Policy Text
Search Procedures
Purpose of the
order The purpose of this order is to establish standard search proce dures for
investigative personnel assigned t o the Narcotics Investigation s Division
(N.I.D. ).
Search Policy The following lists describe the N .I.D.’s policy regarding cond ucting
searches.
A. It shall be the policy of the N.I .D. of the Sacramento County S heriff’s
Department to conduct searches in a lawful, thorough, and safe manner.
B. Searches shall be based on the legal issues of consent, probati on, parole,
incident to arrest, lost or aba ndoned property, emergency circu mstances,
probable cause, and search warrants.
C. Officer safety issues shall be of the highest priority whenever searches
are conducted.
D. Supervisors shall assure that sufficient personnel are availabl e whenever
searches are planned.
E. The procedures used after contra band (or other property subject to
seizure) is located are importa nt in terms of c ourt proceedings and
protectin g ourselves from false accusations.
Distribution of
operational outline A. Whenever a search of a location is anticipated, an operational outline
shall be forwarded to the Com munication Center by one of the
following methods:
1. Hand carried
2. Phoned into the Communications C enter Sergeant or C-1 Station.
Note: This also applies to operations outside the County jurisdicti on area.
The effected outside agency shall be provided with a written or verbal
operational outline.
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Presearch
precautions Prior to initiating a search, the supervisor involved shall ins ure the
following procedures and precautions, which will be adhered to when
practical. These procedures and pr ecautions are outlined in th e list below.
A. All officers will wear raid jackets or other clothing that clea rly identifies
them as a peace officer.
B. Appropriate body armor shall be worn.
C. All officers involved in the sear ch are aware of the scope of t he search
and what items officers may search for.
D. If possible forced entry is anti cipated, a ram or other appropr iate tools
are utilized in order to p revent officer injury.
E. Confirm that the Communications Center has been notified of the game
plan.
F. Provide verbal or written operati onal outlines to WISN or LACle ar to
avoid conflicting situations ari sing with outside agencies.
G. The case officer or his design ee shall do a “driveby” or have a n officer
sit on the “point” of the locati on to be searched prior to the final
briefing. This will ensure that officers involved in the searc h will have
u
p-to-date information prior to a pproachin g the location.
Searches for
evidence or contraband The following is a list of polic ies officers must adhere to whe n searching for
evidence or contraband.
A. Each officer involved in a searc h must keep in mind that an ind ividual’s
right to privacy and protection agai nst unreasonable and warran tless
searches are among the most prot ected individual rights as set forth in
our constitution.
B. While officers should not be deterr ed from searching to the ful lest
extent allowed by the law, they should not cause unnecessary da mage or
any inconvenience when a search is conducted.
C. Officers shall search as thor oughly and where ever allowed by l aw.
D. A search is a reasonable and leg al action in a criminal investi gation and
officers are frequently require d to move, damage and/or disasse mble
items.
1. Whenever such actions are necessa ry, officers shall use proper tools
and cause the least damage possible
E. Structural damage shall only be done with approval of the super visor
and shall be done with t he least amount of dama ge possible.
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Inventory of
seized property The following list describes the procedure that shall be follow ed for all
items seized from a location.
A. All items seized from a locati on shall be itemized and a writte n
inventory included in the crim inal investigation report.
B. An itemized copy of the seized pr operty and/or contraband may a lso be
left at the location of the search, for the use of an
y interested parties.
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