City Council briefed on student questioning, privacy rules in new ACPS agreement with APD
City Council briefed on student questioning, privacy rules in new ACPS agreement with APD
Publish Date: 2026-05-27 13:45:00
Source Domain: www.alxnow.com
On Tuesday (May 26), Alexandria City Council was briefed on changes to the recently approved memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria City Public Schools.
As no action was required from City Council Tuesday, City Council members did not formally endorse the updated MOU approved earlier this month by the School Board. ACPS previously extended the 2023–2025 agreement while the city’s School Law Enforcement Partnership subcommittee, which is made up of members of City Council, the School Board and APD staff, finalized the new language.
The new language removed a proposal that would have designated school resource officers (SROs) as school officials, which would have allowed them to access student records. SROs are stationed at Alexandria City High School and the city’s middle schools.
Another change notes a requirement under Virginia code that principals report felonies to SROs but clarifies that possession of alcohol and possession of marijuana under one pound are not felonies.
A new section in the agreement says SROs will not ask students, staff, or employees their immigration status — reflecting a current APD policy.
Per the document, parental consent will be required for police questioning of students in non-urgent circumstances, although SROs won’t need parental permission to stop, question and interview ACPS students off-campus, “especially when timely information will help prevent injury, death or evidence destruction,” according to the MOU.
APD Assistant Chief Tina Laguna said that the new language maintains student privacy.
“During the process, a concern was raised regarding the designation of school resource officers as school officials,” Laguna said. “The concern was that this would give SROs too much authority and would also allow them access to unnecessary information of students, such as grades or school disciplinary information.”
Councilwoman Sandy Marks, who has two children…
