They circle the parking lot on leads, sniffing and scoping the area for illegal substances or paraphernalia hidden from view. Their long fingernails click on the linoleum tile of the school, as they begin a thorough search of the lockers, sniffing for particular scents.
Using their acute sense of smell, and a special bark to alert trainers to the smell they are trained to recognize, drug-sniffing dogs recently lead policemen through the hallways of Briar Woods High School on a routine check of the campus for illegal substances.

For several years, Loudoun County Public Schools have been given the authority to bring search parties into the school at any time for two main reasons: if the school resource officer or administrator feels as though there should be a search, or if the search dogs need practice.

"The purpose of the searches isn’t to catch kids. We’re not hoping to find drugs, we’re hoping to warn students that if you have them, you can be held accountable for it," said Principal Edward Starzenski.

The practice of searching the schools is sanctioned by the Loudoun County school system with the collaboration of local law enforcement.

Public Information Officer for Loudoun County Public Schools, Wayde Byard said, "The searches occur usually a couple times a year and are set up in advance."

However, a school resource officer or administrator himself can ask for a search to be done at a school if they feel as though it is necessary or due time.

In the event that an illegal substance is found, the student can be disciplined by the school because it was a crime committed on school property, but they can also be tried in court. Although such an offense is cause for expulsion, each instance of this is individualized and is taken under consideration by a myriad of different supervisors and administrators in Loudoun County.

Despite their often unexpected presence in school each year and the rumors surrounding them, it all culminates to one thing; school searches are done because it is important for each school campus to be safe and completely drug free.