration shall require an assurance from the provider that any sniffer dogs to be used in the school have been properly trained, and may request evidence of the training and/or certification of the dogs.  In no event will the school district authorize a sniffer dog to sniff any person.

• The superintendent or if designated by the superintendent, the building principal, and law enforcement representatives or canine provider will confer regarding the specific plan of areas to be inspected.  The plan may involve any or all school building facilities, vehicles in the school parking lot, or other areas where student and staff vehicles are parked on school property during or after school hours.

• If the inspection is scheduled for a day when school is in session, students and staff will be informed over the public address system, and will be directed to remain in their rooms until given further directions.

• During the inspection, administrators may assign personnel to designated areas as deemed appropriate to assist in the smooth handling of the inspection.

• After the inspection is finished, students and staff will be notified over the public address system, and will be thanked for their cooperation.

• If the sniffer dog alerts, the alert will constitute reasonable cause for the administration to conduct a search of the property.  If the sniffer dog alerts on a vehicle on school grounds, the owner will be required to unlock the vehicle doors and trunk for further inspection of the interior of the vehicle. If the owner refuses to unlock the vehicle, the matter will be turned over to law enforcement authorities.  The owner will be subject to disciplinary action as specified in board policy and/or the student or staff handbook or as otherwise allowed by law.  This may include discipline for the refusal to obey an administrative directive.

• Any illegal drugs or contraband found on school grounds, whether in a desk, locker, vehicle, or any other place on school grounds, will be confiscated and turned over to law enforcement authorities.  A student’s parents will be contacted.  The individual will be subject to disciplinary action as specified in board policy and/or the student or staff handbook or as otherwise allowed by law.

• At the conclusion of the inspection, school officials will confer with the canine provider and/or any law enforcement authorities who were involved in the inspection to review the results of the inspection.  The administration may authorize any follow-up inspections or other action deemed appropriate.

NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND STAFF

Students and staff shall be informed of the District's policy regarding the use of sniffer dogs as soon as practicable after the adoption of this policy.  Thereafter, students and staff shall be informed of the policy at the beginning of the school year.  By this policy and/or via the provision in the student or staff handbook, students and staff are specifically notified that:

• Lockers may be sniffed by sniffer dogs at any time.

• Vehicles parked on school property may be sniffed by sniffer dogs at any time.

• Classrooms and other common areas may be sniffed by sniffer dogs at any time students and staff are not present.

• If contraband of any kind is found, the student or staff member shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.