Sec. 6. (a) A school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school police officer appointed under this chapter:
(1) is a law enforcement officer (as defined in IC 5-2-1-2(1));
(2) must take an appropriate oath of office in a form and manner prescribed by the governing body or the equivalent for a charter school or accredited nonpublic school;
(3) serves at the governing body's (or the equivalent for a charter school or accredited nonpublic school) pleasure; and
(4) performs the duties that the governing body or the equivalent for a charter school or accredited nonpublic school assigns.
(b) School corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school police officers appointed under this chapter have general police powers, including the power to arrest, without process, all persons who within their view commit any offense. They have the same common law and statutory powers, privileges, and immunities as sheriffs and constables, except that they are empowered to serve civil process only to the extent authorized by the employing governing body or the equivalent for a charter school or accredited nonpublic school; however, any powers may be expressly forbidden them by the governing body (or the equivalent for a charter school or accredited nonpublic school) employing them. In addition to any other powers or duties, such police officers shall enforce and assist the educators and administrators of their school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school in the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school and assist and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and officers.
(c) Such police officers may exercise the powers granted under this section only upon any property owned, leased, or occupied by the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school, including the streets passing through and adjacent to the property. Additional jurisdiction may be established by agreement with the chief of police of the municipality or sheriff of the county or the appropriate law enforcement agency where the property is located, dependent upon the jurisdiction involved.
As added by P.L.132-2007, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.270-2019, SEC.19; P.L.156-2020, SEC.76; P.L.232-2025, SEC.16.
