Use of Police Trained Drug Sniffing Dogs on Campus Program
January 10, 2008
November 14, 2007
The Torrance Unified School District remains concerned about the increased incidence of drug related disciplinary action taken over the past few years. We have processed 72 expulsions for drug use, sale, or possession over the past four years. While existing staff has been successful at intervening and apprehending drug offenders, we remain concerned that a number of secondary students continue to participate in drug related activities.
We have been working with the Torrance Police Department to explore additional steps we might take to head off this problem and have determined that the use of drug sniffing dogs could be an effective deterrent. We have reached an agreement with the Torrance Police Department to use their services to be used on our middle and high school campuses. Searches will be random and unannounced. Dogs will not be in contact with students or adults and will be under the direction of a trained canine officer at all times.
If a dog identifies an illegal substance in the course of a search, the property will be held and school authorities will investigate by privately meeting with and searching the student and belongings. Parents will be notified and, if necessary, police action will follow. School discipline rules outlined in the District Discipline Matrix (Administrative Regulation 5144) will be followed.
We anticipate at least one search per site during the 2007-08 school year. We feel that this cooperative action on the part of the District, Torrance Police Department, and the community will help us in our efforts to eliminate drug activity on our campuses.
Board Policy 5145.12(b) states:
In an effort to keep the schools free of drugs, the District may use specially trained nonaggressive dogs to sniff out and alert staff to the presence of substances prohibited by law or Board policy. The dogs may sniff the air around lockers, desks, or vehicles on District property or at District-sponsored events as long as they are not allowed to sniff within close proximity of any students.
