If there is an imminent threat to the safety of students and staff the police will be contacted immediately and the building (s) will be put into lockdown. If possible, the source of the threat will be isolated.
In the case of a lockdown situation, the community will be notified via every communication means at our disposal. Emergency responders will arrive on scene to assist with traffic control. No students, staff, visitors or parents may enter or exit the building and only law enforcement can lift the lockdown after their investigation is complete. Lockdowns may last for several hours based on the nature of the threat.
If the situation does not pose an imminent threat to the safety of students or staff, the building administrator will conduct an internal investigation first then refer the matter to law enforcement if the internal investigation indicates a law may have been broken. The Superintendent is notified when law enforcement or emergency responders are called for support.
The investigation conducted by the local law enforcement agency is a criminal investigation to determine whether a law has been broken, and the standards for evidence are different. Beyond making a report to an officer and turning over relevant evidence, school administrators have no decision making authority regarding whether a student is charged with a crime. During the course of the police investigation, the police may forward the incident information to Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency if they determine it is appropriate for a follow-up investigation.