Unsafe Search

[Deland Jessop]

While working with a young partner, you end up arresting a suspect for drug possession. After the arrest, your partner searches the suspect and places him in the back of the police car while you are busy speaking to a witness. After driving to the station, you are escorting the prisoner out of the back of the police car, when you see a knife tucked into the back of his pants. You seize the knife from the suspect, and show your partner. Your partner is embarrassed and says he should do a better job searching next time. He asks you to not mention this to anyone and to make a note that the knife was seized before the suspect was placed in the police car. How would you handle this?

[Lynch]

Slap another charge on.

[hurley7]

I would be cautious of a partner that wants you to put your career at risk by lying about his mistake. Unfortunately things do get missed from time to time when searching, he should man up to his mistake and learn from it. I wouldn't go out of my way to tell any one about it but I certainly wouldn't lie about it either.

[lavics79]

Slap another charge on.

Exactly.

Bring it up to your partner and see how/why he's missed it. Going forward, he'll be more aware.

[Froz]

Given this scenario, it should not be taken lightly but rather with all seriousness. Protocols in place should be followed. What if during an escort back to the station it bacame a life threatening situation for either officer or any other officer back at the station due to carelessness of a failed search.

[Lynch]

Follow procedure.

[Froz]

In this job, you can what if till you're blue in the face. This job is dangerous everyone knows that signing up, and with the way things are with the charter and case law, we cant always be certain of everything. WHat if you're talking to a guy on the side of the street, and someone comes up behind you while you let your guard down for a second. What if you're at a call, dealing with the loser and the complainant turns on you.

The bottom line, the knife was found.

Understood, but that is one less what if to worry about that was in the officers control while doing the search. Yes, the knife was found after the fact but at whose cost? In this scenario nothing happened, so great. I would certainly deal with the what if's one call at a time. In answering the how would you handle this question, please see my previous response. How would you handle this situation Lynch? In your response you mention you would slap another charge but to whom? To the suspect or your partner! If the suspect is to be charged with posession of a weapon; how would you handle the failed search by your partner?

[Lynch]

..........

[Froz]

Its similar to saying how would you handle a specific call, you can't answer until you are there. There are factors that need to be considered. Is this an experienced officer, did the officer get complacent, is this the first time this has happened to this officer, etc.

And why would I charge my partner with anything?

I'm Just gathering an accurate and detailed report based on the facts provided and when you mentioned to slap another charge on it was unclear as to whom and for what the charge would be for. In fact there was no mention of the first charge so that will throw off a report. Anyway, let's leave this as it is and we'll hear from others.

[Lynch]

..........

[Elaine]

I would approach the concern with the partner in the hope that they would learn to show more caution and thoroughness in the future. As to lying about how the knife was found, not a chance! It is not worth the fallout. If questions arise after the fact, answer them truthfully, but I would not go out of my way to tell others about it.

[smilton]

Couple issues:
1) Your partner was sloppy / reckless in a way that endangered your lives. Yes, nothing happened, but the situation is serious.
2) Your partner is asking you to lie and document a lie. This will come up in court, and eventually sworn testimony.
3) It says your partner is young.

Document how it happened, or don't even document how the knife was found. Just state a knife was found on the suspect in the report. End of story, unless if asked, at which point tell the truth and let your partner know you will tell the truth.
I'm assuming this is a rookie here, and I'd have to talk to him and if I'm not happy with his attitude / response, get a more senior officer, or even notify a sergeant. I'd do my best not to rat out his actions and conduct, but we really can't have dangerously sloppy officers who are willing to tell lies. If he is willing to make up a lie about this, what other situations would he do so in?