Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

52050.15 Search of Employees

• As with all persons who come on the grounds or into the institutions and facilities of the Department, all persons employed by the Department are subject to inspection and search of their person, property, and vehicles, to the extent deemed necessary by the official in charge. Consent to search is a condition of employment which may not be withdrawn while in or on the grounds of an institution or facility of the Department.

  • The appropriate supervisor/administrator shall inform each new employee of departmental consent to search policy.

  • An employee may be subjected to a more intensive search than is normally required when the official in charge has reasonable suspicion that the employee is involved in the unauthorized or unlawful possession or movement of anything into or out of an institution or facility of the Department. Such an intensive search may include the employee’s person, vehicle, and any locker, desk, or storage space assigned to or used by the employee.

  • When the intensive search includes the employee’s assigned locker, desk, or storage space provided by the Department, it shall be searched in the employee’s presence, or with his/her consent, or with prior notification that a search will be conducted, or after a valid search warrant has been obtained. Whenever possible the employee shall be present during the search.

  • When an employee is subjected to a more intensive search than is normally required, the employee shall be informed of the reason for the search and of the name of the official ordering the search before the search begins.

  • Any search of an employee’s person which involves the touching of the employee’s clothed body or visual inspection of the employee’s unclothed body shall be conducted in private and out of the sight and hearing of other employees and inmates. Such searches shall only be conducted, observed, and supervised by officials of the same sex as the employee.

  • An intensive search of an employee’s person, property, or vehicle shall be conducted by not less than two officials, at least one of whom shall be of a supervisory rank to assume official responsibility for the search.

  • The intensive search of an employee’s person, property, or vehicle shall be verbally reported to the administrator of the institution or facility or to the duty officer immediately upon completion of the search. This shall be followed with a written report to the administrator and an incident report to the Director if the search discloses or confirms any suspected criminal activity.