Site search
sponsored by
News
Sports
FALLON - The Churchill County School Board on Thursday night appeared to be in support in seeking assistance from the Washoe County School District to bring police dogs into the district.
Although the board could not vote on the information-only topic, trustees asked the item to be placed on the March 12 meeting for action.
Superintendent Carolyn Ross asked Washoe County School District Police Chief Mike Mieras to give the Churchill County School Board a presentation on police canines and searches in schools.
Mieras and his staff conduct random searches in secondary schools and offer services to other school districts.
Mieras told the school board it has been a great program, and since its inception more than 10 years ago, narcotics and drug suspension in the Washoe County schools have been cut in half.
Whether backpacks are allowed to be searched was an issue, but Mieras said the courts have ruled this practice is allowed.
Trustee Steve Nunn said he supports whatever needs to be done to make schools safe, but he wondered what would happen if a student refused to admit ownership of a backpack if a dog were to hit on it.
He also wanted to know if the backpack was a hand-me down from a person who once had stored drugs in it, and what action could be taken from the student who was unaware of the past activity.
Mieras said an administrator observes students so there are no question on ownerships of backpacks. He added if there were no drugs in backpacks, students would not face disciplinary action.
The WCSD police chief said his department would not be responsible for disciplinary action in the CCSD if a police dog were to sniff out drugs or a firearm.
“We just keep drugs out of the schools,” he said. “That is an important thing.”
“We are just providing the tool,” Canine Officer Connie Harper added.
Trustee Greg Koenig said since a district 100 times the size of CCSD is conducting police dog searches successfully and has never been sued, he is more assured and thinks it would benefit the district.
Juvenile Probation Officer Chief DeVere Karlson urged the board to approve the use of police dog sniffs in the schools.
“I can’t tell you how strong of a message that would send,” she said. “It would send a (strong) message that the school district is not going to tolerate drugs.”
Mieras said that action must come from local administrators and law enforcement because the WCSD police would be outside its jurisdiction.
Mieras also said the WCSD has a police dog who is able to detect firearms, too.
Under the policy, when police canines are ready to search classrooms, students are directed to exit the room and to leave their jackets and backpacks. Mieras said the entire room is searched. Lockers and vehicles parked on school property can also be searched.
A few months ago the school board discussed using canines from the Fallon Naval Air Station by using its K-9s, but the trustees were informed the practice was not allowed.
Mieras said the WSCD police department is on solid legal standing in the courts in using K-9s in the schools.
The school board would have to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Mieras and his staff to allow police dog sniffs at their schools, and the school board will discuss this at its first meeting in March.
Mieras also said the WCSD has a few police dogs who are able to detect weapons and drugs.
Although the board could not vote on the information-only topic, trustees asked the item to be placed on the March 12 meeting for action.
Superintendent Carolyn Ross asked Washoe County School District Police Chief Mike Mieras to give the Churchill County School Board a presentation on police canines and searches in schools.
Mieras and his staff conduct random searches in secondary schools and offer services to other school districts.
Mieras told the school board it has been a great program, and since its inception more than 10 years ago, narcotics and drug suspension in the Washoe County schools have been cut in half.
Whether backpacks are allowed to be searched was an issue, but Mieras said the courts have ruled this practice is allowed.
Trustee Steve Nunn said he supports whatever needs to be done to make schools safe, but he wondered what would happen if a student refused to admit ownership of a backpack if a dog were to hit on it.
He also wanted to know if the backpack was a hand-me down from a person who once had stored drugs in it, and what action could be taken from the student who was unaware of the past activity.
Mieras said an administrator observes students so there are no question on ownerships of backpacks. He added if there were no drugs in backpacks, students would not face disciplinary action.
The WCSD police chief said his department would not be responsible for disciplinary action in the CCSD if a police dog were to sniff out drugs or a firearm.
“We just keep drugs out of the schools,” he said. “That is an important thing.”
“We are just providing the tool,” Canine Officer Connie Harper added.
Trustee Greg Koenig said since a district 100 times the size of CCSD is conducting police dog searches successfully and has never been sued, he is more assured and thinks it would benefit the district.
Juvenile Probation Officer Chief DeVere Karlson urged the board to approve the use of police dog sniffs in the schools.
“I can’t tell you how strong of a message that would send,” she said. “It would send a (strong) message that the school district is not going to tolerate drugs.”
Mieras said that action must come from local administrators and law enforcement because the WCSD police would be outside its jurisdiction.
Mieras also said the WCSD has a police dog who is able to detect firearms, too.
Under the policy, when police canines are ready to search classrooms, students are directed to exit the room and to leave their jackets and backpacks. Mieras said the entire room is searched. Lockers and vehicles parked on school property can also be searched.
A few months ago the school board discussed using canines from the Fallon Naval Air Station by using its K-9s, but the trustees were informed the practice was not allowed.
Mieras said the WSCD police department is on solid legal standing in the courts in using K-9s in the schools.
The school board would have to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Mieras and his staff to allow police dog sniffs at their schools, and the school board will discuss this at its first meeting in March.
Mieras also said the WCSD has a few police dogs who are able to detect weapons and drugs.
