CHAPTER 16. SCHOOL CORPORATION POLICE DEPARTMENTS
IC 20-26-16
Chapter 16. School Corporation Police Departments
IC 20-26-16-1
Application
Sec. 1. This chapter applies to a school corporation, including a
school city (as defined in IC 20-25-2-12).
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.
IC 20-26-16-2
Authority to establish police department
Sec. 2. The governing body of a school corporation may establish
a school corporation police department under this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.
IC 20-26-16-3
Authority to appoint officers; uniforms; vehicles
Sec. 3. The governing body of a school corporation may do the
following for the school corporation police department:
(1) Appoint school corporation police officers.
(2) Prescribe the duties and direct the conduct of school
corporation police officers.
(3) Prescribe distinctive uniforms.
(4) Provide emergency vehicles.
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.
IC 20-26-16-4
Minimum training requirements
Sec. 4. An individual appointed as a school corporation police
officer must successfully complete at least:
(1) the pre-basic training course established under IC 5-2-1-9(f);
and
(2) the minimum basic training and educational requirements
adopted by the law enforcement training board under IC 5-2-1-9
as necessary for employment as a law enforcement officer.
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.
IC 20-26-16-5
Training for certain officers
Sec. 5. (a) Notwithstanding section 4 of this chapter and
IC 5-2-1-9, an individual appointed as a school corporation police
officer before July 1, 2007, must complete, not later than July 1,
2010, at least:
(1) the pre-basic training course established under IC 5-2-1-9(f);
and
(2) the minimum basic training and educational requirements
adopted by the law enforcement training board under IC 5-2-1-9
as necessary for employment as a law enforcement officer.
(b) As set forth in IC 5-2-1-9, an individual appointed as a school
corporation police officer may not:
(1) make an arrest;
(2) conduct a search or a seizure of a person or property; or
(3) carry a firearm;
unless the school corporation police officer successfully completes
a pre-basic training course under IC 5-2-1-9(f).
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.
IC 20-26-16-6
School corporation police officers; oath; powers and duties;
jurisdiction
Sec. 6. (a) A school corporation police officer appointed under
this chapter:
(1) is a law enforcement officer (as defined in IC 5-2-1-2(1));
(2) must take an appropriate oath of office in a form and manner
prescribed by the governing body;
(3) serves at the governing body's pleasure; and
(4) performs the duties that the governing body assigns.
(b) School corporation police officers appointed under this
chapter have general police powers, including the power to arrest,
without process, all persons who within their view commit any
offense. They have the same common law and statutory powers,
privileges, and immunities as sheriffs and constables, except that
they are empowered to serve civil process only to the extent
authorized by the employing governing body; however, any powers
may be expressly forbidden them by the governing body employing
them. In addition to any other powers or duties, such police officers
shall enforce and assist the educators and administrators of their
school corporation in the enforcement of the rules and regulations of
the school corporation, and assist and cooperate with other law
enforcement agencies and officers.
(c) Such police officers may exercise the powers granted under
this section only upon any property owned, leased, or occupied by
the school corporation, including the streets passing through and
adjacent to the property. Additional jurisdiction may be established
by agreement with the chief of police of the municipality or sheriff
of the county or the appropriate law enforcement agency where the
property is located, dependent upon the jurisdiction involved.
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.
IC 20-26-16-7
Existing school corporation police departments
Sec. 7. A school corporation police department established before
July 1, 2007, shall be considered, after June 30, 2007, a school
corporation police department established under this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7.