Who is authorized to approve strip searches of pre-arraigned inmates?

The approval of strip searches for pre-arraigned inmates falls under the authority of the watch commander. This position holds significant responsibility for maintaining safety and order within the facility, making it crucial that such sensitive procedures receive high-level oversight. The watch commander is specifically trained to understand the legal and procedural nuances related to inmate searches, ensuring compliance with departmental policies and applicable laws.

This level of authorization helps to protect the rights of individuals in custody while ensuring that safety protocols are followed. It reflects the importance of having a supervisor in an appropriate leadership role to approve such actions, as they have the responsibility to assess the situation, determine necessity, and ensure that due process is observed.

While other positions, like the shift supervisor or support staff, may have roles in the operation of the facility or in carrying out day-to-day activities, they do not possess the same level of authority or training required to make such critical decisions regarding invasive searches. The on-call sergeant, while also a supervisory role, is typically called upon for specific incidents that require their intervention but would not generally be the initial authority for approving a strip search in normal operations.