Police role in school anti-drug policy clarified
Conversation was informational, not a recommendation, captain says
At least one Elmbrook School Board member has expressed support for a proposed anti-drug policy based on an endorsement by the City of Brookfield Police Department - but that endorsement may have been misconstrued.
When Superintendent Matt Gibson presented the proposed policy changes to board members last week, he said he sought advice from a police sergeant about which types of drug-like substances should be banned. Gibson said the sergeant recommended banning products containing ephedrine, which apparently would include the pseudoephedrine found in some iterations of the nasal decongestant Sudafed and the allergy medicine Claritin-D.
"The police sergeant suggested that we mention ephedrine as a common ingredient," Gibson told the board. "That, he said, if he were writing the policy, he would try to eliminate that from within schools, and that's in a lot of over-the-counter (medicines)."
But police Capt. Jim Adlam said while a sergeant did have a conversation with Gibson, no suggestions were made and the department has no official position on the proposed policy changes.
"We made no recommendations whatsoever," Adlam said. "None of us have seen the policy."
Gibson did not return calls from a reporter seeking comment, but a member of his staff said he was out of the office until Wednesday, which was after NOW's deadlines.
Chief Daniel Tushaus would not name the sergeant involved, nor make him available for an interview. Tushaus said he would like the issue to remain between his department and Gibson.
Police backing cited by member
At last week's meeting, board member Jean Lambert said the Police Department's recommendation gave her confidence in the policy.
Adlam said this perceived endorsement worried him.
"Our department has not seen the policy," he said. "We did not supply input to this policy."
Lambert did not return calls from a reporter seeking comment.
Adlam said the conversation between Gibson and the sergeant was "very short" and strictly informational. During the six minute phone call, the sergeant "looked up a statute regarding drugs, but did not provide input for the policy.
"The sergeant said he certainly would not feel comfortable making any recommendations," Adlam said.
Gibson was 'reaching out' to police
Christy Foy, Elmbrook's on-staff legal counsel, said she helped Gibson write the proposed policy changes. Foy said she knew Gibson called to consult with police about the matter but did not know any details about the conversation.
"Matt told me he did call the Brookfield Police Department to get some clarification to amend this policy," Foy said. "All I know is that there were certain definitions in that policy that seemed like they could use clarification, so Matt was reaching out to them for some suggestions."
Adlam said the district would need to go through the department's command staff to seek this type of policy input.
"We don't set school policy," Adlam said. "If they want our department to review something, it should really go through the chief's office."
When the Police Department fields a call seeking legal advice, Adlam said, staff members can only find and read applicable statutes.
NEXT STEP
WHAT: The Policy & Legislative Committee will discuss changes to the district's code of conduct policy.
WHERE: Elmbrook Central Administrative Offices, 13780 Hope St., Brookfield
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27
MORE INFO: elmbrookschools.org
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