Lakewood Police Department Policy and Procedure		Effective Date:03/24/2025
	Policy Number: PP-4801 - Prisoner Processing/Handling

B.         Procedure

1.       Agents shall inspect the prisoner compartments of their vehicles for contraband and weapons prior to and after each use and shall search prisoners prior to placing them into a vehicle for transport.

2.       Prisoners brought to the police department shall be held in a prisoner detention cell in the booking area or under continuous supervision while in temporary detention elsewhere in the police facility.

a.       Prior to being placed in a detention cell, prisoners shall be searched and their personal property removed including keys, belts, drawstrings, shoes and any other items with which the prisoner could injure himself. Lockers are available and shall be utilized for each prisoner’s property.

b.       Agents are strongly encouraged to use the metal detector wand as an additional safety measure in order to detect hidden weapons. It is advisable to use the metal detector wand in the following types of circumstances: The prisoner is a suspect in a crime(s) that involved the use of a weapon; the prisoner is known to carry a weapon and/or the prisoner is of the opposite gender of the agent. The metal detector wand is available in the holding facility. The use of the metal detector does not replace a pat down search in the field or the requirement to remove property from a prisoner's clothing prior to transport. It is a supplemental tool to assist with searches for weapons that are difficult to detect through standard searching.

c.       Prisoners in detention cells shall be restrained by handcuffing one wrist to the bench. The door to the detention cell shall be kept closed and locked.

d.       Any incident which threatens the security of the booking area and detention cells or the safety of any person within the cells or prisoner processing area shall be documented by written report and forwarded through the chain of command.

e.       All doors leading into the booking facility shall remain closed and locked at all times. An exception should be when placing or removing prisoners, and to clean or inspect the area. Each individual cell door should remain closed and locked.

3.       Weapons shall not be taken into the booking cell area, to include firearms, knives, tasers, and batons. Weapons shall be secured in the lockers outside the booking area or secured in the patrol vehicle.

4.       Anyone placing an arrestee in a detention cell shall record certain information on the large acetate board in the booking area. This board shall be for recording an arrestee's name, reason for the detention, the time placed in a cell, the name of the agent who placed the arrestee in the cell, and whether the arrestee is an adult or juvenile. When the arrestee is finally taken from the cell and either released or transported to a detention facility, the information shall be erased. This procedure is intended as an effective and economical way to assist supervisors in monitoring those persons whom we have taken into custody.

5.        Sworn police personnel shall be present at all times when a prisoner is in the booking area or in a cell.

a.       Panic alarms are available in the booking facility for emergencies and indicate that an agent needs help. These alarms shall sound in the sergeant and agent work areas, and hallway. Jeffcom also receives an alarm alert on their panel. In the event of an alarm, any employee shall also immediately notify Jeffcom of the emergency. Jeffcom shall “tone alert” the emergency and direct agents to respond.

b.       Closed circuit cameras shall be positioned to monitor the detainees' activities and provide additional supervision of arrestees inside the cells. The surveillance shall be to reduce security risks, suicidal actions, and unusual or dangerous behavior by detainees.

c.       Monitoring of detainees’ activities shall not alleviate agents of their responsibility for the safety and control of arrestees. These activities shall be digitally recorded on a 24-hour basis. Recorded media will be maintained for one year and then automatically erased.

d.       If a detainee is placed in a cell, a visual check shall be conducted by the arresting or processing agent every 30 minutes.

e.       If it is determined that a detention cell incident requires investigation, the employee’s sergeant shall be notified of the date and approximate time. The requesting agent shall then request the original recorded media depicting the incident as evidence in accordance with the established procedures.

f.        Signs shall be displayed in English and Spanish languages that video and audio surveillance are in progress on the premises.

6.       Department personnel who have not been issued keys to the prisoner booking area shall not enter that area unless they are accompanied by someone who is authorized to do so. Those personnel who have been issued keys shall keep them on their person at all times. For the purposes of this policy and procedure, those personnel who have been issued keys to the prisoner work area shall be authorized to enter that area. The Watch Commanders shall maintain a key to the holding facility in their key box for use in emergency situations.

