HomeMy WebLinkAbout72A- Booking Procedures - 2019
Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 17
Lexington Police
Department
Subject:
Booking Procedures
Policy Number:
72A Accreditation Standards:
Reference: 1.2.5(b)(c); 1.2.8; 70.1.6; 72.1.3; 72.4.1; 72.4.5;
72.5.1; 72.5.2; 72.5.5; 72.5.6; 72.6.1; 72.6.3; 72.7.1; 82.3.6 Effective Date:
3/11/13
New
Revised
Revision
Dates:
1/24/19
By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police
The Municipal Police Institute, Inc. (MPI) is a private, nonprofit charitable affiliate of
the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. MPI provides training and model
policies and procedures for police agencies. This policy is an edited version of MPI
Policy 3.03 “Detainee Processing."
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES
This policy addresses processing of detainees from their arrival at the police station to
transfer or release. The actual detainment is addressed in the Department policy 72B-
Detainment of Prisoners.
During this stage the detainee is searched, advised of rights, photographed, may be
fingerprinted, and the custody is documented. In addition, the presence or lack of
injuries is documented, true identity may be validated, and the appropriateness and
timing of their release is determined. For those charged with a crime, a Master Name
entry is created for each arrest.
Processing of detainees is a critical step in the custody process. It is during this stage
that officers processing the detainee must take steps to ensure that the rights of the
detainee are advised and honored. An omission of this responsibility may result in
damage to the ability to prosecute the case, complaints against employees, or civil
liability against employees, supervisors and the municipality.
It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department to protect the constitutional rights of
detainees while protecting the safety of Department employees and detainees.
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PROCEDURES
A. Definitions
1. Arrestee: A person who is seized or held under the authority of law or detained
in legal custody.
2. Detainee: A person held in custody or confinement (includes non-arrest
situations including individuals held in protective custody).
3. Body Cavity Search: A search involving an internal physical examination of
body cavities including the anal and genital areas.
4. Search: After the arrestee claims to have removed all personal effects from
his/her person, [s]he will be subject to a pat frisk search of his/her person by
an officer of the same sex. Any personal effects brought into the booking area
will be examined only to the extent necessary to check the person’s identity,
ensure his/her physical safety, ensure the removal of items dangerous to cell
administration, and to protect the Department from charges of theft. Inventory
of items will be taken and documented on the appropriate form(s). Any further
search of the detainee’s property other than for the purposes of identification
may be conducted only upon obtaining either the arrestee's consent, preferably
in writing or recorded, by search warrant, or as authorized by law.
5. Strip Search: An inspection of a naked individual, or the movement or removal
of clothing to expose for inspection the buttocks, pubic area, or female breast
area, without any scrutiny of the body cavities.
6. Visual Body Cavity Search: A visual inspection of the anal and genital areas.
.
B. Arrival at Police Station
1. Notifications
a. When officers transporting a detainee arrive at the police station, the
transporting officers shall:
i. Determine if entry to the cell block should be side door near the
radio tower or via the garage if circumstance warrants (preferred
method is side door).
ii. If using garage, request that the garage door be opened (via radio).
iii. Notify the dispatcher, using the police radio, of their arrival and the
odometer reading of their vehicle (if transporting subject of the
opposite sex).
iv. Advise receiving personnel of any potential medical or security
risks. [70.1.6(d)]
b. Once inside, the garage door should be closed.
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c. Officers should be aware of possible items that could be used as weapons
and take precautions to limit risk. Two officers should be involved in this
transfer to the cell block.
