5145.12/5145.12R - Search and Seizure
Search and Seizure
1. Search of a Student and the Student’s Effects
A. Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures apply to searches conducted by public school officials. A student and his/her effects may be searched if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. The way the search is conducted should be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.
2. Search of a Locker, Desk and Other Storage Area
A. Lockers, desks and other storage areas provided by the school system for use by students are the property of the school system. Such storage areas are provided for the temporary convenience of students only. The Board of Education (the “Board”) authorizes the administration and/or law enforcement officials to search lockers and other school property available for use by students for the presence of weapons, contraband or the fruits of a crime if there are reasonable grounds at the inception of the search for suspecting that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. Moreover, the scope of the search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and shall not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.
B. If the school administration reasonably suspects that a student is not maintaining a locker or other storage area assigned to him/her in a sanitary condition, or that the storage area contains items the possession of which is illegal or in violation of school regulations or that endangers the health, safety or welfare of the student or others, it has the right to open and examine the storage area and to seize any such items that are found.
C. When required by law and otherwise at the option of the building principal, items that have been seized shall be submitted to the police department for proper disposition. Items not submitted to the police department shall be disposed of as directed by the building principal.
3. The decision to search shall be made by the principal or the principal's designee. The search shall be made in the presence of at least one witness. Discovery of illegal or dangerous materials shall be reported to the Office of the Superintendent.
4. Use of drug-detection dogs and metal detectors, similar detective devices; and/or breathalyzers and other passive alcohol screening devices may be used only on the express authorization of the Superintendent, in accordance with such procedures as the Superintendent may devise.
Legal References: Connecticut General Statutes
§ 10-221, Board of Education to prescribes rules, policies and procedures
§ 54-33n, Search of school locker and property
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)
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Revised: |
May 14, 2024 |
HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
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Adopted: |
July 12, 2004 |
Hamden, Connecticut |
5145.12R
Students
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REGARDING SEARCH AND SEIZURE
1. Search of a Student and the Student’s Effects
A. All searches of students shall be conducted or directed by an authorized school administrator, i.e., the principal or vice principal, in the presence of a witness.
B. A search of a student's handbag, gym bag, cellular telephone, personal electronic device or similar personal property carried by a student may be conducted if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will produce evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. A student's other effects are also subject to the same rule. Effects may include motor vehicles located on school property.
C. A search of a student's person may be conducted only if there are reasonable grounds at the inception of the search for suspecting that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. Moreover, the scope of the search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and shall not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction. Metal detectors, breathalyzers and/or drug sniffing dogs may be used to detect the presence of contraband, including weapons, drugs or alcohol, in furtherance of this policy and to the extent authorized by law.
D. Strip searches are prohibited except when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that such a search will produce evidence of conduct which places students, staff or school property in immediate danger. Such searches may be conducted at the request of the school principal, generally by a member of the police department. During such searches, a member of the school staff shall be present at all times as a witness, and both the police officer conducting the search and the witness shall be of the same sex as the student searched.
E. Any evidence of illegal conduct or conduct violative of the rules of the school produced as a result of searches according to these regulations shall be subject to seizure. Where required by law and otherwise at the option of the building principal, such evidence shall be submitted to the police department for proper disposition. Evidence not submitted to the police department shall be disposed of as directed by the building principal.
2. Search of a Locker, Desk and Other Storage Area
A. The Board of Education (the “Board”) provides lockers, desks, gym baskets and other storage areas in which students may keep and store personal belongings and materials provided by the Board. Such storage areas are the property of the Board.
B. No student shall keep or store personal belongings or materials provided by the Board in any storage area other than one provided by the Board and designated for the student’s use by the school administration.
C. Each student shall be responsible for maintaining any storage area assigned to the student for the student’s use in an orderly and sanitary condition.
D. No student shall keep or store in a storage area assigned to the student for the student’s use any item the possession of which is illegal or in violation of school regulations or that endangers the health, safety or welfare of self or others (such as matches, chemicals, ammunition, weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, etc.).
E. The use of lockers and other storage areas by students is a privilege. At all times such storage areas remain the property of the Board. If the school administration reasonably suspects that a student is not maintaining a storage area assigned to the student in a sanitary condition, or that the locker contains items the possession of which is illegal or in violation of school regulations or that endangers the health, safety or welfare of the student or others, it has the right to open and examine the storage area and to seize any such items that are found. The school administration may authorize law enforcement officials to search lockers/storage areas in accordance with Board Policy 5145.12, Section 2(A).
F. When required by law and otherwise at the option of the building principal, items that have been seized shall be submitted to the police department for proper disposition. Items not submitted to the police department shall be disposed of as directed by the building principal.
Legal References: Connecticut General Statutes
§ 10-221, Board of education to prescribes rules, policies and procedures
§ 54-33n, Search of school locker and property
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)