Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by James R. Cole
By law, individuals have the right to refuse a bag search, but company policy may still require the screening of people and their belongings. When you request to search bags or other items, it’s important to remember that they can choose to refuse.
If this occurs, security staff must be prepared to handle the situation calmly and effectively. It’s crucial to gather as much information as possible about the individual who has refused the bag search.
Your Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the specific actions to take if someone refuses a search:
- Deny access to the site or area
- Record the personal details of the individual refusing the search
- Report the incident to your supervisor
- Contact the police if necessary
How to handle the prohibited items?
When you discover prohibited items during the search for bags or belongings, it’s essential to be familiar with the company’s policy for handling them.
Each organization may have its procedures for storing prohibited items found during a protective search. If you want to learn more about how to properly conduct a protective search, click here.
What can be the prohibited items?
To effectively identify dangerous and prohibited items, security staff must be well-known in the list of items that are permitted and those that are not. Here are some common items that are considered dangerous on this particular site:
- Airports
- Flammable gases, liquids, and gels
- Weapons
- Food items
- Etc.
- National borders
- Untaxed goods
- Drugs/Alcohol
- Plants and animals
- Large amounts of cash
- Construction sites
- Unauthorized removal of construction materials
- Cameras and recording devices
- Corporate Headquarters
- Removable media storage (USB, Hard drive, etc.)
- