The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Police Department
	General Order 2-6.4	Vehicle Checkpoints

The purpose of this section is to establish policies for the lawful implementation of stops of vehicles at fixed checkpoints. The UNCG Police Department will conduct stops of vehicles at fixed checkpoints only for the following purposes:

1. Compliance Checkpoints – The purpose of a Compliance Checkpoint is to determine compliance with the provisions of G.S. §§20 (the motor vehicle laws). This includes, for example, checkpoints the purpose of which is to insure compliance with the motor vehicle laws governing licensure, registration, insurance and impaired driving.
2. Information-Seeking Checkpoints – The purpose of an Information-Seeking Checkpoint is to seek the public's aid in solving a known crime which has already occurred.
1. Justification for Checkpoints
   
   Officers who are approved or participating in checkpoints will be prepared to demonstrate that the primary purpose of the checkpoint falls into one of the two listed categories. The United States Supreme Court has held that the use of checkpoints primarily for general crime control purposes such as to detect evidence of ordinary criminal wrongdoing without individualized suspicion violates the 4th Amendment (See Indianapolis v. Edmund, 531 U.S. 32 (2000)). Accordingly, conducting checkpoints for purposes other than those authorized in this Section is prohibited.
2. Authorization
   
   All checkpoints will be approved by a command staff member of the rank of captain or above except in emergency situations. A Checkpoint Operation Plan and Authorization form must be completed and signed before the checkpoint commences, except in emergency situations.
   
   Participation by UNCG officers at a checkpoint outside the UNCG Police Department jurisdiction must be approved by a command staff member of the rank of captain or above and a current Mutual Aid Agreement with the requesting agency must be in place. The Mutual Aid Agreement will be pursuant to the provisions of G.S. §160A-288.
3. Location
   
   The placement of Compliance Checkpoints shall be random or statistically indicated. The placement and time of Information-Seeking Checkpoints shall correspond to the investigative need. The site for every checkpoint shall be selected with due regard for the safety of motorists and the officers conducting the checking station.
4. Notification to the Public
   
   The public shall be advised that an authorized checkpoint is being conducted by having, at a minimum, one marked law enforcement vehicle with its blue lights activated at all times during the operation of the checkpoint.
5. Pattern for Stopping Vehicles
   
   The pattern for stopping vehicles shall be designated in advance, neutral, and communicated to all participating officers. The designation of this pattern will include contingency provisions for altering the pattern if unreasonable traffic delays or other hazards occur. It is advisable that the pattern for stopping vehicles consist of stopping every vehicle and that the contingency pattern in the event of unreasonable traffic delays or other factors creating a hazard consist of permitting all vehicles to pass through the checkpoint until the delay or hazard is abated. Regardless of their precise mechanism, the primary and contingency patterns must insure that no individual officer is given discretion as to which vehicle is stopped.
6. Pattern for Requesting Information
   
   The pattern for requesting documentation will be designated in advance, neutral, and communicated to all participating officers. The designation of this pattern will include contingency provisions for altering the pattern if unreasonable traffic delays or other hazards occur. Regardless of their precise mechanism, the patterns must insure that no individual officer is given discretion as to what documentation a given driver is required to produce; i.e. driver's license, registration or insurance information.
7. Supervision
   
   Each checkpoint will be supervised by personnel at the rank of lieutenant or above unless authorized otherwise. The on-site supervisor will direct any changes between the primary and contingency patterns for stopping vehicles and/or requesting documentation.
8. Reasonable Suspicion
   
   During the course of a stop at a checkpoint, if an officer determines that there is reasonable suspicion to believe that a driver or other occupant has violated a provision of G.S. §§20 or other provision of law, the officer may detain that driver or occupant for a reasonable period of time in order to investigate further. The driver of any vehicle may be requested to submit to an alcohol screening test under G.S. §20-16.3 if during the stop the officer determines that the driver had previously consumed or has an open container of alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. The officer so requesting shall consider the results of any alcohol screening test or the driver's refusal in determining if there is reasonable suspicion to investigate further.