The school is in charge
The initiative, management and implementation of preventive locker checks always lie with the school. Information about this must be included in the safety plan. The following topics may be addressed:
- When renting a locker, the student and their parents/carers sign the terms of use and agree that the school has the right to open the locker even when the student is not present.
- The possibility that the school may carry out preventive checks for weapons. A distinction can be made between checks inside the school and on the school premises. This may include checking lockers and asking students to show the contents of their coats and (bicycle) bags or the storage space beneath scooter seats.
- That these checks may be carried out independently or in cooperation and consultation with the municipality, the Public Prosecution Service and the police.
Role of the police
The police do not have independent authority to carry out checks at schools. However, the police may be present in the background during preventive checks, for example for weapons or fireworks. The police do have a responsibility when there is, or is a suspicion of, for example, illegal possession of weapons.
Weapons check checklist
Commissioned by the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science and Security and Justice, Bureau Beke published a Checklist for checking weapon possession. It sets out the most important principles and guidelines.
School and police
In the article Police as a partner in school safety, you can read more about the relationship between the school and the police. For example, schools can enter into an agreement with the police. This sets out what the parties can offer each other and what they can expect from one another.