Police, K-9s Search Chelmsford High School For Drugs

CHELMSFORD, MA – Students at Chelmsford High were met with Chelmsford Police Department and their police dog unit Thursday morning, as the law enforcement searched Chelmsford High School today. According to Chief James Spinney the school passed.

The search, which was planned in collaboration with school officials, began at 8:25 a.m., when Chelmsford police K-9, as well as K-9 units from some 12 other agencies, searched the school for drugs. They didn't find any, police said.

School officials have a close relationship with law enforcement to ensure the safety of students and staff, according to a release that stressed the search was routine.

Searches like Thursday's are part of an effort to curtail the use of illegal substances, especially on school grounds the release said.

A "hold in place" was put into effect for the duration of the exercise, while K-9 officers searched main hallway lockers and an assortment of random classrooms. Students did not come into contact with the K-9 units, and the hold was lifted after about 40 minutes.

"I'm proud of the professionalism shown by our officers and K-9 units, as well as school staff, for making today's search seamless and efficient. I also want to thank students for their cooperation this morning," Spinney said in a release. "Our goal is to ensure the safest possible learning environment for students, as well as a safe working environment for staff and visitors, and successful searches like today's help make that happen."

It's not clear if students were aware of the search before it happened.