902_-_Custodial_Searches

Policy 902Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentCustodial Searches - 1Custodial Searches 902.1 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 Mountain View 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. 902.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Custody search - An in-custody search of an individual and of his/her 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 or rectal cavity of an individual, and the vagina of a female person. Strip search - A search that requires an individual to remove or rearrange some or all of his/her 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 his/her underclothing, buttocks, genitalia or female breasts are visible. 902.2 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. 902.3 FIELD AND TRANSPORTATION SEARCHES An officer should conduct a custody search of an individual immediately after his/her 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. Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Custodial Searches Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentCustodial Searches - 2902.4 SEARCHES AT POLICE FACILITIES Custody searches shall be conducted on all individuals in custody, upon entry to the Mountain View 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. 902.4.1 PROPERTY Members 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 individual from whom it was taken shall be required to sign the completed inventory. If the individual's signature cannot be obtained, the inventory shall be witnessed by another department member. The inventory should include the case number, date, time, member's Mountain View Police Department identification number and information regarding how and when the property may be released. 902.4.2 VERIFICATION OF MONEY All money shall be counted in front of the individual from whom it was received. When possible, the individual shall initial the dollar amount on the inventory. Additionally, all money should be placed in a separate envelope and sealed. Negotiable checks or other instruments and foreign currency should also be sealed in an envelope with the amount indicated but not added to the cash total. All envelopes should clearly indicate the contents on the front. The department member sealing it should place his/her initials across the sealed flap. Should any money be withdrawn or added, the member making such change shall enter the amount below the original entry and initial it. The amount of money in the envelope should always be totaled and written on the outside of the envelope. 902.5 STRIP SEARCHES No individual in temporary custody at any Mountain View Police Department facility shall be subjected to a strip search unless there is reasonable suspicion based upon specific and articulable facts to believe the individual has a health condition requiring immediate medical attention or is concealing a weapon or contraband. Factors to be considered in determining reasonable suspicion include, but are not limited to: Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Custodial Searches Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentCustodial Searches - 3(a)The detection of an object during a custody search that may be a weapon or contraband and cannot be safely retrieved without