FILE:  JCABC

STUDENT INTERROGATION

The Cameron Parish School Board fully recognizes the responsibility law enforcement has to protect all citizens by enforcing the laws of the community.  The Board in turn has the responsibility to protect the students attending the schools of this parish.  Therefore, law enforcement officers may visit the school (whether at the invitation of school officials or for reasons of their own) in search of information or in executing the warrants for search and/or arrests.  Any law enforcement official entering school premises, however, shall be required to report first to the office of the principal, state his/her purpose, and produce identification and warrants, if any, unless exigent circumstances exist.  Absent exigent circumstances, a student in school shall not be interrogated or interviewed by law enforcement officers without the knowledge of a school official.  School personnel shall attempt to notify parents prior to interrogation, search or arrest of a child and this notification shall be documented; however, law enforcement officers can proceed with their duties in accordance with law. Parental consent will be obtained prior to interrogation, search or arrest of a child under seventeen years of age except when exigent circumstances exist.  Although it is recommended that parents be notified prior to any search, interrogation, or arrest of a student; and that this notification be documented, any student of the age of seventeen years or older is an adult in the eyes of the law, and can be questioned without having a parent or other adult present and without parental consent.  At school, a student may only be questioned by law enforcement officers in private and if under the age of seventeen, shall be entitled to have an adult present in connection with any investigation.

A student may be released to the custody of law enforcement officers if placed under arrest by legal authority.  If the student is removed from the school by legal authority, parents shall be notified of such action by school officials as soon as possible.  Police authority shall have no right to question students in the school building or to use the school facilities in connection with official police work unless called upon by the school to investigate a possible crime or unless exigent circumstances exist.

This student interrogation policy shall not apply to investigations concerning child abuse.  Any investigation of child abuse by an authorized investigator on school premises shall receive full cooperation from all school personnel. Admission of the investigator on school premises or access to the child in school shall not be denied by school officials, however authorized investigators shall be required to report first to the office of the principal, state his/her purpose, and produce identification prior to interrogating a student.

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann §17:81

La. Children's Code, Art. 601, 603, 609, 610

Cameron Parish School Board