Updated Resource: Guidelines for Interviews of Students at School by Law Enforcement 

Guidelines for Interviews of Students at School by Law Enforcement Authorities is a resource designed to assist school officials in determining when it is appropriate for law enforcement authorities to interview students while students are at school or participating in school-related activities. 

Produced in conjunction with the Illinois Council of School Attorneys (ICSA), the publication covers a range of topics that may or may not be acceptable for the interviewing of students. These topics include matters related to school discipline, interviews of students for both law enforcement purposes and non-law enforcement purposes, search and seizure by school resource officers, attempts to interview students by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arrest and removal of students from school by law enforcement or ICE agents, the sharing of information, and more. 

Recent updates include additional information as it pertains to action by ICE, particularly sections regarding attempts to interview students at school by ICE and the sharing of information, among other additions.  

It is recommended that the guidelines outlined in the publication be supplemented with continued training to ensure that both the students’ rights and law enforcement’s need for effective investigation are protected.  

As a reminder, the publication is for informational purposes only, as school officials are encouraged to consult board legal counsel as needed.