An Investigation of Reciprocal Reporting Agreements Between School Districts and Local Law Enforcement Agencies

The purpose of this study was to determine the existing status of reciprocal reporting agreement guidelines between high schools and local law enforcement agencies in East Central Illinois. Principals of all high schools and local law enforcement officials in a 13 county area were surveyed, and responses were tabulated. In the surveyed area, 54% of the districts did not have reciprocal reporting agreements with law enforcement offices. Local Parent-Teacher Advisory Committees had very little or no input (52%) in the development of these guidelines. While 70% of high school administrators have general guidelines to follow when law authorities are to be contacted, 90% responded that their own discretion was used in deciding when to call law officials. Recommendations from this study include: (a) district administrators should compare and contrast present reporting agreements against a model agreement, (b) boards of education should be informed and educated about reciprocal reporting statutes, (c) all principals should be instructed in all facets of existing agreements, due to the frequent turnover of administrative positions, (d) school officials should promote a positive relationship with law authorities, (e) regional offices of education should encourage the development of reciprocal reporting policies between schools and law enforcement agencies, and (f) state legislators should be made aware of the perceived roadblocks which affect the sharing of information regarding criminal activity by students