7.       In the event of escape, the following actions shall be undertaken immediately:

a.       Jeffcom shall be notified, and a suspect description shall be aired. If an escape occurs while in another jurisdiction, that jurisdiction shall be notified immediately.

b.       Other prisoners in the cells, booking area, or transport vehicle shall be secured to prevent additional escapes.

c.       If within Lakewood, additional sworn personnel shall respond to initiate a search. The summoning agent shall coordinate perimeter and search operations until relieved by a sworn supervisor. Search resources in other jurisdictions shall be at the discretion of a supervisor from that jurisdiction.

d.       The Watch Commander shall be notified.

e.       Cessation of search efforts shall be at the direction of a sworn supervisor.

f.        An immediate broadcast or area teletype shall be initiated.

g.       A complete report of the escape shall be completed.

8.       Detainees not placed in detention cells should be secured to fixed handcuff-rings available in the booking area.

9.       Personnel shall not enter detention cells alone with those prisoners deemed to be violent or an escape risk. No more than 6 prisoners shall be detained in a large cell (3 in a small cell) at one time without the approval of a sworn supervisor.

a.       If any unhandcuffed prisoners are placed into or removed from a cell, there shall be an equal or greater number of agents present prior to unlocking the cell door. Example: if 1 unhandcuffed arrestee is to be placed with 2 other unhandcuffed prisoners - - 3 or more agents shall be present before the cell door is opened.

b.       Prisoners inside a cell shall be directed by an agent to stand away from the door before it is unlocked.

10.     Personnel shall search detention cells for contraband and weapons prior to placing prisoners in the cells and after removing prisoners from the cells.

11.     Prisoners shall be afforded the opportunity to make at least 2 local or collect long - distance telephone calls while in custody and are allowed visits by their attorneys as prescribed by law.

12.     Prisoners held in the booking facility work area shall be searched and restrained except while being booked. An agent shall remain present with prisoners in the work area at all times.

13.     Any visitor allowed access to a prisoner shall have his name, association, and reason for visit documented on the custody report. The visitor shall be searched before access to a prisoner is granted.

14.     Juvenile arrestees shall not be placed in a cell with an adult prisoner. Female arrestees shall not be placed in a cell with a male prisoner. Transgender prisoners shall be placed in their own temporary cell.

 15.       Arrestees under the apparent influence of narcotics shall be medically evaluated as soon as possible.

16.     Padded restraining devices are available for use when transporting violent or mentally disturbed prisoners. The devices may be transported to the scene of the arrest if requested. The use of said device shall be documented in the custody report narrative. Violent prisoners shall be segregated from other prisoners.

17.     The processing of any person in the booking area shall be completed expeditiously and without unnecessary delay. No prisoner shall be held for more than six hours. If time limitations are exceeded, this shall be documented in a police report with a reason for the delay. Agents should also document the reason, date and time in and out of the facility.

18.     There shall be sufficient space provided in the booking facility for reasonable and necessary movement. The holding facility shall be used for processing detainees to include photographs, fingerprinting, and the use of the intoxilyzer. Computers are available for on-line booking and other reporting as necessary by the agent.

a.       Detainees shall have access to the toilet, washbasin and drinking water. The agent responsible for the detainee shall ensure that these needs are met as soon as practical upon request. 

19.     A designated cell for female prisoners shall ensure sight and sound separation by gender and be used for the temporary detention of female prisoners. Yelling and screaming should be addressed by the agent supervising the arrestee.

20.     A designated juvenile cell shall be used for juveniles. When juveniles are being processed with adults present, the window blinds shall be closed to ensure sight and sound separation. Yelling and screaming should be addressed by the agent supervising the arrestee.

21.     Sworn personnel shall inquire of all prisoners who are to be placed in a detention cell the following:

a.         Are you sick or injured?

b.         Do you have any medical problems?

c.         Are you taking any medication?

