AI-012 Search

Question 1

Rv. Golden

Importantance

Answer 1

The Supreme Court of Canada noted that strip searches are inherently humiliating and degrading for detainees regardless of the manner in which they are carried out. For this reason, they cannot be carried out simply as a matter of routine. In addition to reasonable grounds justifying the strip search, the strip search itself must be conducted in a reasonable manner.

Question 2

Strip Search of transgender person

Answer 2

Officers are not permitted to opt out of a strip search as it creates a chain of discrimination

Question 3

Split search

Answer 3

A transgender person may request a split search. The top half is female and female officers search that, then males search the bottom half which is male. it will require 4 officers total to complete a split search.

Question 4

Strip search

Answer 4

Absent exigent circumstances, the person should NOT be completely naked or undressed during a strip search.

When conducting a strip search the accused shall be asked to remove their clothing themselves, one piece at a time, unless safety requirements or destruction of evidence issues dictate otherwise. The police o cers conducting the search shall inspect the clothing after it has been removed. Once the clothing and accused person have been searched, the clothing shall be returned to the accused and the accused be allowed to dress unless the items are required as evidence or are being seized.

Question 5

Prisoner’s Bra, underwire bra or string bikini top

Answer 5

(a) it is readily apparent that the bra’s under wiring is exposed or easily removable from its casing, and that are there reasonable grounds that the person may use the under wire to harm themselves or others;
(b) the Officer-in-Charge has reasonable grounds to believe that the accused may use the wiring to inflict self-harm or harm to others; or
(c) the prisoner is known or suspected of being suicidal or violent.

Question 6

Items for seizure from body cavity searches

Answer 6

Where any porition of an item identified for seizure appears to be secreted in the rectum or vagina of the accused, the officer shall give the accused the opportunity to remove the item or shall seek the assistance of a trained medical professional to ensure the item can be removed safely. Members shall refer to section G of this procedure addressing body cavity searches.

Question 7

What goes into your notes for strip search

Answer 7

1. Grounds for the strip search
2. authorizing supervisor’s name
3. reason a less intrusive search was not sufficient
4. officers conducting the search
5. if the person removed their clothing themselves
6. that the person was not completely naked, except in exigent circumstances
7. the time the strip search was commenced and completed and the cause of delays if any.
8. that the search was conducted in a room designated for strip searches
9. details/results of the search in the arrest report and their memo books

A Strip Search (SS) text page shall be used by a searching officer to record details about the strip search.

Question 8

Emergency situation for strip search without sgt approval.

Answer 8

The OIC will note

1. the grounds for the search
2. the name and rank of the police officers present during the search
3. the reason that no other alternative was possible or practical
4. the reason supervisory personnel were not notified
5. the supervisory personnel who were advised at the first opportunity
6. results of the search