INTERVIEW ROOM 18.3A
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: INTERVIEW ROOM
GENERAL ORDER: 18.3A
EFFECTIVE: March 17, 2003
REVISES: 18.3
PAGES: 5
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following sections.
I. SAFETY
II. PROPERTY
III. MANDATED SEPARATION
IV. MONITORING LOG
V. EMERGENCIES
VI. VIDEOTAPING
VII. CONSTANT SUPERVISION
VIII FIREARMS/WEAPON CONTROL
IX. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this General Order is to establish guidelines for using the department Interview
Rooms.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all sworn members.
DISCUSSION:
Any officer is authorized to use the Interview Room upon review and acknowledgment of this
order and room availability. A sworn member should be present at all times when there is a suspect/arrestee in
an Interview Room. In the event the sworn member leaves the room, the appropriate log entries will be made.
Officers will receive training regarding the use of the Interview Room during the field training program.
POLICY:
It is the policy of this department that the Interview Room will be used in accordance with the
guidelines set forth in this General Order.
PROCEDURE:
I. SAFETY:
The interviewing officer is responsible for the humane treatment, safety, and security of persons
under his control. The officer will ensure that such persons are provided access to water, restrooms, and other
necessities. The officer will adhere to the following guidelines when using the Interview Room for processing or
questioning suspects or arrestees.
1. Searches/”Pat Downs”:
The officer will:
a.
Search the interview room for any weapons or contraband before and after the interview;
G. O. 18.3A
b.
Search arrestees for weapons and contraband before placement in the Interview Room;
c.
Perform a weapon “pat-down” for officer safety reasons on any suspect before placement in the
Interview Room; (Officers may advise suspects that the “pat-down” is based on agency policy and does
not affect their non-arrest status.)
2. Access:
The interviewing officer controls access to the Interview Room. Any person, other than
department members, allowed access to the Interview Room may be subject to a “pat-down” for weapons
and contraband.
3. Security:
The Interview Rooms will be kept free of all extraneous objects that might be used as a
weapon or escape device.
4. Restraints:
The officer will ensure that arrestees are handcuffed at all times while being moved about
the building and when left unattended in the Interview Room. However, the officer may use discretion and
remove handcuffs during the interview process providing the interview is being conducted in the Interview
Room.
a. Leg shackles are authorized if the arrestee is deemed an escape risk.
b. Officers will not handcuff any person to any object in the Interview Room.
II. PROPERTY:
The officer will place any arrestee property (other than weapons or contraband) into a paper
or plastic bag. The officer will seal the bag and both the officer and the arrestee will initial the seal. The
officer will ensure that the property accompanies the arrestee to the County Jail, if transported. Suspects
may retain their property while in the Interview Room, other than weapons or contraband which will be
seized and properly submitted as property and/or evidence.
III. MANDATED SEPARATION:
1. Juveniles:
Juveniles will not be held in the Interview Room at the same time that an adult is being held
therein.
2. Gender Separation:
Females and males will not be left unattended together in the Interview Room.
IV. MONITORING LOG:
The officer will initiate an Interview Room Monitoring Log and perform welfare
checks any time a suspect or arrestee is left unattended in the Interview Room. The officer will make log
entries noting the time the person is first left unattended, each time the officer performs a welfare check, and
the time the officer returns to provide continuous supervision.
a.
Welfare checks will be performed at least every 15 minutes for juveniles.
b.
Welfare checks will be performed at least every 30 minutes for adults.
c.
No person shall be left in the Interview Room without continuous supervision resuming for a
period in excess of two hours.
d.
The log will be attached to the report and forwarded to Records.
V. EMERGENCIES:
a. Medical:
Fire Rescue will be summoned for any medical emergency involving a suspect or
arrestee.
b. Building Evacuation:
In case of a building evacuation (e.g., power failure, bomb threat, fire,
flood, etc.), the interviewing officer is responsible for control of the suspect or arrestee while
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G. O. 18.3A
removing the person from the building. If necessary, the officer will transport the arrestee to the
County Jail until the emergency is cleared.
c.
No trash receptacles or other materials likely to be used to start a fire will be allowed in the
Interview Room.
d.
Should a fire erupt in any part of the Police Building, the person shall immediately be removed
from the Interview Room and escorted out of the building via the nearest safe exit.
e.
A fire extinguisher is kept within ten yards of the Interview Room for quick suppression of small
fires.
f.
Any officer who has an arrestee/suspect in the Interview Room will carry their police radio at all
times. They will use the police radio to raise the alarm if they are in need of assistance.
g.
Prior to placing someone in the Interview Room, the interviewing officer will conduct a security
inspection of the room to ensure that all safety requirements are being observed.
VI. VIDEOTAPING:
Videotape equipment is available for recording interviews. Only members who are
properly trained in its use may operate such equipment. Any officer requiring a videotaped interview may
request equipment operation assistance from a supervisor or other trained member.
VII. CONSTANT SUPERVISION:
No arrestees or detainees will be left unattended in any area of the Police
Building except the Interview Room. In all other areas the arrestees/detainees will be under the constant
supervision of a sworn member. Non-sworn members will not be used to supervise arrestee/detainees
under any circumstances.
VIII. WEAPON CONTROL:
All weapons, which would include all firearms, impact weapons and knives or
other cutting devices, will not be permitted in an interview room while interviewing a prisoner/detainee.
The only exception would be the Department issued chemical agent.
IX. GLOSSARY:
ARRESTEE – An arrested person not convicted of a crime.
INTERVIEW ROOM – A room within the Tequesta Police department that is used to secure a person without
constant supervision by a sworn member.
SUSPECT – A person not in formal custody for committing a crime.
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G. O. 18.3A
INDEXING:
ARRESTEES
CONSTANT SUPERVISION
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW ROOM
SUSPECT
DRAFTED: djr/March 2003/FILED: INVROOM18.3
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
INTERVIEW ROOM LOG
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G. O. 18.3A
Suspect/Arrestee Name: Case #:
Date: Time Left Unattended:
Time Checked Observed By: Comments/Remarks
Time Suspect/Arrestee Removed from Room or Continuous Observation Resumed:
Officer/Detective Name:
ADULT: Officer/Detective MUST contact occupant of room at least every
30 minutes.
JUVENILE: Officer/Detective MUST contact occupant of room at least
every 15 minutes.
Time left unattended without resumption of continuous observation will not exceed 2
hours.
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