Omaha Police Department Narcotics General Order 2024 PDF

**OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT** **GENERAL ORDER** **This General Order updates the OPD "Narcotics" policy. A new Section II has been added to the policy in order to implement procedures related to the new OPD Special Operations Checklist ([OPD]** [**[Form 27])**](https://powerdms.com/link/OPDEP1/docum...

**OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT** **GENERAL ORDER** **This General Order updates the OPD "Narcotics" policy. A new Section II has been added to the policy in order to implement procedures related to the new OPD Special Operations Checklist ([OPD]** [**[Form 27])**](https://powerdms.com/link/OPDEP1/document/?id=3528045). **CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: THIS POLICY IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.** **PREAMBLE:** Narcotic Field Test Kits are used to test for evidence of a controlled substance. Due to the large variety of controlled substances and the fact that they have multiple chemical compositions, not all illegal narcotics have field test kits. The Omaha Police Department does not provide field test kits for every controlled substance. Officers should be aware that the field testing of certain controlled substances can be dangerous, and they should exercise caution when conducting field tests. **POLICY:** It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) not to cite/arrest subjects for the possession of illegal narcotics unless a preliminary field test shows positive for evidence of the controlled substance, or unless there is other probable cause to arrest. The OPD shall follow the procedures outlined by the Douglas County Attorney's Office to make certain of the successful prosecution of drug cases. It is also the policy of the OPD that undercover purchases of controlled substances made by Narcotics Unit officers shall be documented. **PROCEDURE:** I. **Narcotics Test Kit** A. When officers find what they suspect to be illegal narcotics and a field test is available to test the suspected illegal narcotic, a field test shall be conducted on the substance prior to citing and/or booking individuals for illegal possession of the controlled substance. B. Officers shall obtain test kits from the Forensic Investigations Unit. 1. Officers shall be trained on the proper use of the test kits during their Narcotics lessons at the OPD Training Academy. 2. When conducting a field test, officers shall refer to instructions for use of the test kit listed on the box. 3. Officers shall wear department issued nitrile gloves and protective masks when conducting field tests. 4. Officers shall exercise extreme caution when handling suspected narcotics. 5. A second officer equipped with a NARCAN® Nasal Spray kit shall be present when a test kit is used as all narcotics can become airborne and absorbed by the officer if not handled properly. This is an officer safety issue as a second officer should be alongside the testing officer to administer NARCAN® in the case of accidental inhalation or absorption. NARCAN® shall be administered in accordance with the ["[Naloxone Administration Procedures]"](https://powerdms.com/docs/1224219?q=naloxone) policy. 6. When an officer is testing fentanyl and/or narcotics suspected to contain fentanyl, the officer shall conduct the testing outside. When an officer is conducting a field test, they shall also have a second officer present who is equipped and trained in naloxone (i.e., NARCAN®) administration, for safety. C. Any officer who has questions or concerns regarding the use of the field test kit should contact the Narcotics Unit for assistance. 7. When suspected illegal narcotics are found, a small portion of the suspected controlled substance shall be placed in the test kit. a. 8. Upon test completion, the tested sample will be destroyed, regardless of the result. To destroy the sample, officers shall: b. c. D. If the substance field tests positive, employees shall adhere to the following procedures: 9. The testing officer shall: d. e. f. 10. The Narcotics Unit secretary shall complete the [[Nebraska Public Service Laboratory] [-- Test Request Form (NPSL\_01)]](https://powerdms.com/docs/2757625?q=nebraska%20public%20service%20laboratory) and upload the completed form into the SAFE Evidence Management System. g. 11. The EPU is responsible for transporting the controlled substance and completed form to the UNMC Lab for testing. 12. The UNMC Lab will send a report with the drug test results to the Narcotics Unit. h. E. If the substance field tests negative, or a field test kit is either unavailable or does not exist, officers shall adhere to the following procedures: 13. Should the substance test negative, the suspect may only be arrested if the officer can articulate facts that establish probable cause to believe the substance is a controlled substance (i.e., the officer observed the suspect ingest the substance in a manner in which controlled substances are ingested; additional items, such as needles, packaging, and other drug paraphernalia are present with the substance; or other facts that establish probable cause). Officers may also establish probable cause to make an arrest on charges other than possession of a controlled substance. i. j. 14. If a substance field tests negative and is later determined to be a controlled substance, the Narcotics Unit will prepare an affidavit and application for an arrest warrant charging that individual based upon the reports completed by the testing officer. It is therefore incumbent upon the testing officer to prepare detailed reports surrounding the seizure of the controlled substance. II. **Special Operations** F. **Prior to conducting a narcotics-related special operation, officers shall complete an** 15. **Officers will follow the guidance received from the CIB Captain or their designee as it pertains to special operations.** 16. **The completed [[OPD Form 27]](https://powerdms.com/link/OPDEP1/document/?id=3528045)** **will be maintained in the unit files until the case file is purged, per normal OPD policy and procedures.** III. **Arrests** G. Officers shall follow these procedures, defined by the Douglas County Attorney's Office, when making narcotics arrests. 17. Officers shall request that Forensic Investigations employees take hand swabs of any arrestee who denies knowledge of any illegal narcotic found within their proximity. 18. Officers shall collect and book the following into the Evidence and Property SAFE Evidence Management System: k. l. m. 19. Narcotics Test Kits will not be included as evidence and shall be destroyed as described in this policy. IV. **Purchase** H. When officers make or direct an undercover purchase of controlled substances, officers shall complete a Confidential Funds Expense Voucher [[(OPD Form 65A)].](https://powerdms.com/docs/95?q=65A) This report will serve as a log for undercover narcotics purchases. **REFERENCES:** I. **Previous OPD Orders** A. Previous General Orders include the following: \#87-87, 29-90, 8-16, 26-16, 110-17, 14-18, and 82-22. II. **Other** B. PPM Monthly Updates: \#10-2017, 2-2018, and 6-2018. III. **Accreditation Standards** C. CALEA accreditation standard 83.2.1 is applicable to this policy. TRS/R&P:lmd