transporting offenders

Transporting Offenders Procedures Under IAW 316 SFS SFOI 31-118

Overview of Transporting Procedures

  • Transporting offenders must follow provisions detailed in IAW SFTRG 1 Fundamental Skills and specific guidelines in the following sections:

    • 16.9. Transporting Offenders

    • 16.9.1: Guidelines for vehicle setup and personnel seating arrangements.

    • 16.9.2: Safety protocols concerning securing offenders within vehicles.

Detailed Provisions for Transporting Offenders

16.9 Transporting Offenders

  • This section emphasizes safety protocols for both law enforcement officers (LEO) and the suspects being transported.

16.9.1 Vehicle and Personnel Guidelines

  • In vehicles not equipped with a protective cage:

    • An SF member must accompany the suspect in the rear seat.

    • The suspect should not be seated directly behind the driver; instead, they should be placed in the passenger's side of the vehicle to enhance safety.

16.9.2 Safety During Transport

  • Offenders must be secured with seat belts to ensure safety in the event of an accident, reducing liability and injury risk.

SFTRG 4: 6.3 Transporting an Offender

  • This regulation specifies that:

    • A single LEO should never attempt to transport more than one suspect without the proper equipment (i.e., a cage) or vehicle (e.g., a transport van).

    • It is paramount to ensure the safety of both the military suspect and civilian offender during transport.

    • Before transporting personnel, patrol officers must communicate with the Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC) controller.

      • Essential information to relay includes:

        • Passenger information

        • Beginning and ending mileage of the vehicle

        • Origin and destination of the transport

  • All individuals apprehended for a criminal offense must be thoroughly searched before transport, with this responsibility resting on the patrol officer conducting the transport.

Search Protocols

  • Interior Search of Patrol Car:

    • The patrol car must be searched before a suspect is transported to ensure that no unauthorized items are in reach of the suspect.

    • After the transport is completed, the patrol car must again be searched for any contraband that may have been discarded by the suspect.

Restraint Protocols

  • Suspects in custody must always be handcuffed during transport to ensure both officer and public safety.

  • In situations where a patrol vehicle with a transport cage is unavailable:

    • A second SF must be present alongside the transport officer.

    • The suspect must not be seated next to or right behind the driver, maintaining necessary safety precautions for the officer.

Conclusion

  • The outlined procedures are critical for maintaining the safety and security of both the law enforcement officers and the transported individuals, ensuring adherence to protocols as per the military and law enforcement standards.