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(Español) In our continued effort to support the Whole Child, it is important that we educate students in continuously developing positive relationships with all members of the community while becoming engaged, informed, and civic-minded members of society. To further this effort, Arlington Public Schools (APS) in collaboration with Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) and partnership with the County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (CCPTA) has developed a student “Know Your Rights: Your Guide to Interacting with Law Enforcement” document. As educators, we want to make sure our students understand their 4th and 5th Amendment rights.
Key goals of the “Know Your Rights: Your Guide to Interacting with Law Enforcement” brochure were to:
- Emphasize that law enforcement officials are trusted members of our community
- Remind students to remain calm and respectful when interacting with law enforcement
- Suggest student-friendly language that students can use to express their rights
- Provide information regarding searches
Soon this document will be shared with all APS secondary students electronically at school and copies will be available at school. This document has been translated to Spanish (available now) and Amharic, Arabic, and Mongolian versions will be available next week.
We hope that this resource will encourage families to engage in conversations about expectations for their student(s) when interacting with law enforcement. We also want to promote respectful interactions between our students and law enforcement officials. Additional resources about juvenile interactions with law enforcement include:
- Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) Juvenile Tips for Interacting with Police
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) What to Do When Encountering Police (For Youth)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Jeannette Allen, Director of Administrative Services at 703-228-6187 or jeannette.allen@apsva.us
