Law Enforcement Bulletin 

Question: Can a suspect give a knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of his Miranda rights, despite being on medication for bipolar disorder and depression? 

Question: Can a police officer approach and request identification from someone who appears to be loitering in an RTA hub for several hours?

Question: Are officers permitted to search any area for evidence of criminal activity while conducting a sweep of a residence for possible intruders? 

Question: Can a sheriff’s office deny a carrying concealed weapon (CCW) application on the sole basis of an applicant being convicted on a misdemeanor of the fourth degree drug paraphernalia charge for possessing a marijuana pipe? 

Question: Can officers continue to search a vehicle after discovering the contraband that prompted the search?

Question: Can an officer continue to interrogate a suspect after locating contraband and placing him in handcuffs? 

Question:  Can an officer continue to detain occupants of a vehicle despite a canine’s non-alert during an open-air sniff? 

Question: What constitutes a suspect’s request for counsel requiring an officer to terminate a custodial interrogation?

Question: When a suspect is arrested on his porch, can officers conduct a protective sweep inside the home?

Question: Are Miranda warnings required when police questioning takes place at the unarrested suspect’s kitchen table as a search warrant is being executed in the suspect’s home?

Question: Can officers make stops for minor misdemeanor traffic offenses outside of their statutory jurisdiction or authority?

Question: Does a municipal code that allows police to inspect hotel guest records on demand violate the Fourth Amendment? 

Question: Must an officer personally observe a traffic violation in order to have reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle?   

Question: Can a consensual encounter become a seizure when an officer retains identification information and conducts a warrant check?

Question: If someone is openly carrying a firearm, can an officer conduct a Terry stop and frisk and disarm the person?

Question: Can an officer prevent someone from closing their door by placing their foot in the doorway without an exception to the warrant requirement? 

Question: Can an officer automatically conduct a pat-down before placing a subject in his patrol car?   

Question: Can an officer extend a traffic stop solely to conduct a dog sniff?

Question: If a vehicle owner consents to the search of his vehicle, can you search a container that belongs to a passenger?

Question:  Can an anonymous tip that is corroborated by an officer’s training, experience, and on-scene observations support reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity?

Question: Can an officer enter an enclosed back porch to arrest a suspect without a warrant?

Have you been on a call at night and entered a dark building without a flashlight? Have you escorted a prisoner on your gun side? Have you almost been involved in a traffic accident because a civilian didn’t stop when your lights and sirens were activated? If you answered yes, you have been involved in a Close Call.  

Question: If you stop someone based on your misinterpretation of the law, is the stop valid?

Question:  Do you need a warrant to search a State database?

Question:  Can you seize property that may contain evidence without a warrant if you fear it will be destroyed or discarded?