The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Police Department
	General Order 2-4.1	Prisoner Transport and Restraint

1. Prisoner Search
   
   Before being placed into a vehicle for transportation, all prisoners will be thoroughly searched by the custodial officer to detect the presence of weapons or contraband. The only exception to this rule is in an instance in which a delay in transportation would cause a serious risk to the safety of the officer or the prisoner. In that case the prisoner should be searched immediately after the danger has ceased.
   
   Prisoners will be searched each time that an officer accepts custody of a prisoner for the first time or each time when the officer has lost visual contact with the prisoner.
   
   Prisoner searches will normally be in the form of a thorough search of the body, clothing, and accompanying bags or packages. If a body cavity search becomes necessary, only medical personnel shall perform it. Strip searches will be conducted in a private area where visibility is limited and only by officers who are of the same gender as the suspect. 
2. Patrol Vehicle Examination
   
   Upon taking control of a patrol vehicle for the first time, officers will perform a complete search of the vehicle. The vehicle will again be searched before and after the transportation of each prisoner and at the end of the shift.
3. Officer and Prisoner Positioning During Transport
   
   No officer will transport more than two prisoners in a caged patrol vehicle without the presence of an additional officer. No officer will transport more than one prisoner in a non-caged vehicle without the presence of an additional officer. The officer or officers will situate prisoners in the vehicles so that they are under constant observation. Under normal conditions, this will be in the rear compartment of a caged vehicle. When transporting a prisoner in a non-caged vehicle, the prisoner will be seated in the front passenger seat. At no time will a prisoner be placed directly behind the driver of a non caged vehicle. In any case, the prisoner will be handcuffed and secured with the provided passenger safety restraint device.
4. Officer Control and Observation of Prisoners
   
   Officers will maintain control and observation of their prisoners at all times while in custody. The custodial officer has sole responsibility for the safe delivery of a prisoner to the appropriate destination. Officers will leave a prisoner to perform some other law enforcement duty only when there is a clear and grave risk to third parties and the risk to the prisoner is minimal. Officers must keep in mind that the likelihood always exists that some persons may be attempting to free the prisoner through a diversionary tactic. Officers should avoid fraternizing with prisoners at all times. If transportation is for a long distance, care should be taken that stops for meals and fuel are done randomly.
5. Prisoner Communication During Transport
   
   For safety reasons, prisoners will not be allowed to call attorneys or others during transportation. These calls may be made at the appropriate times during an arrest such as during booking or at the jail.
6. Transport Destination Procedures
   
   Upon arrival to the transport destination, the officer will perform the following procedures:
   • Securing all firearms for safekeeping;
   • Based on the prisoner's level of cooperation and the security of the facility, remove restraints as needed;
   • Provide documentation to the receiving agency personnel upon transfer of custody;
   • Advising receiving agency personnel of any potential medical or security risk. This shall be documented in the incident report; and
   • Document confirmation of the transfer of custody.
7. Procedures for an Escape During Transport
   
   In the event that a prisoner escapes during transport, the officer will perform the following procedures: 
   • Attempt to apprehend the prisoner,
   • Immediately notify the dispatcher to broadcast an alert and local DCI message with the description and the direction of travel of the escapee,
   • A supervisor will respond to the area of the escape, and notify the Duty Commander as soon as practical for determination as to the administrative investigation,
   • Prepare an incident report explaining the circumstances of the escape,
   • If an escape occurs outside our jurisdiction or primary patrol area, the transporting officer will notify the local authorities of the escape and request assistance. If the escape occurs within our primary patrol area, GPD should be notified and request assistance.
8. Prisoner Restraints
   
   All prisoners being transported in departmental vehicles will be handcuffed with their hands behind their backs during transport. If possible, the prisoner should be handcuffed with palms facing outward. Double locks should also be used if possible.
   
   Individuals who cannot be handcuffed in that fashion because of a medical or physical condition must be secured in a manner that will prevent escape and will protect the custodial officer. Officers transporting mentally disabled prisoners should take care to restrain the individual in manner that will reduce the likelihood of self-injury.
   
   If a person has been handcuffed and the custody procedures will be completed in a reasonable period of time, the cuffs should remain in place until the person is jailed, released from custody, or no longer poses a threat of violence. Removal of handcuffs to sign documents or to attend to personal needs should be done only when the officer feels that the removal can be done with a reasonable amount of safety. When the use of regular handcuffs is not appropriate, feasible, or sufficient, other restraints such as flexi-cuffs, leg irons, or similar items may be used. Prisoners should never be handcuffed to the inside of a vehicle.
9. Transporting Prisoners of Opposite Gender
   
   When officers are required to transport a prisoner of the opposite gender, the custodial officer will call in the patrol vehicle number that they are driving, the beginning mileage, and ending mileage each time that the prisoner is taken from one location to another. The telecommunicator will log the time and mileage along with the destination.
10. Transporting Sick, Injured, or Disabled Prisoners
    
    When a prisoner is injured during an arrest or becomes sick during transport or booking, the custodial officer will immediately seek medical attention. Medical attention may be obtained by calling an ambulance or by transporting the prisoner to a medical facility. Officers will complete the department's Medical Report Form when a prisoner is transported to a medical facility. A copy of the medical report will be submitted to the department along with the arrest report.
    
    When transporting non-ambulatory or mentally disabled prisoners, officers should attempt to use available departmental vehicles if practical. If necessary, assistance should be requested from the Guilford County Sheriff's Department for transportation. If a prisoner has medication that must be transported to the jail, officers must ensure that the medication is turned over to the jailer at the time of incarceration.
11. Security for Prisoners at Medical Facilities
    
    When officers transport a prisoner to a medical facility, the officers are responsible for monitoring the prisoner at all times. Steps should be taken to reduce opportunities for escape, suicide, and assault on hospital personnel. The prisoner will remain in restraints unless removal is absolutely necessary for treatment and removal will not place the officer or hospital personnel at risk. 
12. Vehicle Safety Barrier
    
    All vehicles used primarily for transporting prisoners must have the driver separated from the prisoner by a safety barrier. The safety barrier should allow for clear communication between the front and rear compartments.
13. Vehicle Modification for Transport
    
    All vehicles that routinely transport prisoners will be modified so that the rear door handles do not operate from the inside and the rear windows cannot be opened from the inside. If a patrol vehicle is not equipped in this manner the transporting officer will ensure that the patrol vehicles window lock feature is activated and that the patrol vehicle doors are locked during transport.
14. Required Detention Center Forms
    
    When suspects are taken to the Guilford County Jail and placed into the facility, the officer will ensure that the following forms and documents are completed and turned over to the jailer.
    • Copy of the Arrest Report
    • Copy of the Conditions of Release (blue sheet)
    • Property Inventory Form
    • Cash Deposit Form
    • Fingerprint Sheet (felonies only)
15. Notification of Security/Safety Hazards
    
    If there is a potential security risk or other risk requirements regarding a detainee, transporting officers should provide information about the risk to the individual, court, or facility assuming custody of the detainee. Special circumstances may include: potential risk of escape, suicidal or violent tendencies, particular personality traits, and/or illness or medical condition(s). Officers shall document such notification in the narrative portion of the incident report.