Applicable To: All sworn employees

Approval Authority:  Major Darryl K. Tolleson

Signature:  Signed by DKT

Date Signed:  8/30/2004

1.          PURPOSE  PAGEREF _Toc81641703 \h 1

2.          POLICY   PAGEREF _Toc81641704 \h 1

3.          RESPONSIBILITIES  PAGEREF _Toc81641705 \h 1

4.          ACTION  PAGEREF _Toc81641706 \h 1

4.1        Airport Section Detention Cells  PAGEREF _Toc81641707 \h 1

4.2.1      Use of the Airport Section Detention Cells  PAGEREF _Toc81641708 \h 2

4.1.3      Detainee(s) Needs  PAGEREF _Toc81641709 \h 2

4.1.4      Security  PAGEREF _Toc81641710 \h 2

4.1.5      Fire or Evacuation  PAGEREF _Toc81641711 \h 3

4.1.6      Detention Cell Form   PAGEREF _Toc81641712 \h 3

4.1.7      Detention Cell Cleanliness  PAGEREF _Toc81641713 \h 3

4.2        Use by other law enforcement agencies  PAGEREF _Toc81641714 \h 3

4.3        Training in use of the Airport Section Detention Cells  PAGEREF _Toc81641715 \h 3

5.          DEFINITIONS  PAGEREF _Toc81641716 \h 3

6.          CANCELLATIONS  PAGEREF _Toc81641717 \h 4

7.          REFERENCES  PAGEREF _Toc81641718 \h 4

1.               PURPOSE

The purpose of this section command memorandum is to establish procedures for law enforcement personnel to utilize the Atlanta Police Airport Section Detention Cells.

2.               POLICY

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta Police Department Airport Section to provide a safe and secure environment to hold detainees. 

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES [ Return to Top ]

3.1              It is the responsibility of the watch commander to ensure that the procedures established in this Section Command Memorandum are adhered to.

3.2              It is the responsibility of the arresting or transporting officer to check the detainee every (30) thirty-minutes and record the checks on the Detention Form.   A monitor, which provides visual and audio monitoring, is installed at the workstation outside the Detention Cells to enable the officer to conduct this supervision. This monitor will be turned on and volume increased so the officer may monitor the detainee. If the officer is unfamiliar with the monitors operation, a supervisor will set this monitor up so the supervision of the detainee may be accomplished.  These checks are to ensure the well being of the detainee and to address any needs the detainee may have.  

4.               ACTION

4.1              Airport Section Detention Cells [ Return to Top ]

4.1.1           The Airport Section Detention Cells are located in the police precinct and are two 4x12 foot rooms that are designed to hold detainees.  The cells have concrete block walls, steel mesh ceilings, heavy gage steel doors with heavy-duty locks and Plexiglas windows.  Each cell is equipped with a bench that is bolted to the floor and an audio/video recording system.    

4.2.1           Use of the Airport Section Detention Cells [ Return to Top ]

1.    The City of Atlanta Police Department Airport Section will not hold any detainee in it’s Detention Cells in excess of two (2) hours.

2.    When not occupied, the light in the Detention Cells will be turned off and the door closed.  The audio/video recording system is activated when the light is turned on.  At no time will the light be turned off when the Detention Cells are occupied.

3.    The Watch Commander or his/her designee must be notified prior to placing anyone in the Airport Section Detention Cells.

4.    Use of the Detention Cells will be limited to the processing, questioning, or testing of detainee(s).  Only law enforcement officers and emergency response personnel are allowed in the Detention Cells with detainees.  Under no circumstances will detainee friends, relatives or others be allowed within the Detention Cells.

5.    Smoking, matches, lighters and any flammable items or liquids are prohibited in the Detention Cells.

6.    A minimum of two law enforcement officers must be present to place or remove detainees in or out of the Detention Cells.  This procedure is to ensure safety of the detainee and officers. 

7.    When detainees are placed in the Detention Cells, the cell lock will be fully locked and the key removed.  The key will be secured on the workstation outside the Temporary Holding Facilities.

8.    Male, female and juvenile detainees will be kept separated when being held or detained in the Airport Section Detention Cells.

4.1.3           Detainee(s) Needs [ Return to Top ]

Detainees being held in the Airport Section Detention Cells will be provided access to water, restrooms, and other basic needs in a timely manner.

4.1.4           Security [ Return to Top ]

1.    All employees will keep their firearms secured in their holsters while in the Detention Cells.

2.    When detainees are moved outside the Detention Cells the detainees will be handcuffed and accompanied by a police officer.

3.    A security inspection of the Detention Cells will be conducted at the beginning of each watch by the on coming watch commander, as well as before and after each detainee is secured by the arresting or transporting officer.  The arresting or transporting officer will search all detainees before placing them in the detention cells and again upon removal.        

4.    Prior to placing detainees in the Detention Cells, the arresting or transporting officer will confiscate the detainees belt, tie, jacket, shoes, shoe strings, purse, etc.

4.1.5           Fire or Evacuation [ Return to Top ]

1.    In the event of a fire in the Detention Cells, the arresting or transporting officer will immediately secure the detainees, remove them from the Detention Cells and activate the fire alarm located outside the Detention Cells.

2.    In the event of evacuation of the police precinct, the arresting or transporting officer will immediately secure the detainees, remove them from the Detention Cells and follow the Precinct Evacuation Plan.

4.1.6           Detention Cell Form [ Return to Top ]

1.    A Detention Cell Form will be completed on all detainee(s) placed in the Detention Cells. This form is designed to capture all pertinent information, as well as provide a record of detainee(s) detained.

 2.   The approving officer blank on the form will be signed by a supervisor, or in his/her absence, the officer who actually makes the arrest and places the detainee in the Detention Cell may sign the form.

3.    All Detention Forms will be submitted to the administrative office at the end of each watch.

4.1.7           Detention Cell Cleanliness [ Return to Top ]

1.    The Detention Cells are cleaned daily, but if they should become soiled AATC will be contacted at 404-530-2112 to clean the Detention Cells.

4.2              Use by other law enforcement agencies [ Return to Top ]

4.2.1           Other law enforcement agencies requesting to house detainee(s) in the Atlanta Police Airport Section detention rooms will be advised of the two (2) hour limit, the procedures established in this directive, and the requesting agencies responsibility for the supervision of it's detainee(s).  Airport Section employees will not take charge of any detainee from other law enforcement agencies.

4.3              Training in use of the Airport Section Detention Cells [ Return to Top ]

4.3.1           It is the responsibility of each watch supervisor to ensure that each employee receives a copy of and receives training on this section command memorandum.  Watch supervisors will ensure that all sworn employees are trained in the operation of the Detention Cell Locks and the Detention Cell Monitoring System.

5.               DEFINITIONS [ Return to Top ]

5.1              AATC: Atlanta Airlines Terminal Corporation

5.2              DETAINEE: Any person held in custody.

5.3              DETENTION CELLS: The two rooms located in the precinct with locking doors used to house detainee(s).

6.               CANCELLATIONS [ Return to Top ]

AS.CM.01.004, Use of the Airport Section Detention Rooms is cancelled.

7.               REFERENCES [ Return to Top ]

APD.SOP.3030 Arrest Procedures