NCJ Number
123131
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Winter 1985) Pages: 24-27
Date Published
1985
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Judicial decisions and legislative actions are increasingly affecting school officials, who need to keep informed regarding such issues as trespassing, the use of metal detectors, surveillance, Miranda warnings, polygraph tests, fingerprinting, and drug testing.
Abstract
Schools should strictly enforce trespass laws and should include warning signs on their entrances. Schools are also allowed to use metal detectors, but they should regularly check and calibrate them. They should also check with legal authorities before making a decision regarding the use of closed-circuit cameras and undercover agents. In addition, they should be aware that the presence of police officers is not the determining factor in whether an interrogation of a student warrants the use of Miranda warnings. Moreover, they should consult their own State court rulings regarding the admissibility of polygraph tests of employees. Fingerprinting of employees also raises privacy issues, but is considered reasonable in the absence of a statutory prohibition. Finally, a drug testing program should be used for employment purposes rather than for prosecution. 22 reference notes.