NARCOTICS BUREAU
DETECTIVE DIVISION
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Bureau Order Number: 2-12
Subject: VEHICLE TRACKER DEPLOYMENT
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Effective Date: |
07/01/2008 |
Last Date Revised: |
10/15/2019 |
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Last Date Reviewed: |
04/01/2021 |
Next Review Date: |
04/01/2022 |
This order establishes policy and procedure for the use and control of vehicle tracker technology. Additionally, this policy provides a guide for contract negotiations and equipment loss.
Currently, Narcotics Bureau maintains vehicle tracker equipment for use by Bureau personnel, and also maintains annual service contracts.
C. Scope of Policy
This policy is designed to guide investigators in obtaining approval from supervisors for the use of electronic monitoring equipment (i.e. vehicle trackers) which includes the usage and loss procedures.
D. Accountability
Each bureau sergeant and Zone Lieutenant is responsible for ensuring that all policies and procedures related to the use of Narcotics Bureau vehicle trackers are followed.
E. Training
This Bureau Commander will ensure that all bureau personnel are trained and familiar with this policy. Pursuant to the case law stated below, a search warrant is required to install a GPS tracker on a vehicle. See below court ruling:
United States v. Jones
(2012) __ U.S. __ [2012 WL 17117]
The Court held in a somewhat complicated decision (U.S. v. Jones) that the installation of such a device on a car while it is in public constitutes a search under the 4th Amendment. It follows, said that Court, that because a GPS device reveals the vehicle’s whereabouts, the officers had, in fact, “searched” Jones’ vehicle when they installed it. Said the Court, “The Government physically occupied private property for the purpose of obtaining information. We have no doubt that such a physical intrusion would have been considered a ‘search’ within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment when it was adopted.”
F. Conclusion
It is the intent of this policy to protect the integrity of bureau personnel and major narcotics investigations, wherein electronic monitoring is deployed.
II. POLICY
This policy pertains to quick mount vehicle trackers maintained by Narcotics Bureau. For the purpose of this bureau order, a quick mount tracker is any tracker which is not hard wired on a vehicle. Narcotic Bureau trackers will be maintained by the training unit. A record of serial numbers and unassigned trackers will be recorded and maintained by the training unit. The tracker log will record the team/crew who is using the tracker, along with the date of check out and return.
- Tracking units will be maintained and issued by the Training Unit. Trackers may also be checked out by Majors Crews and Task Force Sergeants and stored in a County vehicle prior to deployment. Upon deployment of a tracker device, an Investigative File (441) number should be drawn for the respective Narcotic’s investigation and entered on the Training Unit’s log.
- For tracking units checked out by Majors Crews and Task Force Sergeants, a
separate vehicle tracker log shall be maintained by the respective Crew Sergeant.
- All information regarding the narcotic investigation should be entered on the Tracker Log (Attachment A). Information should include the serial number of the tracker being used, the Investigation File (441) number, name of the investigation officer (I/O) or investigator checking out the tracker, date, anticipated date of return, crew name, and the person notified and entered inquiry into the Los Angeles Community Law Enforcement and Recovery (LACLEAR) at 1 (800) LACLEAR or 1 (800) 522-5327.
- If a tracker is lost, a memo explaining the loss should accompany the submitted 411 report to the Training Sergeant. It should note where the vehicle tracker was last seen (e.g. “Placed on the passenger side rear, under the gas filler neck of a 2009 Lexus IS 250, CA License #115COLI”).
- Due to the high probability of losing these tracker type devices, which are adhered to a vehicle by a strong magnet, this item shall not be documented as a normal “Lost Property” item incident, no (SH-R-49). Stated more clearly, personnel will not be held responsible for the loss of these investigative tools.
The Crew Sergeant will be responsible for notifying the LACLEAR and ensuring that the missing tracker is entered into LACLEAR as “Lost Property” of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Bureau.
The service provider shall be contacted to arrange a replacement or discontinue service for the lost tracker. The training unit shall be notified of any such arrangements.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
LOY L. MCBRIDE, CAPTAIN
NARCOTICS BUREAU