How do police handle student arrests?

AVON, Ind. (WISH) - After learning of three reports of children being arrested for violent acts against school staff members, 24-Hour News 8 asked Avon Police to explain how it handles students in similar situations.

While every department has its own policies and procedures, Avon Police Department offered some insight into how they handle juvenile arrests.

Avon Police Department is charged with the protection of 6,000 students in their district. Out of that number, the department estimates they arrest one student per month for fights or other illegal activity.

“Anytime we take a student from high school to take them anywhere they have to be handcuffed, that is our policy and procedure,” said Assistant Chief Bill Weems.

Avon Police Department has a two strike policy for fights. The first time the aggressor is caught the district handles the punishment. The second time police usually make an arrest.

If the student is an immediate threat to themselves or others they are taken to the juvenile detention center. Before the students are asked any questions, their parents must be present in the room.

“We bring them back here to the police department and we have a certain amount of time we are allowed to keep them in custody,” said Weems.

In most cases any charges against the students are issued in the juvenile court division.

Shelbyville Police released information this week about a 6-year-old arrested for allegedly kicking and threatening his principal. A 12-year-old in Indianapolis was also arrested after a teacher said the boy punched her. There was also a report of an alternative school student wrestling with a teacher.