NCJ Number
133670
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This police training document instructs police officers in the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions that underlie the legal principles for an investigative stop based on a person's compliance with a drug courier profile.
Abstract
The U.S. Supreme court decisions explained are Terry v. Ohio (1968) and United States v. Sokolow (1989). Based on these court decisions, this training document concludes that drug courier profiles may be used only as a basis for further investigation. Such profiles do not, standing alone, justify an arrest. Factors that make up the elements of a drug courier profile may, however, under certain circumstances justify an investigative stop. The officer who makes the stop must also be able to identify and explain the factors which prompted the officer to form a reasonable suspicion of the person stopped. The officer should know factors that are included in the profile and why they are included. The officer should identify for the court factors in addition to those listed in the profile that contributed to the overall decision to detain the suspect. The detention of the suspect should be limited to the minimum time necessary to obtain additional information. If the suspect has not yet been arrested, the officer should obtain either a valid consent from the subject for a search or a search warrant before searching the suspect's luggage or automobile. Questions and answers on the material are provided. 22 notes