A random drug dog search is just that random! Invariably when the drug dog shows up at your school, you
immediately get into search and prevention mode. As assistant principals you are in “go mode”
the moment you enter the school building. You don’t know what to expect on some
days at any given moment. You are on
roller skates the whole day. Your “to do list” gets shot to “HE double hockey
sticks!” It is because your first priority is always students! You maybe in an ARD, in a parent-conference meeting,
conducting walk-thrus, seeking information out on a referral, or are engaged with a student in your office. The
moment though the drug dog shows up at your office door, you need to stop
everything! It is essential to establish systems, and policies and procedures
in place in order to bring some sanity into your day, and give you a sense of
accomplishment.
Drug
dog handlers are cut from a different cloth. But you know, they have a passion
for their animal. They have spent tons on training and lots of time, personal
and professional, with their dog. Drug dog handler’s procedures and protocols
for searches and of course dog search companies have different protocols. It is
essential to know who your drug dog handler is on that particular day and
respect their procedure and their animal. Some handlers won’t allow you to pet
their animal, as much as you want, or of course allow the students to pet the
animal. How the handler handles a
search in a classroom could vary. When you conduct a vehicle search it maybe the handler who
does the search, or many times because the vehicle in on school property, the
assistant principal conducts the search.
It is essential when a
handler first visits your campus; you hold a conversation with them about the
procedures of the search. In particular when you enter a classroom, what are
the instructions to the students, where in the hallway to do they want the
students, if the dog hits on something, backpack, jacket, etc. what is the protocol
at that point. When you have the
students exit a classroom into a hallway they are supervised at all times
either with a fellow A.P. or a teacher. The students are told to leave their
cell phones in their pockets or purses; because we know how quickly students
can text to someone the drug dog is on campus.
The safety of your students on your campus is always an A.P.’s
first priority. It seems intrusive to search people, to search their vehicles,
and conduct a search as though you are a law enforcement officer. But keeping
drugs off your campus and not just from one particular student, in which you
may hit on, but protecting the culture, climate, and safety of your entire
student population is at stake. Stop
everything your doing and work keeping the drugs off your campus!
