Simsbury Police and police from surrounding communities conducted an unannounced drug sweep at Simsbury High School Wednesday morning.
In an email to parents, principal Neil Sullivan announced that the school had partnered with police to conduct a sweep of the school using canines trained to detect marijuana and other drugs.
Before the sweep began, Sullivan made the following announcement to students and faculty:
“Good morning, this is Mr. Sullivan. This morning the Simsbury Police are here in various parts of the building conducting sweeps with canine units trained in the detection of marijuana and other drugs. We emphasize that this is a routine procedure, and there is no reason to be alarmed that several police officers are here. At this time, students should be out of the halls and in an assigned area until the process is over. I will come back on the PA to let you know when it is complete. Teachers, please make sure that the halls are clear near your room and close the doors to your classrooms. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Police first conducted an announced drug sweep at the high school in February 2012.
In November Sullivan announced that the school planned to continue with unannounced drug sweeps despite a decrease in student drug use.
Sullivan said that the school's policy regarding student confidentiality prevents the school from releasing the results of Wednesday's sweep. Simsbury Police have not released a statement at this time.
Included in Sullivan's statement to parents was a note to the media that he would not provide any further details on the sweep:
"I anticipate that the media may continue to report these sweeps to the public. Please know that this communication will serve as my only public statement about the event. The Simsbury Police will issue a separate statement of their own."
Sullivan did say that the school and police department plan to continue to conduct the sweeps at unannounced intervals.
