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Policy 607Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentWarrant Service - 1Warrant Service 607.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes guidelines for the planning and serving of arrest and search warrants by members of this department. It is understood that this policy cannot address every variable or circumstance that can arise in the service of a search or arrest warrant, as these tasks can involve rapidly evolving and unique circumstances. This policy is intended to be used in conjunction with the Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy, which has additional guidance on planning and serving high-risk warrants. This policy is not intended to address the service of search warrants on locations or property already secured or routine field warrant arrests by patrol officers. 607.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Santa Ana Police Department to balance the safety needs of the public, the safety of department members, privacy interests and other relevant factors when making decisions related to the service of search and arrest warrants. 607.3 RISK ASSESSMENT The affected Division Commander (see the Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy) shall review all risk assessment forms with the involved supervisor to determine the risk level of the warrant service. The SWAT Commander is responsible for coordinating the service of warrants categorized as high risk. Deconfliction, risk assessment, operational planning, briefing and debriefing should follow guidelines in the Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy. 607.4 SEARCH WARRANTS Officers should receive authorization from a supervisor before preparing a search warrant application. Once authorization is received, the officer will prepare the affidavit and search warrant, consulting with the applicable prosecuting attorney as needed. He/she will also complete the risk assessment form and submit it, along with the warrant affidavit, to the appropriate supervisor and Division Commander for review and classification of risk (see Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy). 607.5 ARREST WARRANTS If an officer reasonably believes serving an arrest warrant may pose a higher risk than commonly faced on a daily basis, the officer should complete the risk assessment form and submit it to the appropriate supervisor and Division Commander for review and classification of risk (See Operations Planning and Deconfliction Policy). Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Warrant Service Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentWarrant Service - 2If the warrant is classified as high risk, service will be coordinated by the SWAT Commander. If the warrant is not classified as high risk, the supervisor should weigh the risk of entry into a residence to make an arrest against other alternatives, such as arresting the person outside the residence where circumstances may pose a lower risk. 607.6 WARRANT PREPARATION An officer who prepares a warrant should ensure the documentation in support of the warrant contains as applicable: (a)Probable cause to support the search or arrest, including relevant dates and times to demonstrate timeliness and facts to support any request for nighttime warrant execution. 1.Officers shall not seek a no-knock warrant unless approved by a Bureau Commander or higher. (b)A clear explanation of the affiant's training, experience, and relevant education. (c)Adequately supported opinions, when relevant, that are not left to unsubstantiated conclusions. (d)A nexus between the place to be searched and the persons or items central to the investigation. The facts supporting this nexus should be clear and current. For example, the affidavit shall explain why there is probable cause to believe that a particular person is currently residing at a particular location or that the items sought are present at a particular location. (e)Full disclosure of known or suspected residents at the involved location and any indication of separate living spaces at the involved location. For example, it should be disclosed that several people may be renting bedrooms at a single location, even if the exact location of the rooms is not known. (f)A specific description of the location to be searched, including photographs of the location, if reasonably available. (g)A sufficient description of the items to be seized. (h)Full disclosure of any known exculpatory information relevant to the warrant application (refer to the Brady Material Disclosure Policy). 607.7 WARRANT SERVICE The SWAT Commander or the authorized designee shall coordinate the service of warrants categorized as high risk and shall have sole authority in determining the manner in which the warrant will be served, including the number of officers deployed. The member responsible for directing the service should ensure the following as applicable: (a)When practicable and when doing so does not cause unreasonable risk, video or photographic documentation is made of the condition of the location prior to execution of a search warrant. The images should include the area surrounding the involved location and all persons present. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Warrant Service Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentWarrant Service - 3(b)The warrant service is audio- and video-recorded when practicable and reasonable to do so. (c)Evidence is handled and collected only by those members who are designated to do so. All other members involved in the service of the warrant should alert one of the designated members to the presence of potential evidence and not touch or disturb the items. (d)Reasonable efforts are made during the search to maintain or restore the condition of the location.