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NO. 516
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EASTON AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
SECTION: CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYEES
TITLE:
SCHOOL POLICE OFFICERS
ADOPTED:
May 27, 2010
REVISED:
516. SCHOOL POLICE OFFICERS
1.
Purpose
The Board is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students and
staff while in school, at school functions, traveling to and from school and on school
property at anytime. It is the Board’s intent to ensure the protection of its real and
personal property.
2. Authority
SC 778
3. Delegation of
Responsibility
18 Pa. C.S.A.
Sec. 1 et seq.
The Board is authorized by law to hire school police officers and request that certain
powers be conferred upon such school police officers by the Northampton County
Court of Common Pleas.
The Board shall direct the solicitor to apply to a judge of the Northampton County
Court of Common Pleas to appoint a person(s) to act as a school police officer for the
district.
The Board authorizes the applications for the granting of the following powers:
1.
The authority to enforce good order in school buildings and on school buses,
including but not limited to, vehicles used under transportation agreements with
third party contractors to transport students, on school grounds, at bus stops,
and at school functions.
2.
The authority to exercise the same powers exercised under authority of law or
ordinance by the municipal police of the legal entities comprising the district
including but not limited to:
a.
The issuance of summary citations.
b.
The power to exercise arrest and citation power for violations of law.
c.
The authority to exercise arrest and citation power for violations of the
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
d.
To present those arrested before a district justice juvenile probation officer,
mental health facility, or other court of record and proffer charges against
the arrested individual under the law of the Commonwealth.
e.
To exercise all powers conferred by the Northampton County Court of
Common Pleas on district property within their jurisdiction.
f.
To possess firearms while on duty providing and conditioned upon the
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SC 778
53 Pa. C.S.A.
Sec. 2161 et seq.
4. Guidelines
school police officer successfully completing a training course in the use
and handling of firearms when they have obtained the requisite Act 120
Pennsylvania Municipal Police Education and Training, annual municipal
police training updates, annual firearms qualification, and any other training
mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for continued certification
as a school police officer in this Commonwealth.
3.
The authority to use reasonable force in accordance with Title 18 Pennsylvania
Crimes Code Section 508, Use of force in law enforcement, Section 509, Use of
force by persons with special responsibility for the care, discipline or safety of
others, and Section 505, Use of force in self-protection.
1.
An applicant must be appointed by the Board, approved by the Court of
Common Pleas, and take the oath of office before the District Justice before
s/he is officially a school police officer.
2.
School police officers shall be under the supervision of the Chief of School
Police. The Chief of School Police shall be under the supervision of the
Superintendent or his/her designee.
3.
The Chief of School Police shall be responsible for the daily operation of the
School Police Department. The Chief of School Police shall have the following
primary responsibilities:
a.
Recommend to the Board additions to, and deletions from, the school police
officers' roster. The roster shall be continuously updated and reviewed
annually.
b.
Assign school police to district activities, weekend and night patrols, and
nonschool functions taking place on district property, as necessary, in
coordination with district administrative officials. Some events may not
require school police.
c.
Evaluate the performance of each school police officer in collaboration with
the administration and the Board.
d.
Recommend appropriate training for all officers.
e.
Assure that all training and certifications are up-to-date.
f.
Assure that all officers are properly uniformed and equipped.
g.
Maintain communication with all officers and, to the extent possible, use all
officers on the current roster by rotating duty assignments as appropriate.
h.
Periodically observe officers when on assignments for the purpose of officer
evaluation.
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