Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
607 Delano PD Policy Manual
Warrant Service
607.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for the planning and serving of arrest and search warrants by
members of this department. It is understood that this policy cannot address every variable or
circumstance that can arise in the service of a search or arrest warrant, as these tasks can involve
rapidly evolving and unique circumstances.
This policy is intended to be used in conjunction with the Operations Planning and Deconfliction
Policy, which has additional guidance on planning and serving high-risk warrants.
This policy is not intended to address the service of search warrants on locations or property
already secured or routine field warrant arrests by patrol officers.
607.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Delano Police Department to balance the safety needs of the public, the
safety of department members, privacy interests and other relevant factors when making decisions
related to the service of search and arrest warrants.
607.3 OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
The operations director shall review all risk assessment forms with the involved supervisor to
determine the risk level of the warrant service.
The operations director will also have the responsibility to coordinate service of those warrants
that are categorized as high risk. Deconfliction, risk assessment, operational planning, briefing,
and debriefing should follow guidelines in the Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy.
607.4 SEARCH WARRANTS
Officers should receive authorization from a supervisor before preparing a search warrant
application. Once authorization is received, the officer will prepare the affidavit and search warrant,
consulting with the applicable prosecuting attorney as needed. He/she will also complete the risk
assessment form and submit it, along with the warrant affidavit, to the appropriate supervisor
and the operations director for review and classification of risk (see the Operations Planning and
Deconfliction Policy).
607.5 ARREST WARRANTS
If an officer reasonably believes that serving an arrest warrant may pose a higher risk than
commonly faced on a daily basis, the officer should complete the risk assessment form and submit
it to the appropriate supervisor and the operations director for review and classification of risk (see
the Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy).
If the warrant is classified as high risk, service will be coordinated by the operations director. If the
warrant is not classified as high risk, the supervisor should weigh the risk of entry into a residence
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Warrant Service - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department