2. Police Firearms [72.4.1] [72.5.6]
a. The officers shall remove and secure their firearms before removing a
detainee from handcuffs and prior to being secured to the booking desk
bar. [70.1.6(a)]
b. All persons, including but not limited to: assisting officers, booking officers,
detectives, and supervisors shall secure their firearms and other
equipment such as utility knives that are visible, prior to entering the
Booking Area. A gun safe in the Commanding Officer’s room or outside
the locker room should be used for staff entering the Booking Area so that
it is not necessary to travel through the secured area with weapons.
c. No firearms are allowed in the Booking Area or holding facility during the
processing of detainees. Only in exigent circumstances (i.e.: officer
needing assistance, medical situation) where timely response is critical
should officers enter the Booking and Cell Block Areas without first
removing and locking their firearms. As soon as possible thereafter,
firearms should be secured or armed officers should leave the booking /
cell area. Officers making cell checks do not need to remove firearms if
detainees are locked in a cell.
3. Storing other items while dealing with detainees: Officers should be aware of
other items that should be stored during arrival at the booking area or
processing of subjects:
a. Cruiser keys: storing these with the firearm will help to insure that officers
are re-equipped properly when responding to subsequent calls for service,
especially if they need to leave quickly.
b. Utility tools: Such as knives and OC spray should be treated the same as
the firearm and kept out of sight and safe.
c. Portable radios should be kept with officers during booking.
4. Doors: All doors to the Booking Area will be secured during the entire booking
process.
5. Booking Room Access: Only authorized personnel are allowed in the booking
area during processing. The Commanding Officer will be responsible for
monitoring who is in the Booking Area.
6. Violent or Uncontrollable Detainees
a. Detainees who are violent, intoxicated, or uncontrollable may be placed
directly into a holding cell until such time as they are calm enough to
process.
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b. Officers shall not remove restraints if the behavior of the detainee poses a
significant risk of injury to officers or the detainee.
c. If the subject is placed into a cell because it is deemed that they cannot be
processed upon arrival, and the subject does not calm down enough to
process, the Commanding Officer may consider having a booking sheet
completed without the detainee at the Booking Desk. Factors to consider
include, but are not limited to:
i. Information already known about the detainee or in a previous
Master Name entry and the ability to update their entry.
ii. The need for fingerprints, photos, or a breath test from the subject.
Note: prints and photos can be delayed up to the moment of
release.
C. M.G.L. Chapter 276 § 33, Examination by Officer in Charge: Upon the arrival of a
person in custody, the Commanding Officer shall:i
1. Examine the detainee for injuries and note any medical complaints.
2. If any injuries do exist, inquire as to whether these injuries were sustained
during or prior to the arrest.
3. Instruct the Booking Officer to make a notation of the injuries on the Booking
Sheet. Photos may be helpful in the documentation of such injuries.
4. Report to the Chief of Police, in writing, any cuts, bruises or injuries found that
were sustained after the subject was placed in custody.
5. If a detainee complains of any medical problems, the Commanding Officer
should follow the Department’s procedure on detaining prisoners; see
Department policy 72B – Detainment of Prisoners including Bail
Procedures.
D. Booking
1. At least two officers will conduct detainee booking.
2. The audio video system should be turned on as soon as possible after the
detainee enters the Booking Area. The Booking Officer is responsible for
recording the booking and, when needed, burning a copy of the booking to a
CD to accompany the booking material.
3. Detainee Search for Weapons
a. Prior to the removal of handcuffs, a full and thorough search shall be
conducted of the detainee’s person for weapons.
b. An officer of the same sex as the detainee shall conduct the search
whenever possible. If necessary, a trained Department employee or an
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officer from another police agency of the same sex as the detainee may
conduct the search.
c. If no officer or trained employee of the same sex is available, an officer of
the opposite sex may conduct a search for weapons.
i. Depending upon the circumstances, a search may be able to be
conducted without actually touching the detainee.
a) It may be possible at times to see the outline of a weapon
through clothing.
b) Pockets may be turned inside out.
c) The waistband may be exposed and rolled outward to
expose the body side.
d) A hand-held metal scanner may detect the presence of
metal items (if available).
d. At no time will the safety of employees, other detainees, or the detainee
be placed in jeopardy by a detainee suspected of concealing a weapon.
i. The detainee may continue to be restrained until an officer of the
detainee’s same sex can be located to conduct a search.
ii. If necessary, a search for weapons or dangerous contraband will be
done and the search should be witnessed by another employee on
the booking camera, whenever possible. The Commanding Officer
will thoroughly document the search as to how, by whom, and when
the search was executed.
