2025 School Safety Training Forum

What does Virginia law say about the use of force?  Where is the line between what school leaders and school security should be doing to enforce school rules - and what School Resources must do to uphold the law?  Is bullying a crime?  This session will provide insight into these topics using cases from the Federal Courts regarding use of force in school, cases involving juveniles, and cases involving active threats to public safety. The presentation will focus on new statutes but will also examine the debate regarding qualified immunity, with respect to law enforcement decisions to use force and situations where law enforcement may face violence at a school. Presenters will provide a strategic approach and provision of guidelines, coupled with key elements of Federal and Virginia law, all with the goal of enhancing the ability of school and police personnel to better respond to legal issues within the school environment and beyond.