22.     If medical treatment is required, the arrestee shall be transported to a licensed medical facility and treatment shall be documented on the custody report.

23.     No medication shall be administered to an arrestee by Lakewood Police Department personnel. If medication is required by an arrestee, he shall be transported to a licensed medical facility.

24.     Visible injuries to an arrestee shall be documented in the appropriate space on the custody report.

25.     All arrestees shall be instructed to advise any police personnel if they require medical assistance.

26.     Persons who are unconscious, acutely intoxicated, or are behaving in a markedly irrational or bizarre manner shall not be placed in a cell. These persons shall be transported for medical examination.

27.     When an arrestee is transported to a medical facility for treatment, police personnel shall have the arrestee sign the medical treatment information release on the custody report.

28.     Prisoners may be turned over to the custody of other agents or appropriate agencies for transportation, to detention housing facilities, or they may be released on bond, summons, or charges pending.

a.       Positive identification of the prisoner shall be made. Booking numbers assigned to the prisoner shall be verified. Comparison of fingerprints, photographs, or physical characteristics may also aid in prisoner identification.

b.       Escorting agents and detention housing facility personnel shall be alerted to any potential security or medical risks that the prisoner may present while in custody. This shall include information on escape or suicidal tendencies as well as unusual illnesses and shall be documented on the custody report.

c.       Escorting agents shall be given necessary documents. These shall include, as is appropriate, the custody report, medical release, summons, warrant, writ, mittimus or prisoner - release order.

d.       Safety aspects of the transport function require that the prisoner's rights to communicate with attorneys and others shall not normally be exercised during the period that the prisoner is being transported.

e.       When arrestees are received from an outside agency, agents shall verify the identity of the presenting officer.

f.        Subjects held in Lakewood Police Department custody shall be transported, as necessary, for court appearances or shall be turned over to court marshals. Court appearances may occur in instances of immediate pretrial bond releases or contempt of court or restraining order violations.

29.     Non-ambulatory, handicapped prisoners shall be given special care so as not to cause unnecessary pain during their time in custody. Necessary items such as crutches, wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, and medication shall be transported with the prisoners.

Physically handicapped prisoners shall normally be handcuffed unless such action would aggravate their condition or cause injury.

30.     Handcuffing sick or injured prisoners shall be at the discretion of the transporting agent.

31.     Personnel responsible for the supervision of arrestees during their confinement in the holding area shall make reasonable attempts to respect the privacy of arrestees of the opposite sex. This responsibility shall be balanced with the need for the safety of the arrestee and the staff.

a.       Females shall be held in the designated holding area in order to maintain sight and sound separation from male arrestees.

b.       Searches shall be consistent with current department policies.

c.       Only sworn and properly trained personnel shall be left to supervise arrestees held in the holding area.

d.       Arrestees shall be allowed access to private toilet facilities. When this is not possible due to the behavior of the arrestee, a sworn agent of the same sex shall be responsible for supervision.

e.       When arrestees are detained, who are less than fully clothed, proper clothing shall be provided. Supervision of arrestees who are not fully clothed shall be accompanied by same sex staff.

f.        Arrestees shall be informed to call for assistance should they require some, and that they shall be observed at frequent intervals in order to ensure their safety.

32.     A prisoner meal purchased from a local restaurant will consist of a hamburger, fries, and soft drink or milk. The agent picking up the meal can use a credit card from the agent’s assigned Division. The receipt should be left with the Division’s Business Specialist with the date, time, CR number, Prisoner name, Agent’s name and badge number written on the receipt. The agent should document in their police report any meals that were provided during the detention.

33.     The Training Unit shall ensure that new personnel receive initial training on the operations of the department detention areas including the booking area facility, patrol and investigations interview rooms. Retraining shall occur at least once every four years, during in-service training.

34.     Detainees are not allowed to receive mail or packages while in custody. If items are brought to the police department for a detainee, the individual shall be advised that it cannot be received.

35.     Detainees removed from the booking area to other unsecured temporary detention areas for other processing or interview must be under the constant supervision of sworn personnel.