4. Handcuffs [70.1.6(b)] [72.5.6]
a. The transportation handcuffs shall remain on detainees until the booking
officer instructs that they be removed.
b. Detainees shall generally be handcuffed to the cuffing bar, which is
specifically designated for that purpose. Handcuffs may be removed:
i. For the purpose of conducting a booking inventory;
ii. For the purpose of fingerprinting;
iii. In order to take the breath test; or
iv. At the discretion of the Commanding Officer or Booking Officer.
c. In making the decision to remove handcuffs from a detainee, the Booking
Officer should consider the conduct of the arrestee, the offense for which
the arrest has been made, the recommendations of the arresting and/or
transporting officers, and any history of interaction with law enforcement
(specifically regarding attempted escape or violence if known).
d. Officers should be aware of restrictions and exceptions in the laws
regarding the handcuffing of status offenders.
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5. Booking Inventory
a. An inventory of the detainee’s property shall be conducted. [72.5.1(a)]
i. When the handcuffs are removed, the detainee shall be directed to
remove all articles or items of personal property that [s]he is carrying
on his/her person. This will include:
a) All items in all pockets;
b) Items secreted on the detainee’s person;
c) Belts; and
d) Jewelry / piercings note: In the event a piece of jewelry or
a piercing cannot be removed without damaging it, or easily
because of location, the item may remain with the detainee.
e) Money should be counted out loud on the video recording
and other potentially valuable items should be identified
verbally on the audio tape recording as well.
ii. If the detainee is expected to be placed in a holding cell or taken
directly to court after booking, the following items shall also be
removed and placed with the detainee’s property:
a) Shoe laces;
b) Draw strings;
c) Glasses; and
d) Other similar items.
Note: If drawstrings or laces are needed during transport to
hold pants up or provide more secure footing, these can be
kept with the subject who will then be closely monitored.
iii. After the arrestee claims to have removed all personal effects from
his/her person, [s]he will be subject to a full search of his/her person
by an officer of the same sex. If such an officer is not available:
a) A trained Department employee or an officer from another
police agency, of the same sex as the detainee, may
conduct the inventory search, if necessary.
b) If no officer or trained employee of the same sex is
available, as a last resort an inventory search may be
conducted by having the person:
i) Turn pockets inside out, if possible.
ii) Lift the shirt off of the waistband and roll the waistband.
iii) Expose the interior of cuffs.
iv. The following items should be searched as part of the inventory:
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a) All outer clothing worn by the arrestee;
b) Wallets;
c) Purses; and
d) Packs, bags, or other containers brought in as personal
property.
v. Any container or article found on the detainee’s person or carried
by the detainee shall be opened and its contents inventoried.
vi. Papers, documents or other writings found on the detainee’s person
may be examined only to the extent necessary to check the
person’s identity, ensure his/her physical safety, ensure the removal
of items dangerous to cell, items of value and protect the
Department from charges of theft. Any search of a detainee’s
papers or other possessions for investigative purposes may be
conducted only upon obtaining either the arrestee's consent,
preferably in writing or on video, with a search warrant, or as
otherwise permitted by law.
vii. The officer conducting the inventory shall list the inventoried items
under the detainee property section of the booking program. The
items should be exposed to the view of the booking video camera if
possible. [72.5.2(b)]
b. Storage
i. All items removed from the detainee shall be marked with the
detainee’s identification and placed in a property locker. [72.5.1(c)]
ii. Large, bulky items which do not fit in a property locker shall be
stored in the bulky storage cabinet adjacent to the property lockers
and documented on the proper form.
c. Return of Property [72.5.1(d)]
i. Items removed from the detainee which are not taken as evidence
shall be:
a) Returned to the detainee upon release from the facility;
or
b) Transported to court or to the receiving agency and
turned over to the custody of the receiving officials.
