Reported

Reported to Law Enforcement

Definition:

“Law enforcement action” means that official action was taken by a School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement officer in response to a SESIR incident, including but not limited to: an arrest, referral to a civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program authorized by Section 985.12, F.S., or initiation of an involuntary examination authorized by Section 394.463, F.S.

The data element is broken down into separate codes as follows:

• A - Arrest - Official action was taken by a School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement officer in response to a SESIR incident which resulted in arrest.
• D - Diversion - Official action was taken by a School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement officer in response to a SESIR incident which resulted in referral to a civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program authorized by Section 985.12, F.S.
• I - Involuntary Examination - Official action was taken by a School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement officer in response to a SESIR incident which resulted in involuntary examination authorized by Section 394.463, F.S. (Baker Act). Please note all Involuntary Examinations initiated at a school, on school transportation or at a school-sponsored activity must be entered into the IERS reporting system.
• L - No Law Enforcement Action – No official action was taken by a School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement officer in response to a SESIR incident.
• M - Other Law Enforcement Action – Official action was taken by a School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement officer in response to a SESIR incident that was not an arrest, referral to a civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program authorized by Section 985.12, F.S., or initiation of an involuntary examination authorized by Section 394.463, F.S.
• N - Not Reported to Law Enforcement - The incident is not a threat to school safety and is a petty act of misconduct as defined by school board policy pursuant to the provisions of s. 1006.13, F.S., and is consistent with agreements with the county sheriff’s office and local police department for determining which incidents are reported to law enforcement.

Examples

• An arrest or Notice to Appear.
• A civil citation (such as a juvenile citation) or other prearrest diversion.
• An involuntary examination (Baker Act).

Additional Guidelines

In December 2022, the “Reported to Law Enforcement” (PDF) data element was updated to include codes for the various actions taken by law enforcement. This code is used to identify incidents where law enforcement was involved, and the specific action that was taken. Prior to the 2020-21 school year, five SESIR incidents were required to be “Reported to Law Enforcement” (PDF). 

FAQ

Our School Resource Officers are issuing “juvenile citations” in lieu of arrest in some cases. The student is diverted to teen court and if they comply with the terms then they have no arrest record. Does this type of action constitute “Reported to Law Enforcement” (PDF)? Is this an official action? It is technically not an arrest.

• Issuing juvenile citations does constitute Reporting to Law Enforcement in SESIR. Civil citations are just another method to divert a student from the juvenile justice system. The student must accept responsibility for his/her actions in order to receive a juvenile civil citation. The officer conducts a complete investigation and generates a police report in order to issue a civil citation.

Contact

Office of Safe Schools
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Phone: 850-245-5173