NCJ Number
142660
Date Published
1991
Length
190 pages
Annotation
Because the role of law enforcement in America's parks and recreation areas has shown a steady increase in recent years, the purpose of this book is to provide a reference for park law enforcement officers, fish and game wardens, and other land management officers on how the constitution affects their contacts with visitors in the park or refuge setting.
Abstract
Like officers in other settings, park law enforcement officers must follow constitutional guidelines and mandates in their encounters with park visitors. If they fail to follow these guidelines, they face the potential consequences of suppressed evidence, as well as personal criminal and civil liability. The book includes a review of liability, civil rights, and police powers and describes procedures involved in confronting suspicious park visitors, arresting visitors, and search and seizure. The handbook also covers suspect identification, evidence, surveillance, entrapment, and first amendment rights. In addition, special considerations in park law enforcement are addressed, including pursuit driving, dealing with juveniles, dealing with military personnel, establishing probable cause with intoxicated drivers, diplomatic immunity, and drug law enforcement. An overview of liability and specific aspects of tort liability is included. Relevant legal cases are cited, along with excerpts from the U.S. Constitution and selected pertinent statutes from the U.S. Code. 13 figures