Note: Bulky items, which will not be accepted by the Court,
shall be turned over to the Property officer for safekeeping.
ii. The inventory of property shall be viewed with and signed by the
arrestee and witnessed. If the arrestee refuses to sign the inventory
form, the officer releasing the property should insert “REFUSED” on
the signature line.
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6. Strip Search/Visual Body Cavity Searches
a. A strip search or visual body cavity search of a prisoner is warranted only
if officers have probable cause to believe that the prisoner is concealing
contraband or weapons on his/her body (Comm. v. Thomas 1999).ii
b. All strip searches and visual body cavity searches must be approved by
the Commanding Officer. [1.2.8(a)]
c. Strip searches shall be conducted in a professional manner so as not to
humiliate the prisoner.
d. All strip searches and visual body cavity searches shall be conducted by
an officer/employee of the same sex as the detainee and out of the public
view and video cameras. Only the individual(s) conducting or witnessing
the search should be able to see the person being searched. For safety
purposes, additional employees may also witness the search in the event
that it appears that the detainee may become violent. [1.2.8(b)]
e. A private room shall be used when available. Video cameras and
recorders, if active in the search area, shall be set so as not to display or
record the search. Audio recordings are authorized. [1.2.8(b)]
f. The officer/employee conducting the strip/visual body cavity search shall
not touch or prod any body part.
g. A suspect need not be completely naked to conduct a strip search. The
removal of clothing and search of the upper body may be followed by the
suspect’s replacing the clothing, and the process then followed for the
lower body.
h. A report shall be made of all incidents where a strip search is conducted,
identifying: [1.2.8(c)]
i. The probable cause for the search;
ii. The supervisor giving authority for the search;
iii. The officer conducting the search and assisting officers;
iv. The location where the search was conducted; and
v. The results of the search.
7. Manual Body Cavity Search
a. A body cavity search of an arrestee is warranted only if officers have
probable cause to believe that the arrestee is concealing contraband or
weapons in his/her body.iii
b. Body cavity searches shall not be conducted without the express approval
of the Commanding Officer and a search warrant signed by a Judge (not
a Magistrate or Assistant Clerk Magistrate).iv [1.2.8(a)] The Captain of
Operations, or in his absence, the Chief of Police will be notified if a body
cavity search warrant is being requested.
c. Manual body cavity searches shall be conducted by medical personnel, in
a private and hygienic setting such as a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office,
and is done in a medically approved manner.v [1.2.8(b)]
d. A report shall be made of all incidents where a body cavity search is
conducted identifying: [1.2.8(c)]
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i. The probable cause for the search: this may be accomplished by
referencing the search warrant;
ii. The supervisor giving authority to request the search warrant;
iii. The names of medical staff conducting the search;
iv. The location where the search was conducted; and
v. The results of the search.
8. Detainee Rights
During the booking process, the booking officer shall:
a. Inform the detainee of his/her rights pursuant to Miranda by reading the
Miranda Warning from a printed card or form.
b. The detainee shall be advised of his/her right to use the telephone and
afforded the use of a telephone within one hour of being brought into the
Police Station in custody. [72.7.1(d)]
i. [S]he shall be allowed to exercise his/her right in order to contact
family or friends, to arrange for bail, or to contact an attorney.vi
ii. This may be accomplished by them using their own cell phone to
aid in looking up phone numbers or in paying for the call.
c. Toll calls will be made at the detainee’s expense.
d. Officers shall allow calls of a type, number and duration that are
reasonable and practical, including access to an attorney. [72.7.1(c)]
e. Detainee phone calls will not be recorded. [72.7.1(e)]
f. When arrested on a warrant, the arrestee shall, upon request, be provided
with a printed copy of the warrant contained in the Warrant Management
System within six hours of the request.vii
g. OUI Arrest Rights: Any person arrested and held in custody for operating
a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor shall be
afforded all applicable rights (M.G.L. Ch. 263 sec. 5A)
9. Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Checks
a. A computer “wanted” check shall be performed on all persons arrested or
held in protective custody. The printed query sheet produced will be
attached to the intake form.
b. A Board of Probation check and an Interstate Identification Index (III) check
shall be run on all persons arrested by this Department to view prior court
activity in Massachusetts (BOP) `and all other states (III). The hard copy
produced will be clipped to the booking packet.
c. A suicide check (Q5) query shall be run on every person to be detained in
the Department's holding facility, and the hard copy produced shall also be
attached to the booking form.
