Plain Clothes DM

Question 1

What is the key requirement for plainclothes officers during enforcement activities?

Answer 1

• Wear badge on outermost garment in a visible location
• Identify themselves during enforcement or at search/arrest scenes
• Do NOT cover the badge
• Purpose: Maintain accountability to the community

Question 2

What is the recommended approach for non-uniformed officers during car stops?

Answer 2

• Use uniformed officers for backup whenever possible
• Prevents unnecessary escalation
• Reduces challenges to officer’s identity
• Helps maintain undercover status by minimizing exposure

Question 3

When can non-uniformed officers respond to in-progress crimes?

Answer 3

THREE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS:
1. Life-threatening emergency (no available uniformed officers)
2. Assistance specifically requested
3. Response is necessary for:
- Assigned role
- Department’s best interests
- Public’s best interests

Question 4

What are the key steps for non-uniformed officers responding to an in-progress emergency?

Answer 4

COMMUNICATION STEPS:
- Notify Communications of response and arrival
- Describe clothing and identification method
- Ensure visible identification (e.g., yellow raid jacket, visible badge)

IF UNIFORMED OFFICERS PRESENT:
- Advise ranking officer of presence
- Act as backup
- Stay on perimeter
- No independent action without approval
- EXCEPTION: Protecting life from imminent threat

Question 5

What is the department’s approach to narcotics law enforcement?

Answer 5

COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH:
- Enforce ALL local, state, and federal narcotics statutes
- Target possession, use, and trafficking
- Dual strategy:
1. Aggressive law enforcement
2. Public education
- Goal: Prevent and deter substance-related offenses

Question 6

When should plainclothes officers wear their badge?

Answer 6

-During enforcement activity

-At search/arrest scenes

-On outermost garment

-In a visible location

-Badge cannot be covered

Question 7

What is the primary safety recommendation for non-uniformed officers during car stops?

Answer 7

-Use uniformed officers for backup

-Minimize chances of identity
challenge

-Preserve undercover status

-Reduce frequency of undercover officer reassignment

Question 8

When can non-uniformed officers respond to in-progress crimes?

Answer 8

-Life-threatening emergencies with no uniformed officers available

-When specifically requested

-When their assignment requires response

-When response is in department/public’s best interest

Question 9

What steps must non-uniformed officers take when responding to an in-progress emergency?

Answer 9

a. Advise communications of their response and arrival at the scene

b. Briefly describe their clothing and the method of identification they are using

c. Ensure that their identification is clearly visible such as raid jacket, badge being worn or being worn in a clearly visible manner.

d. Advise the ranking uniformed officer at the scene of their presence and availability as a resource

Question 10

What is the department’s approach to narcotics law enforcement?

Answer 10

-Enforce local, state, and federal narcotics statutes

-Prevent and deter substance use/possession/trafficking

-Combine aggressive enforcement with public education

-Focus on city-wide substance control