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FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

A REPORTING TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

We partner with local law enforcement agencies and school administrators to respond to lifesaving concerns affecting Iowa schools through our school safety program, Safe+Sound Iowa. Available for free to all K-12 schools by the Governor's School Safety Bureau and the Iowa Department of Public Safety, our threat reporting tool for schools immediately connects anonymous tips for school violence from students, teachers, parents and community members to those who can help. 

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TOOLS FOR TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION

When an anonymous school safety report is made using our mobile app, website, or toll-free tip line, a Safe+Sound Iowa communications specialist begins two-way communication with the person submitting the tip to ask questions and collect as much information as possible. 

Our tool allows the reporting party to securely upload photos, videos, and audio files relevant to the anonymous tip to help support the investigation. This information is then packaged into a confidential report and sent to the law enforcement agency providing services to the affected school. 


SAFE+SOUND DISPOSITION POWERPOINT

RECEIVING ANONYMOUS TIPS

Each law enforcement agency determines the practice and procedure for routinely handling and investigating anonymous tips shared using our school threat reporting tool. Threat to life reports and time-sensitive information will be shared immediately with your agency through your dispatch center or public safety answering point (PSAP). 

A Safe+Sound Iowa communication specialist will confirm they have received the information from your agency. Each school safety report will include contact information for the on-call Governor's School Safety Bureau supervisor should your agency need investigation assistance or have questions about the report. 

PREVENTION & PRIVACY

The content and circumstances of each tip sent through the school threat reporting tool vary, but the goal is always to prevent violence. It's also vital to protect the anonymity of those reporting safety concerns. Law enforcement members play an essential role by not sharing report contents (forwarding or copying information in the report) outside the investigative team. 


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What is the school's role in investigating school safety reports?

School safety reports received through Safe+Sound Iowa are shared with the affected school. Reports are sent electronically to the school administrator identified as the school safety contact. Schools and law enforcement should work together to determine who is best suited to investigate the reported concern. Reports of sexual assault or explicit content is not shared with schools. Schools can update or add safety contact information by completing our School Threat Reporting App Contact Form. 

Should I notify the individuals involved when I receive a report?

Information contained in the school safety report is treated as intelligence information. Disclosing information in the report may only be done at the investigating officer's discretion. Information that may reveal the source of the information will not be shared, and every effort will be made to maintain the anonymity of the reporting party. 

How do I update contacts designated to receive anonymous reports from my law enforcement agency?

If you need to update your anonymous report recipient contacts, please complete our School Threat Reporting App Contact Form. Please note that reports involving a threat to life will be transferred to your agency through dispatch in real-time to ensure prompt receipt of the information. 

What if there is not enough information in a report for a follow-up?

The information you receive in the school safety report contains all the information provided by the reporting party. We can request more information from the reporting party through the mobile app and website. To make this request, reply to the email received from Safe+Sound Iowa or contact the on-call Governor's School Safety Bureau representative. 

What are some examples of common report outcomes?

  • Prevention: Law enforcement or school administrators took steps to prevent the concern. 

  • Counseling: The information was credible and the subject involved was referred to a school or private counselor.

  • Parents Notified: The nature of the threat warranted notification of the student's parent(s) and the issue was resolved.

  • School Disciplinary Action: The report was investigated and resulted in the disciplinary action taken by the school. 

  • Arrest/Citation: The report was investigated and the subject was charged and/or arrested.

  • Continue to Monitor the Situation: The report information was credible and the concern will be monitored. 

  • Unfounded: The reported information could not be proven but the claim by the reporting party was made in good faith. 

  • False Report: There is no evidence to support the claim of the reporting party and there is reason to believe the report was not submitted in good faith.