Blue to Gold | University

Searches incident to arrest are a key tool for ensuring officer safety and preserving evidence, but they also come with legal limits that every officer needs to know. Understanding what you can search and when helps you make sure your actions are lawful and your cases hold up in court. This class gives you the knowledge and confidence you need to handle these searches the right way.

In Search Incident to Arrest, you’ll learn about the scope of these searches, how to handle items that have been removed from a suspect, and the rules around protective sweeps and timing.

What You’ll Learn

• Scope of Searches
  Understand what areas and items can be searched during an arrest and the legal limits of those searches.
  
  

• Key Legal Requirements
  Learn the two essential factors that must be present to justify a search incident to arrest.
  
  

• Items Removed from the Suspect
  Know when you can search items like backpacks that have been removed from the suspect and what legal considerations apply.
  
  

• Protective Sweeps
  Get clarity on when you can do a protective sweep of the arrestee’s home to ensure officer safety.
  
  

• Timing of Search and Arrest
  Learn about the legal challenges that can come up when a search happens before an arrest and how to handle them properly.

By the end of this class, you’ll be ready to conduct searches incident to arrest confidently and within the law. You’ll know how to balance safety, evidence preservation, and constitutional rights.

Certificate: 1 Hour

Credit: In-service credit available in many states