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Lancaster Station's Unit Orders / Unit Orders 66-70

LCS Unit Order 68


LCS Unit Order 67
LCS Unit Order 69

LANCASTER STATION

UNIT ORDER # 68

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PATROL PROCEDURES

 

PURPOSE:

 

The purpose of this Station Order is to establish supplemental patrol procedures for field personnel.

 

SCOPE:

 

This Directive applies to all personnel assigned to Lancaster Station.

 

OVERVIEW:

 

Lancaster Station will ensure that all investigatory stops, seizures, and searches are conducted in accordance with the rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.  Lancaster Station personnel will ensure that investigatory stops and searches are part of an effective overall crime prevention strategy; do not contribute to counter-productive divisions between LASD and the community; and are adequately documented for tracking and supervision purposes.

 

General patrol procedures are covered under the Department’s Manual of Policy & Procedures, Field Operations Directives, Newsletters, and Unit Orders. To supplement these procedures and achieve the proposed outcomes, Lancaster Station has implemented the requirements below.

 

TRAFFIC STOP PROCEDURES

 

When conducting vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle stops, Lancaster deputies shall: (1) state the reason for an investigatory stop or detention as soon as practical; (2) introduce themselves at the initiation of contact with a civilian when reasonable and practical; (3) ensure that an investigatory stop or detention is no longer than necessary to take appropriate action; and (4) act with professionalism and courtesy throughout the interaction.

 

Per MPP 5-09/520.10, if an individual complains about being detained in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, LASD deputies shall call for a field sergeant to respond to the scene to address the individual’s complaint.  If the individual does not want to wait for the field sergeant to respond to the scene, Lancaster personnel shall additionally provide the individual with the complaint information brochure “Procedures for Public Complaints” and the deputy’s business card, both of which are mandatory for on-duty Lancaster personnel to carry while in the field.

 

MDC PATROL LOG PROCEDURES

 

In addition to procedures covered under the Department’s Constitutional Policing and Stops Policy (5-09/520.00 – 5-09/520.30), Field Operations Directives, Newsletters, and Unit Orders, Lancaster deputies shall document the following additional information about patrol activity in their MDC patrol log narrative:

 

  • A concise narrative articulating specific facts and circumstances for conducting “reasonable suspicion” or “probable cause for investigative” stops and detentions consistent with the radio clearance code (Noting that a radio clearance code, or the code for the resulting citation or other result will not be deemed sufficient articulation of legal support for the stop or search). Example:

                                            

    • A 925 OBS cleared with 841 code: “CONT’D DETAINEE RE: LATE AT NIGHT IN AREA OF RECENT 459’S WEARING DARK CLOTHING, LOOKING INTO VEH’S”

Every “reasonable suspicion” or “probable cause for investigative” stop will articulate the basis for the stop.

 

  • When a consent search of an individual or vehicle is conducted and “Authority to Conduct Search” box is cleared with a “C” (consent), the reason for seeking consent shall be documented in the MDC narrative. Example:

 

    • CONSENT SCH RE:LATE HRS, NERVOUS, HIGH CRIME AREA

Every stop with a “Consent” search will contain the reason for seeking consent verbiage.

 

SEARCHES

 

Lancaster deputies equipped with LASD issued body worn audio or video recorders, who seek consent to search a person, vehicle, or location, shall record all requests for consent to search and the individual’s response.

 

In conducting home searches, personnel will use only the number of deputies reasonably necessary for efficacy and officer safety based on the circumstances of the search.  A supervisor must approve the use of more than two deputies for any consent search of a home. When a supervisor is not available, a supervisor will review the documentation or recording of consent as soon after the search as possible.

 

When conducting home searches and individuals other than the subject of the search are present, the individuals shall not be detained longer than reasonably necessary to conduct the search and secure the area, and the individuals shall not be subject to frisk or search without individualized suspicion or probable cause.

 

REPORT WRITING

 

Lancaster Deputies shall use accurate and specific descriptive language and not rely solely on “boilerplate” or form language in any reports describing factual circumstances of investigatory stops, detentions, and searches.

 

COMPLAINT FORMS

 

Lancaster Deputies shall ensure an adequate supply of the “Procedures for Public Complaints” forms are inside their vehicle and document the check on the “Driver’s Tour of Duty Equipment Record” prior to leaving the station.