Policy Text
Communications Page 1 of 2 4/03.0 (REV 10/93)
CRIMINAL HISTORY AND WARRANT INQUIRIES
The purpose of this order is to p rovide guidelines and procedur es for criminal history
and warrant inquiries made by C ommunications personnel.
I. Legal and Administrative Messages
A. Employees of this departmen t shall obtain copies of reports, documents,
bulletins, memoranda, etc., for la w enforcement purposes only ( General
Order 7/01 [Rev 1/89]).
B. It is unlawful to release loca l or state criminal history (r ap sheet) data to
anyone not authorized by law to r eceive such information (Secti ons 11142
and 11149.3 PC).
II. Responsibility
A. Normally, retrieving criminal history and warrant informatio n is the
responsibility of the Records Bu reau. However, due to unforesee n
circumstances, it may occasional ly be necessary for Communicati ons
personnel to perform this task.
III. Criteria for Use
A. Under no circumst ances will a telephone request for criminal history
information be accepted. Any offi cer with access to a phone wil l be
directed to call Records.
B. Criminal history and warran t inquiries should normally be ma de only under
the following circumstances:
1. When the records channel is in operative due to mechanical fa ilure
and no other channel is available fo r conversation with Records .
2. When the records channel is in use for a tactical operation and no
other channel is free for c ontact with Records.
3. When Records is unable to ret rieve information due to comput er
failure.
Communications Page 2 of 2 4/03.0 (REV 10/93)
4. When directed to do so by the on-duty Communications supervi sor
or designee.
5. When necessary to provide perti nent and complete information on
a call for service.
IV. Criminal History Printouts
A. No one in the Communications Cent er is to make or distribute a hard copy
of any person’s criminal histo ry. If a copy is inadvertently ma de, the
following procedure shall apply:
1. Immediately report the inci dent to the Communications superv isor
or designee.
2. Give the printout to the supervisor or designee.
3. The supervisor or designee shal l dispose of the document in the
confidential waste receptacle.