Searches - Persons - 2

Inventory Search Purpose

• To inventory and secure personal property, protect detention staff, and prevent contraband from entering the Douglas County Department of Corrections (DCDC).
• Evidence found during an inventory search is admissible in court.

Inventory Search Procedures at DCDC

• Conducted on all arrestees before they enter the DCDC booking area.
• It is a standard booking procedure involving a thorough search of the person and their property.

Inventory Search Steps

• Arrestees must remain handcuffed and restrained throughout the booking process.
• Cooperative, non-combative arrestees may be unrestrained temporarily to remove piercings, hair clips, and jewelry, after which restraints are immediately reapplied.
• Upon arrival at the DCDC, officers will place the arrestee in the "red box" area of the Admission/Pre-Booking area for an immediate pat-down search.
• The pat-down search must be done on all arrestees.
• The "red box" area is under constant surveillance by DCDC staff, recorded for observation.
• Officers use a metal detection wand to search the arrestee and belongings before removing handcuffs or clothing
• If a metal detection wand was not used prior to transport, it must be used upon arrival at DCDC.
• Metal detection wands are available at DCDC (Pre-Booking area), in UPB sergeant cars, and at OPD Headquarters.

Gender Considerations During Searches

• Whenever possible, male suspects are searched by male OPD officers, and female suspects by female OPD officers.
• DCDC staff will not assist with the search
• If needed, OPD officers should request additional OPD officers to assist at DCDC.
• If staffing is an issue, the arresting officer contacts an on-duty OPD Lieutenant or higher-ranked Command Officer to contact DCDC for resolution.
• Same-gender officers conduct a full inventory search in the "red box" area,
• Cross-gender pat downs are only conducted in the "red box" area when necessary.

Non-Traditional Gender Identity/Expression Search Protocol

• Determine the suspect's gender based on their valid government-issued ID.
• If no ID is available, use official government/law enforcement databases.
• If no database record is found, politely and respectfully inquire about the person’s gender.
• Officers should not question the suspect’s gender identity or inquire about intimate anatomical details without compelling reasons.
• If a suspect identifies as a different gender than their legally-documented sex or requests an officer of another sex for the search, an officer of that gender should be requested.
• If there is doubt about who should perform the search, a supervisor should be notified, unless it would jeopardize safety.

Handling of Property

• Shoes must be removed and searched.
• All property is placed in DCDC property bags and itemized per DCDC policy, including cell phones, evidence, escape implements, etc.
• Property bags are labeled with the arrestee’s name, date of birth, and other DCDC-required information.
• DCDC may require a DCDC inventory form for bags or external containers.
• Property bags are placed in the DCDC property pass-through bin below the booking window.
• Pocket knives under 3 inches are allowed in the arrestee’s property; longer knives are booked as OPD evidence or released to a responsible person.
• Drugs, weapons, and other contraband are secured and documented per OPD policies.
• Cellular telephones will not be searched without a warrant.
• Coats and outerwear must be removed
• All bags, purses, etc., must be thoroughly searched.
• Any items considered evidence of criminal activity are set aside and booked as evidence per OPD policy.

Outside Agency Searches

• OPD officers will not be dispatched to DCDC to perform inventory searches for outside agencies.
• If inadvertently dispatched, officers must contact their supervisor, who will then contact the outside agency representative for assistance from a DCDC supervisor.

Strip/Body Cavity Searches

• Recognize that strip searches and body cavity searches may be necessary for safety, evidence collection, and facility security.
• Such searches must be conducted with proper authorization, justification, and respect for human dignity.

Strip Searches

• Individuals arrested for traffic violations and other minor, nonviolent offenses will not be strip-searched unless there is reasonable suspicion of concealed contraband or weapons.
• Reasonable suspicion may be based on the nature of the offense, the arrestee’s appearance and demeanor, the circumstances of the arrest, criminal record, discovery of evidence, or detection of suspicious objects.
• The reason for the strip search must be clearly articulated in the appropriate report, or an Information Report if no other report is completed.
• All adult strip searches, including field strip searches, require approval from a command officer at the rank of Lieutenant or above
• Narcotics Unit Sergeants may approve all strip searches.
• Juvenile strip searches require approval from a command officer at the rank of Captain or above and are only approved in exigent circumstances.
• Field strip searches of arrestees are only conducted when exigent circumstances exist and in privacy.
• Strip searches must be conducted by officers familiar with the process in conformance with hygienic procedures and professional practices.
• Conduct the search in a private place with restricted access, preferably at the DCDC or in an interview room.
• Conduct the search by the fewest number of same-sex officers necessary.
• Ensure privacy from all but those authorized to conduct the search.
• If a suspect consents to a strip search, complete the “strip search” section of OPD Form 5 (Permission for Search) to document the consent prior to the search.
• If the suspect refuses to sign OPD Form 5, do not conduct a consensual strip search.
• After a strip search, the officer must submit a Supplementary Report articulating the Reasonable Suspicion including the date, time, and place of the search, identities of the officer, approving authority (Lieutenant or above), and individual searched. Also include who was present, a detailed description of the search, and any items found.

Body Cavity Searches

• Body cavity searches can only be conducted with a warrant approved and authorized by a Judge.
• Recognize that such searches are highly invasive and reasonable only for serious offenses or threats to safety.
• If a strip search or other information leads an officer to believe a suspect is concealing items in a body cavity:
• Advise the suspect of Miranda warnings before questioning them to determine the nature and location of the contraband.
• Keep the suspect under constant visual surveillance until a body cavity search is conducted or an alternative action is taken.
• Consult with an immediate supervisor to determine if probable cause exists to seek a search warrant, authorized by a command officer at the rank of Lieutenant or above.
• If probable cause exists, prepare an affidavit for a search warrant that clearly defines the nature of the alleged offense and the basis for the officer’s probable cause.
• The search will be performed only by an authorized agency physician or by another medically trained employee at the physician’s direction, based on a search warrant.
• The medical professional conducting the search will provide a copy of the medical report to the requesting law enforcement agency, and the witnessing officer will co-sign the report and include a copy in the case file.
• The search will be conducted at a medical facility with a same-sex officer present for safety, security, and chain of custody.
• If a juvenile body cavity search warrant is approved, the search must be conducted by a medical professional at Methodist Children’s Hospital.
• Body cavity searches must be performed with due recognition of privacy and hygienic concerns.
• Following a body cavity search, the officer must submit a Supplementary Report articulating the Probable Cause.
• Include the date, time, and place of the search, identities of the officer(s) directing the search, the approving authority (Lieutenant or above), and the individual searched. Also include who was present, a detailed description of the search, and any items found.

Non-Traditional Gender Identity/Expression for Strip or Body Cavity Searches

• Determine the suspect’s gender based on their valid government-issued ID.
• If no ID is available, use official government/law enforcement databases.
• If no database record is available, politely and respectfully inquire about the person’s gender.
• Officers should not question the suspect’s gender identity or inquire about intimate anatomical details without compelling reasons.
• If a suspect identifies as a different gender than their legally-documented sex or requests an officer of another sex for the search, an officer of that gender should be requested.
• If there is any doubt about who should perform the search, a supervisor should be notified, unless it would jeopardize safety.

This lesson outlines the inventory search purposes and procedures at the Douglas County Department of Corrections (DCDC). It details the steps involved in conducting thorough searches of arrestees and their property to secure personal belongings and prevent contraband from entering the facility. The process ensures evidence found is admissible in court.