NCJ Number
205421
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 73 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2004 Pages: 8-11
Date Published
May 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article instructs police officers in techniques and policies for conducting thorough searches of suspects after they have been handcuffed.
Abstract
Training in prisoner searches should be a continuous part of ongoing officer training. It might best be included as part of training in arrest procedures. The training should emphasize the fundamentals of a complete and safe prisoner search. If the suspect is under arrest, then officers should conduct the search after handcuffing him/her behind the back. Officers should conduct the search from a safe position, staying behind the prisoner at a 45-degree angle from his/her body. From the rear, officers can use one hand to maintain control of the prisoner and then conduct the search with the other hand. The search should be systematic, sectioning the body into quadrants. The quarters should overlap, ensuring that when officers search all of the quadrants, they will have overlapped areas and not omitted any. Special attention should be given to places where weapons are commonly found, such as the waist area, boots, and clothing with multiple pockets. Hands should never be thrust into a suspect's pocket because of the danger of being pricked with a needle or cut with a sharp object. Feel what is in the pocket from the outside through a twisting motion and then carefully turn the pockets inside out. Every item found on the prisoner's person should be placed in a paper bag and removed to a place away from the prisoner, since any item found may contain a hidden weapon. A more thorough search of each item can be conducted later. All prisoners should be searched by officers receiving a prisoner from another officer. 5 notes