FBI involved in investigation surrounding accusations that Spokane Public Schools is ignoring mandatory reporting requirements
Spokane WA March 18, 2022 The FBI is now involved in the investigation surrounding accusations against SPS that they are ignoring mandatory reporting requirements.
In a post on Facebook, Councilman Michael Cathcart posted an email from a special agent with FBI Spokane that went out to all Spokane Public Schools Principals:
“Hello Spokane Principals Association Members,
I know you received communication from SPS last Friday about being contacted by law enforcement. With this email, I hope to provide some background and context that may allay some concerns or questions you have.
The FBI has received allegations of criminal activity in SPS schools that raise concerns about the safety of our school communities. These allegations include assaults, sexual assaults, threats of violence, and drug use occurring in our schools. Concerns have also been raised regarding whether SPS employees and staff are being permitted to exercise their professional judgment and comply with their mandatory reporting obligations in determining when it is necessary or appropriate to contact law enforcement about potential crimes and safety concerns.
I have already spoken with several people on this list, but if you have been instructed by SPS officials or pressured by SPS officials not to contact or cooperate with law enforcement when a crime occurs at your school or if you have other information that may bear on these concerns, you are more than welcome to contact me. I would appreciate hearing from you. Please contact me directly at … or clparker@fbi.gov. Our objective is to ensure students have a safe place to attend school and staff have a safe place to work.
Please know that any communication with me will be kept confidential during our investigation, although may ultimately have to be disclosed to any individual who is charged with a crime.”
FBI Seattle released a statement today regarding the situation:
The FBI routinely contacts individuals for a variety of reasons on a daily basis, whether they are a witness, victim, subject, or someone providing information. We can confirm that the FBI sent an e-mail to the administration at Spokane Public Schools but cannot comment further on that correspondence or other investigative details.
As a matter of longstanding policy, the FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, except in rare circumstances when publicity would help the investigation, such as when we are seeking the public’s help. The FBI, in conjunction with the Spokane Police Department, is seeking information from members of the Spokane Public Schools community. If you are a student, family member of a student, or staff member and have been a victim of a crime that was not reported to law enforcement or if you have other information that may bear on these concerns, send us information about the incident to seattle.fbi@fbi.gov or https://tips.fbi.gov/. If you are not the victim of a crime, but you have information about criminal conduct in our schools, please contact the FBI, as well. Please title your e-mail “Spokane Schools” so that it can be routed appropriately. If you wish to report anonymously, contact https://tips.fbi.gov/.
The safety of children has long been a priority of all law enforcement, and we appreciate your assistance to ensure students have a safe place to attend school and staff have a safe place to work.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
SPOKANE, Wash. – On March 11, the Spokane Police Department (SPD) issued a letter to Spokane Public Schools, informing them of numerous alleged incidents of failing to adhere to mandatory reporting requirements coming to police attention.
School personnel are required by law to report all instances of abuse, neglect, and other concerning situations as outlined under RCW 74.34.035, otherwise known as mandatory reporting requirements. SPD alleges SPS failed to report a number of incidences that would fall under this mandate.
The letter sent to the district the safety of child is one of SPD’s greatest concerns. “These laws do not have carve outs or exceptions for philosophies that may be contrary to the clearly stated statutes. RCW 26.44.080 states, ‘Every person who is required to make, or to cause to be made, a report pursuant to RCW 26.44.030 and 26.44.040, and who knowingly fails to make, or fails to cause to be made, such report, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.'”
It concludes with a request to work collaboratively with the district to ensure all laws are followed, creating the safest school system and learning environment possible.
In a response letter sent out by Spokane Public Schools to Chief Meidl and city officials, they refute the claims, stating, “The district leadership team is not aware of any patterns of complaints from families or building staff regarding a failure to comply with mandatory reporting responsibilities.”
The letter states SPD has had concerns of failure to report since the beginning of the schoolyear, but failed to notify the district. The letter goes on to ask, “Given your stated significant concern for student safety, why have you delayed in bringing this issue to our attention?”
According to SPS, all staff completes mandatory annual training on reporting via SafeSchools that is documented at the beginning of each school year, ensuring staff is aware of protocols and procedure in this regard.
SPS further alleges, “There are SPS principals that have indicated they have called 911 and officers have not responded to their school. In addition, principals have shared that SPD officers have criticized staff for calling. How can we communicate and calibrate moving forward to address these perceptions?”
SPD told KHQ they will not be making further statements on the matter.
