Memorandum of Understanding Between the <strong>Braintree</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Schools</strong> and the <strong>Braintree</strong> Police Department Statement of Purpose: We agree that crimes committed by young people are a national and societal problem reaching into our community of <strong>Braintree</strong>. To maximize the effectiveness of our efforts to achieve a crime-free community, we recognize the coordination and cooperation of the community as a whole are essential. Therefore, the Chief of Police, with support of the Board of Selectmen, the Superintendent of <strong>Schools</strong> with the support of the School Committee, and the Norfolk District Attorney pledge to follow the agreed upon procedures for communicating criminal activity. We further agree to coordinate our efforts, when appropriate, with the Department of Education. An agreement such as this is necessary since administrators, teachers, and other staff members are increasingly relied upon to monitor student behavior and to report unusual behavior that may indicate involvement with criminal activity. In these instances, the rights and responsibilities of school personnel and students and the role of police officers and law enforcement must be clearly understood. Reportable Acts: This memorandum of understanding concerns the report of mandatory reportable acts, which include assaultive behavior, the possession of weapons, a case where a student is believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a case where a student is believed to be in a possession of or distributing any controlled substance. School personnel are not protected under any privilege statutes of the Commonwealth and, if called on to testify in court, they would be obligated to reveal any information relating to a crime, even if voluntarily confided to them by a student. This memorandum of agreement also concerns the response of law enforcement agencies to criminal activity in a school setting. Procedures and Responsibilities: 1.0 The School Superintendent designates the School Principal as the responsible school official in each school for handling all reportable acts. The Chief of Police designates the School Resource Officer or, in his or her absence, the Detective Bureau Commander, as the official responsible for handling all reportable acts. The Norfolk District Attorney designates a Juvenile Assistant District Attorney responsible for handling all reportable acts. (The term “drugs,” where used in this document, includes alcohol and controlled substances.) 2.0 All individuals who are involved in this memorandum of understanding agree to the following: 2.1 All school staff members are under obligation to report any and all incidents of the use or possession of any drugs by students to the School Principal. II. Every suspected pattern of use, possession, or distribution of drugs is to be reported immediately to the School Principal or his or her designee. The School Principal shall be responsible for reporting all of these incidents and observations to the School Resource Officer and the parents in writing. The School Resource Officer shall inform the Juvenile ADA of the incidents, and the appropriate cases shall be prioritized for prosecution. III. Any student who is observed as, or has admitted to being under the influence of a drug, must be immediately escorted to the office of the Principal who shall immediately notify parents and the School Resource Officer of the incident. The School Resource Officer shall inform the Juvenile ADA of the incident. IV. All school staff members are under obligation to report any and all incidents of the use or possession of any dangerous weapons by students to the School Principal. The School Principal shall be responsible for reporting all of these incidents to the School Resource Officer. In the case 74
of a dangerous weapon, as defined in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 269, Section 10, the School Resource Officer shall inform the Juvenile ADA of the incidents, and the appropriate cases will be prioritized for prosecution. 75
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