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10. Identification: Any detainee who is unknown to the personnel on duty at the
station should be positively identified. Identification may be determined
through:
a. A government photo identification;
b. An investigative identification (name check, booking or RMV photo, etc.);
or
c. Fingerprint-based criminal history.
11. Booking [72.5.2(a)]
a. All persons taken into custody under arrest or in protective custody by
members of this Department shall be booked using the internal booking
software.
b. The booking process creates an internal criminal history and custodial
history of each person processed. A Master Name number and Case
number will be created for internal records and offense base tracking
number (OBTN) are created for each arrest. [82.3.6]
c. The booking program gathers the following information:
i. Biographical data on the prisoner/detainee, including name,
address, social security number, telephone number(s), date and
place of birth, age, marital status, and names of parents and
spouse. Any refusal to answer any of these questions shall be
noted on the form.
ii. Information about the crime, including the offense(s) with which the
individual is charged and the arresting officer's name(s).
iii. Physical description of the arrestee, including sex, race, height,
weight, color of hair and eyes, complexion, build, scars, marks,
tattoos, and physical condition, e.g., body deformities, trauma
markings, bruises, lesions, and ease of movement.
iv. Property inventory and disposition. [72.5.2]
v. Criminal Justice Information System query results.
d. All bookings shall be printed and the records shall be kept in the Master
Name file in Central Records, a secure area with access limited to
authorized persons. These forms shall serve as the permanent
arrest/detention record of the individual arrested/detained. [72.1.3]
12. Fingerprinting
a. All persons arrested by this Department shall be fingerprinted in
accordance with these guidelines; [1.2.5(b)]
i. Juvenile offenders will not generally be printed and will not be
printed for status offenses.
ii. Full Case prints – should be done for all B&E arrests and major
crimes
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13. Photographing: All persons arrested by this Department shall be photographed
each and every time they are arrested [1.2.5(c)]. Photographs should be taken
of scars, marks, and tattoos being noted on the booking sheet if possible, and
also stored in the subject’s Master Name entry in ProPhoenix.
14. Suicide Risk Evaluations
a. All detainees shall be monitored for what a reasonable person would
consider to be suicidal tendencies or attempts to self-inflict serious bodily
injury.
b. A detainee shall be placed on suicide watch if:
i. The detainee exhibits signs or symptoms that a reasonable person
would identify as that of suicidal behavior;
ii. The detainee threatens to commit suicide;
iii. The detainee attempts to commit suicide;
iv. The detainee’s name appears on the Q5, Suicide Risk File; or
v. The detainee is brought to a hospital for a mental health evaluation,
released, and returned to the police holding facility.
c. The Commanding Officer shall consider the detainee’s charges, mental
state, behavior and other factors and determine if the detainee should be
transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation (Section 12). See
Department policy 41O - Handling the Mentally Ill.
d. If a detainee attempts or threatens suicide it shall be entered into the
Criminal Justice Information System database Suicide file (“Q5’ screen).
e. For further information, see Department policy 72B – Detainment of
Prisoners including Bail Procedures.
E. Holding Cells
1. Removal to Cell: Prior to placing a detainee in a cell within the holding facility,
the booking officer shall conduct a security search of the cell, including a
search for weapons and contraband. [72.4.5] [72.5.6]
a. If any weapons or contraband are found, the detainee should be placed in
another cell and the supervisor notified.
b. The officer finding the item shall submit a report regarding the item found.
c. The Commanding Officer shall place the item into evidence and conduct
an investigation into the matter.
