Policy Text
DRUG LABS AND CHEMICALS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/01/89 STANDARD NO. 032 REVISED: 06/20/12
REPLACES: SOP Drug Labs and Chemicals 04-03.1-2 – Rev. 01/01/03
OBJECTIVE: To provide procedures to control and investigate clandestine drug labs, and to
establish guidelines for the safety of officers, citizens, and property in the
surrounding areas.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to provide guidelines
for handling the increase in demand for illicit drug use and clandestine drug labs.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the below listed
procedures.
I. DEFINITION:
A. Clandestine Laboratory - An illicit operation consisting of a sufficient combination of
Apparatus and chemicals that either has been or could be used in the manufacture or
synthesis of controlled substances.
II. PROCEDURES:
A. Officers responding to a fire or explosion scene should be cognizant of the indicators
used to determine if the scene has been used as a clandestine drug lab. The below are
indicators of the possibilities of a clandestine drug operation.
1. Unusual collection of chemical containers which would normally not be there,
especially if the scene is a residence or a vacant building.
2. Any suspicious devices or hardware which could be used for drug manufacture
found in or around the building.
3. Evidence of drug products, raw drugs, and/or paraphernalia.
B. Upon determination of a clandestine drug lab, the officer will proceed as follows:
1. Immediately notify the on-duty supervisor and determine if additional units are
needed to assist.
2. Have the dispatcher notify Miami-Dade Fire Department to request their
assistance.
3. Secure the scene and evacuate, if necessary.
4. Request an S.I.U. detective to respond to the scene.
5. Notify the appropriate federal agency to assist in the investigation.
Drug Labs and Chemicals – SOP# 032
B. Officers responding to a suspected drug lab scene or any scene involving chemicals
should be aware of the following symptoms which are early signs of chemical poisoning.
These symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, sharp headache, reddened face, burning
sensation to nose, throat, lungs, drowsiness, stupor, unusual exhaustion, numbness in
legs, teeth seem to tingle, and difficulty focusing. Personnel exhibiting any of these
symptoms should immediately notify their supervisor and seek medical attention.
D. Any employee who becomes injured or contaminated by the physical ingestion of a
controlled or illegal substance, through oral consumption, inhalation, direct handling, or
other means, will immediately seek or request medical attention.
E. The employee’s immediate supervisor will ensure that medical treatment is administered
to the employee and that the Worker’s Compensation Forms (i.e. First Report of Injury or
Illness; Injury Module in RMS).
F. When it becomes necessary to enter these buildings, officers should be mindful that
these structures are crime scenes. Additional precautions listed below will be adhered
to in order to prevent injury and/or destruction of evidence.
1. Do not turn any light switch on or off.
2. Do not unplug any “cookers” or heating elements. They could be “booby
trapped.”
3. Do not tamper with rheostats, buttons, etc.
4. Do not open refrigerators or freezers.
5. Do not move any containers.
6. Do not touch or move any instruments or chemicals.