COMPLETE SEARCH OF A PERSON

Once an offender is apprehended and taken to headquarters, the person can either be released, restricted in lieu of arrest, or placed in confinement, depending upon the circumstances. The disposition of the offender is determined by the watch supervisor unless disposition instructions are received from higher authority.

In a complete search, an offender is stripped naked and his or her body and clothing are carefully examined. Remember, female offenders must be searched only by other females of the military service or by civilian law enforcement officers. All persons placed in confinement are given complete searches. Complete searches may be conducted in other cases when circumstances justify them. Security violators who are considered possible saboteurs and suspected narcotics violators are given complete searches. There is always the possibility of well-concealed objects on the body or in the clothing of such persons. A harmless drunk whose condition improves considerably between apprehension and disposition does not require a complete search.

If an offender is confined, the complete search is part of the admission procedure. The prisoner is completely stripped, including watches, rings, and jewelry. The prisoner's body is carefully examined from head to toe. The hair is combed out. All body openings, including mouth, nose, ears, and rectum must be inspected by medical personnel. Every square inch of skin must be examined. Pay particular attention to the areas under the arms, between the toes, and on the soles of the feet. Check bandages and strips of adhesive. If the prisoner is obviously injured, this check can be made by a doctor during the medical examination, which is part of the admission procedures. Most prisoners have no concealed objects on their person, but the few who do justify a complete search. At the completion of the search, all property, including money, is itemized on a property receipt.

VEHICLE SEARCH

A commanding officer may order a search of all vehicles leaving a base, or a search of one specific vehicle. Gate guards, supplemented by additional patrolmen, conduct the search. The object sought may be anything from an escaped prisoner to a piece of electronic equipment. Therefore, the size of the object sought determines the method in which the vehicle is searched.

Simple Search

To search a vehicle for an object such as a stolen toolbox, have the driver open the trunk. Check the trunk, back seat, front seat, under the seats, and any other part of the vehicle that could contain a toolbox. Trucks can be checked by climbing in and looking around. Normally, if an item is so small it could easily be concealed on a person, the vehicle search is not ordered

Complete Search

A situation that requires a complete search is when an offender is suspected of concealing narcotics in a vehicle. Normally, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) will handle such a case because a

complete search, to be effective, may involve disassembling the vehicle down to the last nut and bolt. In such cases, your only concern is to guard the vehicle until a complete search can be made.

PREMISES SEARCH

Premises may be buildings, barracks, offices, or open areas. As in the case of vehicles, the reamer in which a premise is searched depends on the nature and size of the object sought. For example, a stolen television set is far more conspicuous than a stolen diamond ring. Although the techniques for conducting a complete search of a premise may vary, a general inspection of the area or building should always be made first.

General Inspection

The general inspection provides the person or persons conducting the search with better, easier, and more reliable methods for conducting the search. The inspection may include such techniques as checking the physical structure of a building for location, size, number of doors, windows, and fire escapes. This information helps determine the number of persons required for making the complete search. If the search is made to apprehend an offender, the surrounding area

is surveyed for parking lots, streets, or roadways, which could provide avenues of escape.

Complete Search

A complete search may include the searching of buildings, rooms, or areas. Since circumstances vary and objects differ in size, the general rule is to thoroughly examine a particular area to find a particular object. The entire area, whether in the open or in a room, is searched in a clockwise pattern covering the entire area in ever-tightening circles, and is then crosssearched. If sufficient patrol personnel are employed, a sectional search may be made. Normally, this is done by assigning persons to search sections comprising a large area.

SUMMARY

In this chapter, we looked at various patrol activities, patrol organization, methods of patrol, and community/human relations. The importance of accurate communications was discussed followed by the procedures for both unknown and high risk traffic stops. Next, we examined the techniques of apprehension and restraint. Finally, we covered the procedures and techniques for the various types of searches.