4.108 Transporting Prisoners.docx

4.108 TRANSPORTING PRISONERS It is the policy of this department that the transportation of prisoners will be performed with the safety of the officer, the prisoner, and the general public being of primary importance at all times. Procedure Transport Operations Prisoner Searches: Officers will care...

4.108 TRANSPORTING PRISONERS It is the policy of this department that the transportation of prisoners will be performed with the safety of the officer, the prisoner, and the general public being of primary importance at all times. Procedure Transport Operations Prisoner Searches: Officers will carefully and thoroughly search prisoners, including removal and search of any footwear (the arrestee will remain handcuffed while the officer will remove and check the shoes and socks for weapons and/or contraband), and take possession of all weapons and evidence prior to placing prisoners in vehicles. When practical, prisoners will be searched by officers of the same sex. Detention Services Division (DSD) personnel will conduct searches of inmates before and after each move outside of the detention center. Officer/Prisoner Seating: Vehicles Without Prisoner Screens A police officer, in a standard sedan without a prisoner screen, transporting an individual prisoner will place the prisoner in the front passenger seat. In a two-officer unit, the prisoner will be placed in the rear seat behind the passenger’s position and the second officer behind the driver. A second prisoner would be placed in the front seat. Individual officers will not transport more than one prisoner, nor a two-officer unit more than two prisoners without supervisory approval. Vehicles with Prisoner Screens Prisoner screens are not bullet resistant and are not intended to replace good safety practices such as thorough searches of suspects and vehicle interiors, proper handcuffing techniques, and monitoring prisoner activities. In a standard one or two-officer patrol sedan equipped with a prisoner screen, up to two prisoners of the same or opposite sex may be transported in the rear seat. In a two-officer unit, the second officer in the front passenger seat will periodically monitor prisoners. No more than two prisoners will be transported without supervisory approval. When two prisoners are combative, officers may, at their discretion, hobble the prisoners or transport them separately. If a prisoner is to be held in a parked vehicle for an extended period of time, consideration should be given to leaving the safety barrier in the lowered position and the front windows opened slightly for air circulation. A prisoner will not be left alone in a vehicle unless under close observation. Special Prisoner Transport Vehicles Officers will place prisoners in the rear of special prisoner transport vehicles, not to exceed the manufacturer’s specifications. Contingent upon the assignment, one or two officers will be assigned and seated in the front. Discretion is allowed of supervisors in transporting situations based on the functions to be performed, number of prisoners, security and safety of prisoners, and the anticipated violence level of the prisoners. Resident Officer Vehicles Resident officers may transport two persons (same or opposite sex) in the rear of the vehicle. If the two persons are combative, the least violent prisoner will be placed in the front passenger seat. More than two persons may be transported at the same time with the permission of a supervisor. DSD Vehicles Corrections officers and inmates will be seated in DSD vehicles according to the type of vehicle, number of corrections personnel present, number of inmates, and security classifications of inmates. Transport Without Delay Due to the relatively short distances involved, officers will transport prisoners to the appropriate facility without delay and will not accompany them to their homes, eating establishments, rest room facilities, etc., where sight and control of the prisoner could be compromised. Prisoners will be denied public contact with others, and may not smoke, eat, or drink while being transported. Officers will not be diverted to any other law enforcement activities while transporting unless the risk to third parties is both clear and grave, the risk to the prisoner(s) is minimal, and supervisory approval is given. Under no circumstances will a person under arrest be held in a transport vehicle longer than two (2) hours before being transported to the detention facility and booked. Conversely, patrol officers assigned to operate prisoner transport vehicles are to engage in other law enforcement activities, such as traffic and pedestrian stops, writing citations, field investigations, assisting citizens, advising of hazards, making arrests, etc., when not transporting prisoners. Escape of Prisoner In the event of a prisoner escape, the transporting officer will notify Communications and attempt to recapture the prisoner. The officer may request additional units to establish a perimeter and/or conduct a search, taking into consideration the original charge for which the prisoner was in custody and the level of threat to citizens in the area. Should the escape occur in another jurisdiction the transporting officer will notify Communications, if possible, and the agency in whose jurisdiction the escape occurred. An Officer's Report will be completed detailing the events of the escape. Transporting From One Facility to Another At the destination point, officers will secure their weapons in gun lockers. Handcuffs will not be removed until the prisoner is placed in a holding cell or placed in the custody of a corrections officer, court security officer, medical officer, etc. Documentation accompanying the prisoner will be turned over to the receiving officer and his signature obtained. Prisoners taken to medical facilities for admittance or examination will be kept under close security at all times. Vehicle Search and Examination Vehicles will be searched at start of the shift, immediately prior to and after transporting prisoners to ensure that no contraband, weapons, or other such items are present. Special transport vehicles will also be checked for condition, operation, and presence of tools and safety equipment, as applicable. Special Transport Situations Prisoners of the Opposite Sex When a prisoner is transported by an officer of the opposite sex, the start/stop mileage, to include tenths of a mile, will be entered on the tablet (see LVMPD 7.235, Voice Radio Communications). If a prisoner of the opposite sex is transported in a vehicle without a tablet, the start/stop mileage will be voice reported to the dispatcher. Prisoners of both sexes may be transported together as long as the ability to restrict contact exists. Every effort should be taken to prevent an opportunity for an allegation of misconduct. Handicapped, Sick, Mentally Ill, or Injured Prisoners Whenever possible, handicapped, sick, injured, or mentally ill prisoners will be transported and restrained in the same manner as other prisoners. In emergency situations, ambulance services may be required. Treatment of prisoners incurring injuries during the arrest process and other medical services will be handled in accordance with LVMPD 7.127, Medical Care and Billing for Prisoners. Transportation to Funerals, Etc. The DSD Transportation Section may transport prisoners to funerals, reading of wills, visiting a critically ill person, etc., when directed by court order. Special precautions, such as the use of additional restraints, additional personnel, SWAT, etc., should be taken if the prisoner poses a security risk. Restraining Devices Handcuffs Except under extraordinary situations approved by a supervisor, no member will permit a prisoner to enter a department vehicle without first being handcuffed. Prisoners in police vehicles will be handcuffed behind the back, unless impractical or impossible due to prisoner obesity, handicap, or other reason. Special restraints will not be used unless approved by a supervisor. Handcuffs, belly chains and/or leg irons will be used by corrections officers in DSD vehicles and patrol officers operating prisoner transport vehicles, as appropriate for the transporting vehicle and security requirements. Leg Restraints Officers may restrain the legs of combative prisoners with soft leg restraints, commonly known as “hobbles.” Hobbles may be commercial leg restraint devices or any issued by the department. Rope hobbles may not be used. Officers must receive defensive tactics training in proper leg restraint procedures before hobbling prisoners. When a prisoner’s legs are hobbled, the trailing end of the restraint will be anchored out the passenger door of the vehicle so as to not catch on anything while the vehicle is in motion. Officers will not attempt to restrain a prisoner's legs without the assistance of another officer. Hobbles will not be used to secure prisoners’ legs to fixed positions inside a vehicle, as this could result in serious injury in the event of an accident. Restraining devices will not be affixed to the prisoner's handcuffs, nor will prisoners be transported facedown with their hands behind their back and their legs restrained. Transporting face down on an ambulance gurney is permissible when attending medical personnel determine that it will not be harmful to the prisoner. Seat Belts Unless physically impossible because of size, handicap, etc., all prisoners transported in department vehicles that are equipped with seat restraint/belts will be secured with the restraints before vehicles are set in motion. (8/11, 1/17)■