Concealed Weapon

The following guidelines refer to situations where school staff and police receive information about a student carrying a concealed weapon or having a weapon in their possession. The responses outlined would not be appropriate if a student is threatening or assaulting a person with a weapon.

Situations involving a weapon are always dynamic and the safety of the students and staff should be the first consideration.

Following these steps may assist school staff and police with determining the best response to a report of a person carrying a concealed weapon in a school.

Gather information
1. Determine the likelihood that the information is valid (things to consider)
  1. Was the weapon displayed by the suspect or is the claim verbal?
  2. Is the information second/third hand?
  3. Is the source reliable?
2. Obtain as much detail about the suspect and weapons as possible (questions to consider)
  1. What type of weapon was seen? Obtain a detailed description.
  2. Where is the weapon being concealed (locker, knapsack, jacket pocket, waistband, etc.)
  3. Did the suspect make any threats? What is the specific nature of the threat(s) and who/what was the target(s) of the threat(s)?
  4. What is the suspect’s emotional state?
  5. What does the suspect look like?
  6. What was the suspect wearing?
  7. Exactly where is the suspect right now and where will they be when the police arrive?
  8. How many staff and students are near the suspect?
Contact police
1. When the Executive Team or designate is satisfied that the information is valid (based on the balance of probabilities and the reliability of the source), the police should be contacted.
2. Depending on the situation, the Executive Team will call 9-1-1, the police non-emergency number (416-808-2222), or other officer(s) assigned to the school.
Determine the appropriate response
1. Police and the Executive Team should discuss the most appropriate method of dealing with a student carrying a concealed weapon. Depending on the situation, it is recommended that a staff member:
  1. Approach the student
  2. Ask the student to follow them to a hallway
  3. Lead the student away from staff and students to a location where the police are waiting
2. Police will quickly take control of the student and their property and conduct a search for the weapon. The search will be a “pat down” search rather than a strip search, so a totally private area is not required. For safety reasons, it is recommended that the location be relatively empty of staff and students.
3. Regardless of the outcome of the search, a search of the student’s locker should be conducted.
Factors to consider
1. Type of weapon
2. Past conduct of the suspect
3. Emotional/developmental/behavioral issues related to the suspect
4. Location of the suspect
5. Location of the weapon

If possible, have a staff member who is familiar with and has a relationship with the student available when the police arrive
Determine if the staff member is comfortable assisting the police and approaching the student
Decide if the staff member or member of the Executive Team should approach the student
If a police officer, rather than a staff member, makes the initial approach the student may react by immediately attempting to flee or react violently (fight or flight response).
It is vital that police confront the student in as controlled a situation as possible.
It is always better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario than to be caught off guard. It is always more difficult to respond when not properly prepared.