The school's police chief says the alleged hazing incident at Farmersville High School is an isolated incident and not the culture

FARMERSVILLE – The Farmersville ISD Police Department said Thursday it has arrested nine high school students for suspected hazing-related crimes. The student-athletes are accused of unlawful oppression.

Police Chief Steve Wade said the district began an investigation on Sept. 26 as soon as officers were notified of the alleged incident. Wade tells CBS News Texas that a student was taken into custody that same day.

Wade said eight other student-athletes facing the same charges were arrested Tuesday during the investigation. The chief told CBS News Texas three students were harassed on campus.

“I would say this occurred during the hours that students and staff were on campus,” Wade said.

The investigation involves juveniles, limiting the amount of information that can be released. Wade said disclosing the alleged offenders' sport would identify them, which is why he is withholding that information.

Chief Wade also said they were looking into whether the criminal allegations were part of the sport's tradition.

“That is not the case. We have investigated this. We spoke to former students who have since graduated,” he said. “This is an isolated case. That’s not a culture.”

Wade said the investigation remains open as it attempts to verify rumors on social media to determine whether a crime occurred.

In the meantime, this helped school officials remind students of the consequences of hazing, he said.

A statement released by the district said all evidence collected by police will be submitted to the Collin County District Attorney for processing.

However, the district notes that school disciplinary actions are separate from criminal charges.