The ACLU found some of the incidents referred to school resource officers: a middle school student spitting on another student, grade-school brothers yelling and cussing, a student egging another students’ car and a candy bar stolen from a teacher’s desk.

The study also found that 56 percent of the school districts (19) do not require that a parent be notified before their student is questioned by police for incidents that happen at school. Just two of the 18 law enforcement agencies require that a parent be present during questioning.

None of the school districts have policies or procedures on how students should be advised of their rights when being questioned by police.

The ACLU also advocates using memorandums of understanding to specify procedures and policies to safeguard students’ rights including notifying parents, what data to collect and how to distinguish between criminal and school misconduct.

The study found that 31 of the 34 school districts with school resource officers have memorandums of understanding, but most — including Lincoln’s — lacked specific procedures.

The study also recommends that police get specific training on working with young people; and that the state explore legislation on data collection, on alternatives to criminal justice referrals for minor violations and providing interrogation safeguards for students both in and outside of school setting.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist.

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