FROM THE B.S.I.S. POWER TO ARREST OFFICIAL MANUAL

 This is a sample of what you will learn in the course.  Oberve this is a sample only, not the course itself.  You have to register inside for the course, which provides multi-media (videos, reading material, audio reading, interactive testing).

You should avoid searching a suspect. Laws protect the rights of suspects who are being searched. This section explains what you should and should not do.

You are not allowed to search someone in order to find evidence for making an arrest.

When you see someone steal something you have been hired to protect, you may first arrest the person by telling him he’s under arrest for theft. Then you may physically detain him for the police to search him. You should not give the suspect an opportunity to dispose of any items taken.

If the suspect tells you he’s going to shoot you, and you have every reason to believe he has a weapon, then you have the right to search him. If you have reasonable cause to believe you are in physical danger by detaining the suspect, you may search him for weapons only.

REMEMBER

You may search for only one thing - WEAPONS.

METHOD OF “FRISK” SEARCHING FOR WEAPONS

A frisk is nothing more than a quick check to see if a suspect has a concealed weapon.  This should occur after the suspect is arrested. To frisk a suspect, follow these steps:

A. Stand behind the suspect

B. Run your hands over the outside of the clothing

C. Pat those areas where a weapon might be concealed

D. Remove anything that feels like a weapon

CAUTION

Do not remove any article that does not feel like a weapon.

Always use direction when touching a suspect of the opposite sex. Whenever possible have a member (security guard) of the same sex conduct the frisk, and always try to have witnesses to the frisk. STAY ALERT! Don’t relax after a frisk or take your eyes off the suspect after you have competed the frisk. He may still have a weapon you did not find!

Some of the places where a suspect might conceal a weapon are shown in the illustration on the next page. The frisk should be done quickly, and if possible, with another guard standing by. Practice the frisk on a partner by having him conceal a small object. During a frisk, you may also discover illegal items called contraband. The most common type of contraband is narcotics. If you discover contraband while you are frisking for concealed weapons, leave it alone and tell the police when they arrive.