2. Placing in Cell: Whenever an officer closes a cell door to incarcerate a
detainee, [s]he shall test the door to be sure it is securely locked. Any problems
in securing a cell door shall be reported to the Commanding Officer, who may
take the cell out of service and report the problem to the Captain of
Administration.
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F. Medical Screening and Treatment Procedures
1. Intake Screening: The prisoner shall, upon arrival at the station and before
transfer to another facility, be received and screened by the Booking Officer.
This screening shall consist of a brief inquiry into:
a. The current health of the detainee; [72.6.3(a)]
b. Any medications being taken; [72.6.3(b)]
c. Behavioral observations, including consciousness and mental status (also
see Suicide Risk Evaluation in this policy D.13, pp12-13); and [72.6.3(c)]
d. A notation of any obvious body deformities, trauma markings, bruises,
lesions, jaundice, ease of movement, or other conditions if relevant to the
detention. [72.6.3(d)]
Note: These observations shall be noted on the Booking form and
officer’s report.
2. Treatment
a. Medical treatment shall be arranged for any detainee in need of medical
treatment. See Department policy 72B – Detainment of Prisoners
including Bail Procedures. [72.6.1]
b. No employee shall be allowed to go beyond the scope of his/her training
in administering to the emergency or special medical needs of any person
held in the custody of this Department. This scope is determined by the
level of emergency medical training of the individual members of the
Department (i.e., CPR, First Responder, EMT, etc.).[72.6.1]
G. Group Arrests and Overflow Situations [72.5.6]
1. Detainee Intake
a. In the event of a group arrest, detainees arriving at the station will be
placed in a holding cell, with multiple detainees in a single cell if necessary,
or otherwise secured as directed by the Commanding Officer.
b. If, as the result of a group arrest, or at any other time, the Commanding
Officer determines that the number of persons to be detained in the holding
facility will exceed the number for which the facility was designed, [s]he
may authorize the overcrowding on a temporary basis.
i. Non-violent, low security risk detainees may be held as a group, if
from the same incident or by sex and age in separate locations as
determined by the Commanding Officer.
ii. The temporary overcrowding of this / these area(s) is permitted
under these circumstances until such time as the overcrowding
situation can reasonably be relieved, typically through the transfer
or release of persons being held.
iii. In order to accomplish this, the Commanding Officer shall examine
the list of detainees and attempt to expedite the bail or release of
the less serious offenders.
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iv. If release of a sufficient number of detainees to relieve the
overcrowding of the holding facility is not possible, the Commanding
Officer may request the use of a neighboring police department’s
holding facilities, with the use of Lexington personnel to maintain
security and control, if requested by the other Department.
c. The Commanding Officer is authorized to call in and order such additional
personnel as may be necessary to satisfy the staffing requirements of the
overflow situation. At least one officer/ matron will remain in the cell block
area to monitor over crowded areas.
2. Detainee Processing: Each detainee will be brought to a booking area to be
booked and fully processed.
3. Detainee Intake-Neighboring Facility [72.5.6]
a. In the event of a group arrest that exceeds the maximum capacity
of our holding facility or a situation exists that prevents the use of
our holding facility, prisoners may, at the direction of the
Commanding Officer, be taken directly to area Police
Department holding facilities with a courtesy or paper booking and
processing taking place there.
b. The Commanding Officer shall request Mutual Aid from an area
department designated by the Commanding Officer and request
their cooperation in this procedure.
c. The transporting officer is responsible to bring all the proper forms
and data to the area department that is assisting with
booking. Upon completion of booking all paperwork
shall be brought back to the Lexington Police
department.
