MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors approved a policy directing the use of physical force by district employees Dec. 13.

"It's just a policy we've never had, and occasionally our security officers have to break up a fight, or a principal, or a teacher (has to break up a fight), and we've never had a policy on that," said district superintendent Steve Chestnut.

The vote to approve the policy was unanimous.

"Reasonable physical force may be used by school personnel when necessary to restrain, remove, or disarm pupils who present a threat of harm to themselves or others, property damage or theft, or who disrupt school activities," according to the policy.

"Physical force is necessary only when other means of restraint, removal, or disarmament would be ineffective or only after such other means have been attempted and have been ineffective," according to the policy.

The policy includes a requirement for the employee who used physical force, when dealing with a student, to report the incident to the school principal within 24 hours. In turn, the school principal is required to report the incident to the district superintendent within 24 hours.

"Corporal punishment and unreasonable use of physical force are expressly prohibited," according to the policy. "The board recognizes, however, that it may be necessary for school personnel to use reasonable and appropriate physical force."

The policy outlines factors to be considered when determining whether physical force is necessary in a situation.