Critical Incident Manual - Ministry of Education

Guidelines for Developing a Critical Incident Management Plan for a Safe School EnvironmentIncident: Vandalism/Criminal MischiefPotential OutcomesDestruction to lives and property.Pre-plan Action• School’s vandalism policy must include restitution as well as consequences.• Students must be acquainted with policy governing vandalism.• Implement safety and security measures at school for lives and property.• Staff must be vigilant to report any sign of vandalism to school authority.• Offer educational programmes that address respect for property.• Promote crime-prevention programmes.Immediate Action• Vandalism must be immediately reported to the principal or other appropriate staffmember.• Mobilise CIMT.• Determine if the act constitutes criminal act and if so, report it to the police. Do nottamper and disrupt the scene, until police arrives.• Assess the situation and evaluate the damage.• Keep student away from the scene.• In the case of graffiti, have it removed immediately.Follow-up Action• Carry out appropriate follow-up, e.g. with the police.• Cooperate with the police in possible investigation.• Consult school policy governing vandalism and enforce appropriate disciplinaryaction.• Determine appropriate restitution.• Document the incident. Complete the appropriate forms, file as well as send on tothe Ministry of Education.• Debrief incident with appropriate persons.• Repair damage and to return to basic functioning as soon as possible.Ministry of Education 2007 / 68