d. The following agencies touch the borders of Lexington and
are the nearest facilities to the Lexington Police
department with regards to prisoner overflow; it shall be the
responsibility of the Commanding officer to determine which agency is
most appropriate for assistance:
i. Arlington
ii. Bedford
iii. Belmont
iv. Burlington
v. Lincoln
vi. Waltham
vii. Winchester
viii. Woburn
e. Lexington officers will adhere to the host agencies weapons,
security and prisoner processing and search procedures for their
respective holding f acilities. If the host agencies policies are less
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comprehensive or less restrictive than Lexington’s holding facility
and prisoner procedures, the Lexington Police Department’s
Policies and Procedures shall prevail and guide the actions of
Lexington officers with respect to handling, supervising and
monitoring prisoners at the overflow facility. See Department Policy
72B-Detaining Prisoners, Including Bail.
f. Should the receiving agency request personnel to monitor
Lexington prisoners, the transporting officer shall remain at the
host facility to provide thirty (30) minute checks or in the case of a
suicide risk, fifteen (15) minute checks until such time as a relief
officer is assigned to the host agency.
H. Handling Juveniles and Females
1. Detainee Processing
a. When a child between the ages of seven (7) and eighteen (18) is arrested
with or without a warrant, the Department Policy and Procedure 44B
Handling Youthful Offenders shall be followed. Persons age eighteen
(18) and older are considered adults under the Massachusetts General
Laws.
b. Juveniles shall not be booked at the same time as adult arrestees.
c. Females shall not be booked at the same time as male arrestees.
2. Detainee Holding: See Department policy 72E - Holding Facility.
I. Bail and Arraignment
1. Court Business Hours: If the court is in session when the booking process and
all related arrest reports are completed, it shall be the responsibility of the
Commanding Officer to ensure that the arrestee is transported to the court
without delay.viii [72.7.1(a)]
2. Court not in Session: If the court is not in session when the booking process
and all related reports are completed, the arrestee shall be confined in the
holding facility until bail can be arranged, or if bail cannot be arranged, until the
next session of the court.ix [72.7.1(a)]
3. Bail [72.7.1(b)]
a. Arrestees shall be informed of the right to bail and afforded the opportunity
for bail.x
b. It shall be the responsibility of the Commanding Officer to ensure that an
arrestee's opportunity to make bail is not impeded.
c. Bail shall be determined by the Bail Commissioner.
d. Requesting Bail:
i. Prior to contacting the Bail Commissioner, officers should have the
following information available:
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(a) Identity of the person to be bailed. If the identity is in question,
the bail clerk shall be so advised.
(b) Residence of the person.
(c) Age of the person.
(d) Offenses charged.
(e) Criminal history (Board of Probation record check, III).
(f) History of court defaults (BOP)
(g) Issues relating to dangerousness, if appropriate.
(h) Detainee funds and whether or not the detainee wishes to be
bailed.
ii. The detainee shall be advised of his/her bail status. If the detainee
has funds and wishes to be bailed, the Bail Commissioner should be
so advised.
iii. If the detainee does not have funds and wishes to be bailed, the
detainee may attempt to call others for funds.
iv. When the bail money is at the Police Station, the Bail Commissioner
shall be called by the Commanding Officer and so advised.
(a) It is preferred that police employees not take bail money from
persons wishing to bail the detainee. Encourage them to wait
with the funds for the arrival of the Bail Commissioner.
(b) If it appears the detainee’s family or friends will not stay for
the bail clerk, then the Commanding Officer may place this
money into the detainee’s personal property and document
the transaction.
(c) The Bail Commissioner shall be provided with the booking
paperwork, application for complaint, criminal citation, or
served warrant.
(d) The detainee’s cell shall be inspected for contraband and
fresh damage caused by the detainee. The detainee shall be
escorted to the Bail Commissioner from the holding cell by a
police officer or officers (preferred / if necessary) to be
processed for bail.
(e) Detainees under arrest that are also in protective custody
may be returned to custody after being bailed until such time
as they may be released. See Department policy 72C -
Protective Custody.
4. Probable Cause Hearing
a. Detainees who are not released on bail within twenty-four hours following
an arrest on charges for which probable cause has not been determined
by a judge or magistrate are entitled to a Probable Cause Hearing
(“Jenkins Hearing” Jenkins vs. Chief Justice of District Court 1993).xi
b. The Commanding Officer shall report the facts, orally or in writing, to a
neutral magistrate (usually the Clerk of Courts).
