13-12 - New MDC Codes for Logging Field Activity-Deputy Reference Sheet-MDC Codes for Logging Field Activity
NEW MDC CODES FOR LOGGING FIELD ACTIVITY
As a public law enforcement agency, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is obligated to create comprehensive records of its internal processes and the activities of its field personnel. Since 2000, the Department has collected traffic stop data through the MDT, MDC, and CAD systems. The Department is required to maintain records of all public contacts, including who was contacted and the disposition of those contacts. Our Department’s systems are constantly being evaluated for improvements and enhancements.
Due to a recent analysis of the Department’s traffic stop data collection capabilities, six additional codes have been added to the MDC/CAD systems for use by deputy personnel. The additional codes will better document bicycle stops, search reasons, back seat detentions, and probable cause to stop/detain.
These system enhancements will assist the Department in tracking its continued commitment to Constitutional Policing.
Clearance/Stat Code:
842 – Bicycle Stop
The new 842 code shall be used similar to the 840 and 841 vehicle and pedestrian stop codes. When stat code 842 is used, the applicable contact fields MUST then be completed, similar to 840 and 841 codes.
This additional stat code will be used to distinguish between the different types of patrol traffic stops (vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle) and will assist in the analysis of data.
Authority to Conduct Search (Vehicle and Person fields):
R= Condition of Parole/Probation
The new “R” code shall be used when the primary justification to search a person or vehicle is due to their conditions of parole or probation.
W= Weapons Pat Down (Reasonable Suspicion Detainee is Armed)
The new “W” code shall be used when the detainee is reasonably believed to be armed. The “P” for Pat Down has been eliminated and will no longer be accepted in the MDC for this category.
Contact Type:
B= Back Seat Detention: Vehicle, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Stops
C= Back Seat Detention: Call For Service
The new back seat detention (BSD) codes shall be used as the primary code in the Contact Type field to document all BSD. The justification for the BSD “seizure” shall be articulated in the narrative portion of the deputy’s log, keeping in mind any 4th Amendment [1] and/or Terry v. Ohio [2] issues.
Personnel can refer to Newsletter #14-19: “Seated and Backseat Investigative Detentions” for additional information on BSD.
The “B” code shall be used when the BSD is due to a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle stop.
The “C” code shall be used when the BSD is due to a call for service.
PC Stop – Reason for Contact:
S= Call for Service
X= Want/Warrant on License Plate
R= Reasonable Suspicion
The new “PC Stop – Reason for Contact code “S” shall be used when the justification for the stop/contact is due to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist being identified in a call for service.
The new “PC Stop – Reason for Contact code “X” shall be used when the justification for the stop/contact is due to a want or warrant return (via MDC) on a vehicle’s license plate.
The “PC Stop – Reason for Contact code “R” (previously entitled “Reasonable Cause”) has been changed to “Reasonable Suspicion” [3] to better conform to Terry v. Ohio [2] case law. The “Reasonable Suspicion” justification for the stop shall be noted in the narrative portion of the deputy’s log.
All new codes will be added to the Department’s Stat Code Book.
REFERENCE:
[1]Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution - The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
[2]Terry v. Ohio - The Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures is not violated when a police officer stops a suspect on the street and frisks him or her without probable cause to arrest, if the police officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime and has a reasonable belief that the person "may be armed and presently dangerous." "…whenever a police officer accosts an individual and restrains his freedom to walk away, he has 'seized' that person."
[3]Reasonable Suspicion - The Fourth Amendment permits law enforcement officers to briefly detain individuals for investigative purposes if the officers possess reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot. Reasonable suspicion requires an officer to be able to articulate more than an unparticularized suspicion or 'hunch' of criminal activity to detain the individual. The detention must be based on specific and articulable facts, taken together with rational inferences from those facts. Reasonable suspicion does not provide grounds for arrest; however, an arrest can be made if facts discovered during the detention provide probable cause that the suspect has committed a crime.