Burlington Reporter

The Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) recently announced that it will begin to allow authorities to use police dogs to conduct random, unannounced searches for drugs and other illegal contraband.

The K-9 dogs will be used to detect illegal drugs, explosives, firearms, fire accelerants and other contraband as well, according to The Alamance News. The dogs will be accompanied by officers who are certified to properly handle them.

“I have asked law enforcement jurisdictions that have officers in our schools to walk the dogs through our middle and high schools,” Interim ABSS superintendent Dr. James Merrill told The Alamance News. “These dogs are trained to smell controlled substances. Our policy states -- and this is important for me to read: ‘Regarding the use of trained dogs, with the prior approval of the superintendent, and in conjunction with local law enforcement, school officials may use trained dogs to locate illegal materials."

The K-9 units will be used to search lockers, desks, backpacks, vehicles and other inanimate objects for traces of any illegal contraband. Students will not be present during these searches.

“Dogs may not be used to sniff students or other persons under any circumstances," Merrill told The Alamance News.