Police Revise Policy On Searches

The Police Commission has revised a police department policy on searches.

Police Commission members August 7 revised the policy to require that police officers obtain a signed document formally allowing a consensual search of a motor vehicle.

Until now, police conducted consensual searches of vehicles if the driver/owner verbally agreed to such a search.

The revised policy, which requires signed permission, could later be used by police as proof of consent to search.

If the driver/owner of a vehicle does not consent to a search, police must obtain a search warrant from a judge to conduct a search.