Policy Text
Policy
901San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentCustodial Searches - 1Custodial Searches
901.1 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 San Luis
Obispo 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.
Guidance for custody searches when transporting a person in custody may be found in the
Transporting Persons in Custody Policy.
Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit the otherwise lawful collection of evidence from an
individual in custody.
901.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Custody search - An in-custody search of an individual and of the individual's 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, rectal cavity, or vagina of
an individual.
Strip search - A search that requires an individual to remove or rearrange some or all of the
individual's 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 the
individual's underclothing, buttocks, genitalia, or female breasts are visible.
901.2 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.
Officers are prohibited from conducting body cavity searches or strip searches. Should there be
a valid reason to consider such searches, this information will be communicated to the Custody
Deputies at the Jail or the Investigations Supervisor at the San Luis Obispo Police Department
for further evaluation and action.
901.3 SEARCHES AT POLICE FACILITIES
Custody searches shall be conducted on all individuals in custody, upon entry to the San Luis
Obispo Police Department facilities. Except in exigent circumstances, the search should be
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Custodial Searches
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentCustodial Searches - 2conducted 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.
901.3.1 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.
901.3.2 VERIFICATION OF MONEY
For procedures on cash handling and booking, refer to Property and Evidence Policy subsection
801.2.4
901.4 TRAINING
The Training Manager shall ensure members have training that includes (28 CFR 115.115):
(a)Conducting searches of cross-gender individuals.
(b)Conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals.
(c)Conducting searches in a professional and respectful manner, and in the least
intrusive manner possible, consistent with security needs.
901.5 GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION CONSIDERATIONS
If an individual who is subject to a strip search or physical body cavity search has a gender
identity or expression that differs from their sex assigned at birth, the search should be conducted
by members of the same gender identity or expression as the individual, unless the individual
requests otherwise.
901.6 JUVENILES
No juvenile should be subjected to a strip search or a physical body cavity search at the
Department.
The Chief of Police or the authorized designee should establish procedures for the following:
(a)Safely transporting a juvenile who is suspected of concealing a weapon or contraband,
or who may be experiencing a medical issue related to such concealment, to a medical
facility or juvenile detention facility as appropriate in the given circumstances.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Custodial Searches
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentCustodial Searches - 31.Procedures should include keeping a juvenile suspected of concealing a weapon
under constant and direct supervision until custody is transferred to the receiving
facility.
(b)Providing officers with information identifying appropriate medical and juvenile
detention facilities to which a juvenile should be transported for a strip or body cavity
search.
Nothing in this