Policy Text
Policy
901Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/19, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCustodial Searches - 1Custodial Searches
901.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidance regarding searches of individuals in custody. Such searches are
necessary to eliminate the introduction of contraband, intoxicants or weapons into the Garden
Grove Police Department facility. Such items can pose a serious risk to the safety and security of
department members, individuals in custody, contractors and the public.
Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit the otherwise lawful collection of evidence from an
individual in custody.
901.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Custody search - An in-custody search of an individual and of the individual's property, shoes,
and clothing, including pockets, cuffs and folds on the clothing, to remove all weapons, dangerous
items and contraband.
Physical body cavity search - A search that includes a visual inspection and may include a
physical intrusion into a body cavity. Body cavity means the stomach, rectal cavity, or vagina of
an individual.
Strip search - A search that requires an individual to remove or rearrange some or all of the
individual's clothing to permit a visual inspection of the underclothing, breasts, buttocks, anus
or outer genitalia. This includes monitoring an individual who is changing clothes, where the
individual's underclothing, buttocks, genitalia, or female breasts are visible.
901.2 POLICY
All searches shall be conducted with concern for safety, dignity, courtesy, respect for privacy and
hygiene, and in compliance with policy and law to protect the rights of those who are subject to
any search.
Searches shall not be used for intimidation, harassment, punishment or retaliation.
901.3 FIELD AND TRANSPORTATION SEARCHES
An officer should conduct a custody search of an individual immediately after the individual's arrest,
when receiving an individual from the custody of another, and before transporting a person who
is in custody in any department vehicle.
Whenever practicable, a custody search should be conducted by an officer of the same sex as
the person being searched. If an officer of the same sex is not reasonably available, a witnessing
officer should be present during the search.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Custodial Searches
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/19, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCustodial Searches - 2901.4 SEARCHES AT POLICE FACILITIES
Custody searches shall be conducted on all individuals in custody, upon entry to the Garden Grove
Police Department facilities. Except in exigent circumstances, the search should be conducted by
a member of the same sex as the individual being searched. If a member of the same sex is not
available, a witnessing member must be present during the search.
Custody searches should also be conducted any time an individual in custody enters or re-enters
a secure area, or any time it is reasonably believed that a search is necessary to maintain the
safety and security of the facility.
All arrestees shall be searched by Allied Universal jailers upon entering the holding facility and
prior to being placed into a holding cell. Any article that may be used by the arrestee as a weapon
or to injure himself/herself or injure others must be removed from the arrestee and placed in the
prisoners locked property locker. All property that shall be removed includes, but is not limited to;
belts, shoelaces, lighters, matches, any incendiary device, or any other item that could be used in
a harmful manner by the arrestee. The Garden Grove Police Officer transporting the arrestee or
any other sworn officer shall stand by with Allied Universal while the search is completed and any
property is removed. Immediately upon completing the search, the Allied Universal personnel will
complete a "intake screening and triage" form which will be put in with the arrestee's paperwork.
Officers shall conduct a custodial search of their arrestee, in order to ensure the arrestee is not
concealing or secreting any dangerous weapons or contraband not readily visible or located prior
to the arrest. Officers shall remove all personal property from the arrestee's person and place
the property in a clear plastic bag prior to transporting the arrestee. After the property has been
analyzed for evidentiary value, it will be turned over to Allied Universal personnel (jail staff) for
inventory in order to complete the booking process.
If a search of an arrestee MUST be conducted by an officer of the opposite sex, the officer shall
conduct a cursory search for weapons, using the back of his/her hand. When a female prisoner is
to be searched by an Allied Universal jailer or female Records Specialist/Matron, a sworn officer
shall remain in the holding cell area out of view of the female prisoner being searched and has
been placed into a temporary holding cell.
901.4.1 PROPERTY
Garden Grove Police employees and Allied Universal jailers shall take reasonable care in handling
the property of an individual in custody to avoid discrepancies or losses. Property retained for
safekeeping shall be kept in a secure location until the individual is released or transferred.
Some property may not be accepted by a facility or agency that is taking custody of an individual
from this department, such as weapons or large items. These items should be retained for
safekeeping in accordance with the Property and Evidence Policy.
All property shall be inventoried by objective description (this does not include an estimated value).
The