Policy Text
EFFECTIVE
CHAPTER REVISED PAGE NUMBER
SCOPE: This directive is applicable to all sworn employees of the Department.
POLICY: The search warrant is one of the more powerful and valuable tools available to
law enforcement. While the process of applying for and obtaining a search warrant should be
familiar to most sworn employees, there are many technical and legal pitfalls that can
invalidate a search warrant, lead to the suppression of evidence or dismissal of cases, and
have liability implications for involved employees. Therefore, it is the policy of the
Department that all sworn employees have a sound knowledge of the legal requirements
associated with obtaining a search warrant in order to prevent suppression of evidence,
support the Constitutional rights of citizens and to maintain public confidence in the
Department's mandate to carry out the police function in an ethical and legal manner.