Policy Text
TOM DaRé , CHIEF OF POLICE
Professional Standards Division NUMBER: 2020 -04
ISSUED: March 3 , 2020
Searches
(Cursory - Custodial)
The purpose of this training bulletin is to reiterate the importance of conducting legal and
thorough searches during the course of your duties. Officers come in contact with subjects
for various reasons, i.e. calls for service, citizen flag downs and self -initiated activity. Not
every contact can be treated the same way, with the exception of officer safety.
Officers in the field who attempt to detain an individual shou ld be aware that a temporary
detention or a stop is an exertion of authority that is something less than a custodial
arrest, but more substantial than a simple contact or consensual encounter.
Cursory Searches (“Pat Down”)
During the course of a detent ion, officers may feel the need to conduct a cursory or “pat
down” search of the subject. A cursory or “pat down” search is for weapons only, and
requires officers to have a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is
committing, or is about to commit a crime and has a reasonable belief that the person
may be armed or dangerous. ( Terry v. Ohio )
Officers conducting their searches should use a systematic approach and shall conduct all
searches in the same manner. If officers locate a dangerous weapon or contraband early
in their search structure, the officer should continue to search the remaining areas where
additional contraband or dangerous weapons could be concealed or secreted.
As officers are conducting their “pat down” searches and in the course of that search locate
a knife, screwdriver, pencil, etc., the officer shall remove and secure that item either on
their person, with their partner officer or a safe distance away from the person being
contacted. A complete and systematic search shall be completed after locating the
weapon.
If an officer is conducting their “pat down” search of a subject and discover a firearm, the
officer should keep control of the subject while making every effort to secure the firearm.
Once the firearm is se cured, the subject should be handcuffed and a detailed search
completed. The suspects actions will ultimately dictate the officers tactics, and not every
scenario can be treated the same (i.e., prone out technique). If a suspect is positioned in TRAINING BULLETIN
the pron e (High risk car stop/ pedestrian stop) the officer should secure the suspect prior
to removing the firearm.
The scope of the “pat down” involves searching the outer clothing of the person for
weapons. The purpose of the “pat down” search is for safety of both the officer and the
subject while conducting a preliminary investigation around someone who they feel may
be armed and dangerous. If searching the groin area of a detainee is reasonable based on
the totality of the circumstances, then the ar ea should be searched, and later articulated
in the officer’s report. Make sure your search is thorough enough to discover a weapon if
one is hidden in the groin area.
Custodial Searches
Officers shall conduct a custodial search of their arrestee prior to transporting, 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. A search of the arrestee should be
conducted by an officer of the same sex, when practi cal. 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 their hand ( GGPD G.O. 10.9 )
Officers shall remove all personal property from the arrestee’s per son and place the
property in a medium size clear plastic bag, obtained from the Property and Evidence
Room, prior to transporting the arrestee. After the property has been analyzed for
evidentiary value, it will be turned over to The Geo Group Inc. perso nnel (jail staff) for
inventory in order to complete the booking process.
If the transporting officer is different from the arresting officer, the transporting officer
shall conduct a secondary search of the arrestee prior to transporting. The rear Axon F leet
Camera shall be activated prior to transportation and officers should be reminded to watch
for any suspicious movements of their arrestee while secured in the rear seat of their
police car.
Both cursory searches and custodial searches should be com pleted systematically and in
the same manner each time so officers do not miss hidden or secreted dangerous weapons
and other evidence concealed by arrestees on their person. Additionally, officers should
be reminded to check their rear seat and the surrou nding areas in the rear of their police
cars to ensure no evidence was discarded during transport after their transportation is
complete.
Prepared by:
Ryan Lux, Corporal