Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques PDF

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 7 Frisks and Searches Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate pat down, custodial, and inmate clothed searches and articulate the process for conducting a strip/unclothed search. A search is a government intrusion into...

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 7 Frisks and Searches Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate pat down, custodial, and inmate clothed searches and articulate the process for conducting a strip/unclothed search. A search is a government intrusion into a place in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Because inmates and probationers have a significantly reduced expectation of privacy, searches by corrections and probation officers are much less limited by Fourth Amendment concerns. ✅ HL437.1. Demonstrate conducting physical frisks and searches Three search techniques are typically used in the defensive tactics context: pat down, custodial, and inmate. Pat-Down Technique A pat down is a physical frisk of a subject conducted in a predetermined pattern to locate weapons. Before a law enforcement officer may conduct a pat down, they must have reasonable suspicion that the subject is armed (see s. 901.151, F.S., Stop and Frisk Law). Reasonable suspicion means that facts or circumstances exist that reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a violation of the law. “The purpose of a pat down is not to discover evidence of a crime but to allow the officer to pursue his or her investigation without fear of violence.” See Adams v. Williams, 407 U.S. 143 (1972). Under the plain touch/feel doctrine, the officer may seize any object “whose contour or mass” the officer identifies as apparent contraband. See Minnesota v. Dickerson, 508 U.S. 366 (1993). A law enforcement officer may pat down only the outside of the clothing for weapons. When conducting a pat down: 1. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the process. 2. Be aware of verbal and non-verbal cues that indicate the probability of aggressive behav- ior. Remember that you are in the danger zone. 3. Visually scan the subject while assuming the interview stance. 4. Have the subject lift their arms to tighten clothing so you can visually search potential concealment areas, such as the waistline. 258 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2  5. Have the subject move their hands away from their body. 6. Have the subject place their hands in a way so they can be controlled. 7. Physically control the subject’s hands. 8. Keep the subject off balance. 9. Conduct the pat down in a predetermined pattern. 10. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). If you find a weapon, take it and place it beyond the subject’s reach in a safe location. If handcuff- ing is not tactically sound, follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-32) Figure 4-32 Pat down technique Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 259 Custodial Search Technique A custodial search technique is used when a subject is taken into custody in an unsecured envi- ronment. Unlike the pat down, this is a complete search of the subject. Perform a custodial search of a subject in a systematic and predetermined pattern using the quad- rant search approach; this divides the body into four sections horizontally and vertically. During this close contact inside the danger zone, you are most vulnerable to a subject’s physical assault. For this reason, handcuff first and then search. The primary purpose of a custodial search is to detect potential weapons or contraband. By search- ing the subject’s body, you should be able to detect items hidden in their clothing or on their body. You may search inside the waistband and pockets; however, you must be careful to avoid being injured by sharp objects, for example, needles and razor blades. Follow agency policies regarding searching a subject of the opposite sex. You may modify the hand position to avoid inappropriate contact. If possible, there should be a witness to the search. When searching a handcuffed subject, do the following: 1. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the process. 2. Keep the subject off balance. 3. Physically control the subject’s hands. 4. Conduct the search in a predetermined pattern. The groin is one of the most commonly overlooked areas. Remain professional and focus on conducting a proper, thorough search. 5. Follow up with the appropriate the action(s). (See Figure 4-33) Figure 4-33 Custodial search technique 260 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Inmate Search Techniques Searches of inmates are primarily designed to uncover contraband, prevent escapes, maintain sani- tary standards, and eliminate safety hazards. There are three types of inmate searches: clothed, strip/unclothed, and body cavity. Clothed Search Clothed searches of inmates can be conducted at random by officers during the course of their daily routine. A female officer may conduct a search of a clothed male inmate. A male officer will conduct a clothed search of a female inmate only during an emergency situation as determined by the shift supervisor. The only exception to this provision is an instance when time and circum- stances do not permit the presence of a female officer or consultation with the shift supervisor. If there is an imminent threat of physical violence, a search may be needed to secure the inmate to prevent injury to staff or other inmates. Like a custodial search, a clothed search follows the quadrant search approach. In an institutional setting, however, handcuffing is not required because there is little risk of escape. Officers should be aware, though, of their vulnerability to a physical assault. To conduct a clothed search: 1. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the process. 2. Remove or have the inmate remove the contents of their pockets and take off their shoes and hat. 3. Inspect the shoes, hat, and personal effects before proceeding. 4. Keep the inmate off balance. 5. Maintain visual contact with the inmate’s hands (for example, have the inmate face the wall with hands on the wall). 6. Conduct the search in a predetermined pattern. 7. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). Strip or Unclothed Search A strip or unclothed search is done visually. The officer does not touch the inmate during the search. Strip or unclothed searches of an inmate may be conducted only by correctional officers who are of the same sex as the inmate, except in emergency circumstances. Inmates will generally be unclothed and searched upon their arrival at the correctional institution after returning from court, other institutions, any place where they may have come in contact with the public, or after an escape or attempted escape. There may be other occasions for a strip or unclothed search based on agency policies, or if there is reason to believe an inmate possesses contraband. Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 261 Before you can conduct a strip or unclothed search, you must move the inmate out of view of the inmate population. Only the inmate and staff involved will be present during the search. To conduct a strip or unclothed search: 1. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the process. 2. Have the inmate remove all clothing. 3. Search the inmate’s hair, ears, and mouth (dentures must be removed). 4. Visually check the entire body including armpits, hands, pubic region, between the toes, soles of the feet, inner portions of the legs, and groove between the buttocks. Any bandages or casts should be thoroughly examined by medical staff. 5. Search every article of clothing and personal property, including collars, cuffs, lapels, seams, and linings. Examine shoes for split soles, false linings, and removable insoles or heels. 6. Follow up per agency policies based on the results of the search. Body Cavity Search Body cavity searches of inmates may be done only by appropriate health services staff members according to agency policies. 262 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2