Policy Text
Court Security Division Page 1 of 10 3/05 (REV 6/11)
Procedures: Entry Screening
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to define responsibilit ies and procedures for
entry screening at Sacramento C ounty Superior Court facilities.
I. Policy
A. The entry screening checkpoint s are the first line of defens e to ensure the
security of courthouse facilitie s and the safety of all persons who enter
courthouse facilities. It is imper ative that each officer assig ned to this
critical duty remain vigilant to circumstances that could threa ten safety and
security, while still maintaini ng a positive and professional c ustomer
service relationship with the public and court staff.
II. Authority
A. Searches as a condition of ent ry into a courthouse facility do not violate
the Fourth and Fourt eenth Amendments since t hese searches are
“Administrative Searches.”
1. The facility should post signage advising the public of the
requirement for screening prior to entry.
2. Search is necessary to secure a vital government interest.
3. Search is limited and no more intrusive than necessary to pr otect
against a threat.
a. U.S. v. Davis, 482 F. 2d 893 (1973) b. People v. Hyde 115 Cal Rptr 358 (1974)
c. U.S. v. Edwards 498 F. 2d 496 (1974) d. McMorris v. Alioto 567 F. 2d 897 (1978)
B. Weapons and other prohibited it ems shall not be brought into a court
facility by the public or court staff.
1. The following types of weapons a re prohibited by §171b(a) PC :
a. Any firearm.
Court Security Division Page 2 of 10 3/05 (REV 6/11) b. Any deadly weapon descri bed in §17235 PC or §16590 PC.
c. Any knife with a blade l ength in excess of four inches, th e
b l ade of which is fixed or is c apable of being fixed in an
unguarded position by use of one or two hands.
d. Any unauthorized tear gas weapon. e. Any taser or stun gun, as defined in §244.5 PC.
f. Any instrument that expels a metallic projectile, such as a
BB or pellet, through the fo rce of air pressure, Co2
pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun or paint
gun.
2. Not withstanding the prohibiti ons and exceptions of §171b PC , the
following items that are, or c an be, used as weapons and/or a
means of effecting the escape o f inmates, are prohibited.
a. All knives (except round-ti p plastic eating utensils)
b. Scissors with a pointed end c. Screwdrivers and similar tools d. Letter openers e. Knitting needles f. Other
(1) Any pointed object that could be used to stab. (2) Any object with sharpe ned edges or surfaces capable
of cutting.
3. Because not all potential danger ous items can be identified in this
Order, screening officers should use discretion and common sens e
when determining what items are likely to be used as weapons
and/or a means of effecting the escape of inmates.
C. Only sworn law enforcement personnel and Sheriff’s Security Officers on-
duty, on official business, and in agency uniform may bring fir earms into a
court facility.
1. Standing Order dated Decem ber 28, 2001 by Presiding Judge
Richard Park.
2. For the purposes of this Order, "agency uniform" does not in clude
raid vests or other common attire used by personnel assigned to
non-patrol assignments.
Court Security Division Page 3 of 10 3/05 (REV 6/11) D. Judicial officers (i.e. ju dges, commissioners, referees, and magistrates
assigned to any California or F ederal court are authorized to c arry a
firearm into court facilities. T he judicial officer must hold a valid license to
carry the firearm pursuant to, and commencing with, §26150 PC.
1. §171b(b)(2)(B)(3) PC
E. If the law enforcement or j udicial officer is a plaintiff or defendant in a
case before the court, no fir earm is allowed to be carried int o the facility.
1. Penal Code §171b(b)(2)(B)
F. Court employees are authorized to carry a 2.5 ounce canister of OC
(pepper) spray into the court facilities. The employee must h ave “security
access” authorization sticker attached to their court identifi cation badge.
The sticker is issued by the cour t’s Human Resources office.
1. §171b(b)(2)(B)(4) PC G. Contraband which includes ille gal drugs and paraphernalia sh all not be
brought into a court facility by the public or court staff.
II. Staffing
A. Entry screening may be staff ed by Deputy Sheriffs, Reserve D eputy
Sheriffs, and/or Sheriff’s Security Officers.
B. Entry screening will be staff ed with a minimum of two office rs at all times
unless directed by a supervisor.
III. Equipment Repairs
A. The security equipment used at the entry screening checkpoin ts is
purchased and maintained by the courts.
B. In the event a piece of scr eening equipment stops functionin g or needs
repair, Court Security personnel s hall