Policy Text
Detective Division Page 1 of 2 3/06.0 (REV 1/90)
ARREST POLICY AND PROCEDURE
The purpose of this order is to o utline the Detective Division arrest policy and
procedure. I. Arrest Policy
A. Officers of the Detective Div ision shall ad here to the follo wing policy when
attempting an arrest.
1. Officers shall not attempt an arrest of a non-fleeing felony suspect
alone when assistance is available.
2. Except in hot pursuits, arre sts without a warrant shall not be
attempted in another jurisdicti on without notification and/or r equest
for assistance from the agency hav ing jurisdiction. Notificatio n may
not be necessary if there is a r eciprocal agreement with the
counterpart investigative unit of a nother law enforcement agenc y to
handle arrests without pri or notification.
3. If there is insufficient ti me to secure a needed search warr ant at the
time of a subject’s arrest, off icers shall be stationed at the location
to prevent destruction of evidenc e while a search warrant is
obtained.
II. Felony Arrest Without a Warrant
A. When an officer observes a cr ime being committed in his/her presence, an
arrest without a wa rrant may be made.
B. When probable cause to arrest a suspect exists and imperativ e
circumstances do not dictate an immediate arrest, an arrest war rant shall
be obtained.
C. An arrest without a warrant a lso may be made when probable c ause to
arrest exists and the suspec t is confronted in public.
D. When an investigator enters a dwelling with intent to interv iew a suspect
and during the interview establis hes probable cause, an arrest without a
warrant may be made.
Detective Division Page 2 of 2 3/06.0 (REV 1/90)
E. When an investigator ’s purpose to enter a dwelling is to arr est a suspect
on probable cause, an arrest wa rrant should first be obtained, unless one
or more of the following circumstances exists:
1. Imminent danger to life; 2. Serious damage to property; 3. Immediate escape of a suspect; or 4. Destruction of evidence.
F. In order for the deputy District Attorney to successfully pr osecute the
suspect, any exigent circumst ances supporting an arrest without a warrant
shall be documented in the offense report.
III. Arrest with a Warrant
A. Ensure the warrant is valid. B. Ensure the suspect being arre sted is the same as the individ ual named in
the warrant.
C. Properly book the suspect, com pleting the warrant return.