PREMIER Steven Marshall says his campaign pledge to allow for drug sniffer dogs to be sent into state schools will go ahead, even if a formal direction to police is required.

In question time on Tuesday, Mr Marshall said: “We will be directing the Police Commissioner to develop a protocol for the ability for the police to go into our schools, where required, to make sure that drugs are not present in the schools.”

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said issuing a ­formal direction to police on operational matters would be a dramatic step and would have to be presented to Parliament.

Mr Marshall’s office later clarified that a formal direction would be used only if required.

Education Minister John Gardner said he’d already had constructive discussions with Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, with Police Minister Corey Wingard present.

“We are currently working with police on developing the protocols,” Mr Gardner said.

Originally published as Marshall affirms pledge for drug dogs in schools