72A Booking Procedures
Policy & Procedure Page 16 of 17
c. The probable cause review must take place within twenty-four hours. The
Commanding Officer will document with the arrest documentation the
results of the “Jenkins Hearing”.
d. In the event that the review cannot take place due to extraordinary
circumstances, the hearing should take place as soon as possible and the
reason for the delay documented.
5. Violent or Uncontrollable Detainees: See Department policy 72B – Detainment
of Prisoners including Bail Procedures.
J. Release of a Detainee
1. Return of Property
a. All items of property shall be compared to the items listed on the inventory
report and the individual shall be requested to sign the form indicating that
[s]he has received the property. A refusal to sign shall be noted in writing
on the Inventory Report as “REFUSED”.
b. Any items which were held for evidence or as contraband shall be indicated
on the Inventory Report.
2. Change of Medical Condition: The medical screening information shall be
rechecked, and any changes from the condition at entry shall be noted on the
intake form. An inquiry shall be made as to the origin of any changes in
condition, and the answers shall be documented on the intake form.
3. Upon release of the detainee from any cell, the Commanding Officer or
designee shall conduct a search of the cell, including a search for weapons
and contraband. Any unusual conditions shall be documented. [72.4.5]
K. Receiving Persons from Outside Agencies [72.5.5]
1. Intake of Detainee
a. Upon receiving a detainee from another law enforcement agency,
The Booking Officer shall:
i. Positively identify the Officer who transferred custody to the
Lexington Police Department. (Badge/Employee ID)
ii. Verify the authority and lawfulness of the detention. The following
persons may request that this Department accept their prisoner:
(a) A law enforcement officer;
(b) A corrections officer;
(c) A sheriff or deputy sheriff authorized to serve criminal
process;
(d) A constable, provided that the detainee is charged with a
criminal offense; and
(e) A federal officer, provided that the detainee is being held for
a criminal offense.
72A Booking Procedures
Policy & Procedure Page 17 of 17
Note: Lexington will not detain nor extend a detention
based on any local, state or federal civil order or detainer,
unless otherwise required by law.
iii. Verify detainee information from the delivering officer. The
information should include:
(a) A copy of any booking sheet;
(b) Any court documents if the detainee is to be bailed; and
(c) A point of contact and telephone number where a
responsible member of the delivering agency can be
reached at any time during the day or night.
iv. The detainee shall be screened for medical issues. See Medical
Screening and Treatment Procedure (in this policy F.13.1.2
pp13-14).
2. If hospitalization, a suicide watch, or other special handling is necessary, the
delivering agency will provide the necessary personnel to manage these
situations.
3. Property will be managed consistent with this policy.
4. Bail: Detainees may be bailed from custody if bail is set by the Bail
Commissioner in the jurisdiction of the delivering agency.
i M.G.L. c. 276, §33.
ii Com. v. Thomas, 429 Mass. 403, 708 N.E.2d 669 (1999); Swain v. Spinney, 117 F.3d (1st
Cir. Mass 1997).
iii Com. v. Thomas, 429 Mass. 403, 708 N.E.2d 669 (1999); Swain v. Spinney, 117 F.3d (1st
Cir. Mass 1997).
iv Rodrigues v. Furtado, 410 Mass. 878, 575 N.E.2d 1124 (1991).
v Rodrigues v. Furtado, 950 F.2d 805 (1st Cir. Mass. 1991).
vi M.G.L. c. 276, §33A.
vii M.G.L. c. 248, §26.
viii M.G.L. c. 276, §58.
ix M.G.L. c. 276, §58; Com. v. Finelli, 422 Mass. 860, 666 N.E.2d 144 (1996).
x M.G.L. c. 276, §42.
xi Jenkins v. Chief Justice of Dist. Court Dept. 416 Mass. 221, 619 N.E.2d 324 (1993).