The document outlines basic procedures for conducting vehicle searches as a security officer, including safety precautions, documentation to check, indicators of potential contraband, and legal restrictions. Key points are to always maintain visibility and safety, systematically search the entire vehicle, check for indicators, interview drivers politely and respectfully, and avoid unreasonable searches or seizures.

1. Basic Procedures For Security Officers

2. Objective To be familiar with the proper basic procedures to follow in conducting searches and seizures and to specifically outline the legal and ethical restrictions involved.

3. Review basic procedures in conducting vehicle searches and seizures VEHICLE SEARCH 101

4. Always position yourself so that you are highly visible to traffic Always establish eye contact with the driver before approaching the vehicle Always ensure driver turns off engine and sets parking brake prior to inspection Always know where the driver/passengers are Always have driver open doors/compartments SAFETY FIRST

5. A search is simply an examination of a person , place , possession or vehicle . What are we looking for? Fruits of the crime, i.e., the stolen goods, the object the crime was committed with, etc. Contraband. Items that are against the law to possess, i.e., narcotics, counterfeit currency, short barrel shot gun, etc. Prohibited property. Items prohibited by company rules, i.e. alcoholic beverages, cameras, firearms, explosives, etc. Be aware of current conditions (threat, support, response available, weather, etc)

6. Never inspect a vehicle with the motor running Never get into a vulnerable position in relation to the driver and vehicle occupants Never TOUCH any suspicious items Establish a thorough and systematic routine

7. Drivers are interviewed as part of any vehicle search to gather information about any unknown individual that may indicate a potential threat An indicator is an item, occurrence, condition, or situation that suggests the presence of contraband or explosive materials (combinations of indicators should raise suspicion and warrant more detailed search, contact a supervisor or to call local authorities for support) VEHICLE SEARCH 101

8. Critical information is obtained as part of a driver interview by: Observing behavior Observing vehicle appearance Questioning of driver and occupants "where are you going?“. Recognizing stress or deception mechanisms Knowledge of local mannerisms, documents, etc. listening to answers, make sure to make eye contact with the people in the car Always be polite and respectful

9. Background information every entry controller should know: Local or typical traffic regulations and laws Different vehicle type characteristics Information that can be gained from driver interview, driver identification and vehicle documents Existing intelligence information, threat level, and criminal patterns VEHICLE SEARCH 101

10. Typical documentation to check as part of interview: Drivers license / Identification Shipment manifests Bill of lading or shipping papers

11. Driver inappropriately dressed for vehicle type Driver does not know specific destination Driver documentation incomplete or brand new Driver explanation of delivery makes no sense Driver exhibits nervousness or impatience Driver refuses to submit to search team requests or answer questions

12. Anything contained in factory built compartments or firewall spaces New or shiny bolts, screw, or brackets on open road vehicles Bent sheet metal or broken covers Wire or tape unattached to electrical parts New or broken welds on undercarriage No vehicle identification number (VIN) Any area or component cleaner or dirtier than surrounding area

13. Any light not working Heavy doors or compartment covers Foreign items in gas tank tube Freshly painted, new, clean or foreign objects in engine compartment False or modified ceilings, floorboards or walls Items taped or attached to frame

14. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

15. New trunk mat/carpet Heavy trunk lid Raised floors Unusual space between rear seat and trunk Spare tire not flush with floor

16. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

17. Heavy tailgate Unusual welds or seams in bed Unusual space between bed and undercarriage VEHICLE SEARCH 101 SEARCH INDICATORS

18. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

19. Entering and exiting the cab or climbing on the tractor or trailer of a large vehicle seems like a simple job. But, every year a majority of our driver related injuries happen while entering or exiting the cab. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

20. Will help you avoid slip injuries and properly distribute your weight to prevent pulled muscles. Put simply: ‘3-point stance” means that 3 of your 4 limbs are firmly placed on part of the truck at all times - - either 2 hands and 1 foot , or 2 feet and 1 hand. Exit the truck by climbing backward, as down a ladder, maintaining three points of contact at all times .

21. False compartment in fifth wheel area Front grill modified Thick or false fenders Missing connections for brakes and air hookups Can’t see through undercarriage VEHICLE SEARCH 101

22. Plugged air vents Unusually clean cab area Absence of personal items False compartments in sleeper areas Dash panel devices out of place or missing VEHICLE SEARCH 101

24. Discharge valves show signs of lack of usage (rust or corrosion) Inability of driver to identify components Recent sheet metal work on tank Lack of proper HAZMAT signs VEHICLE SEARCH 101

25. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

26. Company insignia not professionally installed Inconsistent wall screw spacing New plywood or material in walls False wall in front cargo area New or modified floor planks False floor or ceiling VEHICLE SEARCH 101

27. Inability to see front of trailer area when light shined below cargo pallets Generic boxes used for cargo Damage to top of cargo boxes Labels not on all boxes VEHICLE SEARCH 101

28. Vehicle markings: All commercial vehicles have US DOT or MC numbers Most have professionally applied company logos Verify vehicle identification numbers HAZMAT placards should match cargo Check state DOT decals for overdue inspections Most drivers carry trailer receipts for non-company trailers; verify receipts against trailer logo

29. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

30. VEHICLE SEARCH 101

32. Seizure places a responsibility on those who take custody of the object to exercise care over the item. This responsibility involves insuring that neither the object nor its evidentiary value is damaged or destroyed. Remember that the object, if not contraband, will be returned to the true owner after the matter is resolved. Care must be exercised in the handling of the item's seized.

33. Actually seize or collect the item. Issue a receipt for the items taken. Initiate the evidence tag and maintain the chain of custody. Mark the item for identification. Secure it (Attempt not to let other people handle it, to include other security officers due to destruction of possible latent fingerprints). keep care and preservation in mind throughout each of these steps.

34. Do not detain Do not search against a person’s will Do not use force in order to conduct the search Security Officer has the rights of citizen's arrest, bearing arms and acting in agency---all rights common to every citizen without a felony conviction.

35. * provides protection against unreasonable searches and seizures by governmental agencies/officials . We do not represent a governmental agency. REMEMBER!! we must anticipate that every action that we take will be closely scrutinized in an adversary system. This will insure that the results of our efforts are usable. We should anticipate that we will be called upon to testify as to what steps we accomplished and what we found .

36. http://www.linkedin.com/in/bendavila Ben Davila Security Specialist/LA Narcotic Task Force Officer

37. http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/SMCT_CTT_Tasks/Skill_Level_1/1913765140-search-a-vehic.shtml http://www.ehow.com/how_7571303_perform-vehicle-security-search.html http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/SMCT_CTT_Tasks/Skill_Level_1/index.shtml