2-06/010.00 Searching



All inmates or individuals being placed into custody or arriving at any court lockup shall be physically searched using departmentally approved searching methods by Sheriff’s personnel, regardless of their status. Officer safety is paramount in these situations and adequate personnel should be available when searching large numbers of inmates.

Branch Supervisors and/or lockup supervisor should make efforts to assist and observe the searching of inmates. The use of hand-held metal detectors, if available, may be used to supplement the “hand search” of all inmates. The search shall be thorough and should concentrate on areas where inmates are known to hide contraband or weapons.

A pat down search of a line of male inmates in a station, jail, or courthouse may be conducted by female and male Deputies or Custody Assistants working simultaneously refer to Manual Policy and Procedures

Female personnel shall search female inmates for propriety reasons.

Pat Down /Cursory Search

A Pat Down/Cursory Search is a search which requires the physical “patting” of a person over their clothing. This search shall be conducted on all new bookings before accepting them from any arresting agency. This search may be conducted at any time, on any inmate, by any custodial personnel in order to discover and retrieve concealed weapons and/or contraband which may be hidden under an inmate’s clothing.

However, the wall prop position for searches shall not be used on Special Handle inmates classified as “A” (Hand-Cuff Cover System); “E” (Escape Risk); “H” (Highly Dangerous) “K-1" (Keep away); “Z” (Condemned Prisoner), etc. due to their known past behaviors. Additional care and control of these inmates is necessary for the safety of Deputy and Court personnel.

Note: Juvenile inmate(s) entering a court lockup facility, regardless of their custody status, i.e. probation juvenile, “unfit”, CYA or any other title, will be searched, by Sheriff Personnel. Probation officer(s) can assist in the searching of the juvenile inmates. Refer to CSDM, 2-06/010.20 - Search of Outside Agency Inmates.