Policy Text
Procedure
4005Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/12/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentARREST APPROVAL - 1ARREST APPROVAL
4005.1 INTRODUCTION
Issues involving civil liability, arrest, and report quality are of a major concern. This procedure sets
in place appropriate accountability for supervisors in the arrest and reporting process, which will
increase the quality of service while diminishing potential liability.
4005.2 POLICY
(a)Establishing a written policy regarding supervisory approval for arrests is important
for several reasons. It helps ensure that we adhere to Department standards. It sets
appropriate responsibility for the supervisors to review legal issues, such as probable
cause and search and seizure. Moreover, it will provide a vehicle for quality control
in the report review process. This quality control measure is designed to enhance the
quality of our work performance, increase our filing rate, reduce vulnerability during
civil rights litigation, and increase community satisfaction.
4005.3 SUPERVISORS
(a)Supervisors authorized to approve arrests are all sworn officers the rank of Sergeant
or above, and Corporals when a Sergeant is unavailable.
4005.4 PROCEDURES
(a)Arrest Approval
1.All arrests must be approved by a supervisor with the exception of driving
under the influence, warrant arrests, and petty theft shoplifting where a private
persons arrest is involved. If the arresting officer believes there is potential
liability exposure, he/she will contact a supervisor regardless of the type of arrest
involved.
(b)Special Approval
1.All PC 148 and PC 243 arrests require the approval of the Watch Commander.
4005.5 SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITY
(a)Responsibility
1.Supervisors will share responsibility for the appropriateness of the arrest with
the arresting officer.
(b)Accountability
1.Supervisors approving arrests will be held accountable for confirming that proper
probable cause; search and seizure, evidence collection and elements of the
crime exist prior to booking or citing an arrestee.
(c)Documentation
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
ARREST APPROVAL
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/12/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentARREST APPROVAL - 21.The approving supervisor's name and badge number will be listed on all reports
that require approval.
(a)The approving supervisor's badge number will be entered in Court Liaison
files along with the arresting officer's badge number.
(d)Report Review
1.Supervisors are expected to conduct periodic report reviews to ensure thorough,
concise and high-quality reports.
(e)Training/corrective Action
1.Supervisors who identify or are made aware of deficiencies or discrepancies
contained in a report will immediately take appropriate corrective and/or remedial
action with the involved officer.
(a)It is the responsibility of all supervisors to provide guidance, assistance,
and training to officers on arrests and investigations of a complex nature.
(b)Supervisors should provide instruction to investigating officers to ensure
a complete investigation. This guidance should be based on the premise
that field investigations must be as complete as practical, following up all
readily available information to a proper conclusion.