Students accuse teachers of touching or grabbing them on a regular basis. When this occurs, it is devastating to the teacher involved. The situation can be made worse depending on how all parties behave. Here are some important things to know about each individual involved.

Administrators have been instructed not to investigate grabbing or touching accusations. They will call Child Protective Services (CPS) first. In most cases, CPS will not get involved and will tell the administrator to call the police. A police officer will come out and investigate, questioning the student involved and the teacher. In most cases it does not go beyond those two. Sometimes the officer will question other students. In most every situation the officer ends his investigation with the teacher saying nothing.

An officer can question a teacher at any time if an accusation has been made. The police do not have one set way of handling this situation. One officer might be secretive and tell a teacher to come with them. One might tell the teacher what is happening. One officer told a teacher what was happening and suggested that he/she call the Association before saying anything. Some come close to subtly threatening the teacher. Chief Gonzalez of the Corona police department has told us that officers will respect the rights of a person to not talk, but it doesn’t always play out smoothly.

CTA attorneys have advised everyone to say nothing until after talking to an attorney. That is what we advise everyone who calls the office. When a teacher meets with the police officer he/she needs to be prepared, because they will try and get the person to talk. Remember anything you say can and will be used against you! If you choose to talk, you run that risk. The choice to talk, of course, is ultimately up to each individual.