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N.J. educators and police directed to work more closely on school bullying incidents
New Jersey school districts and police must improve their reporting systems and information sharing in order to effectively address incidents of bullying, according to a memorandum issued by the state’s attorney general Tuesday.
In the past, schools typically would suspend their own investigations when police took over a bullying case. However, the new Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act calls for schools to complete harassment, intimidation or bullying investigations within 10 school days. As a result, coordination between school officials and law enforcement is critical, the directive states.
The memorandum provides tighter standards for schools and law enforcement regarding reporting and information sharing, the preservation of evidence, the coordination of investigations and testimony at school student conduct hearings. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)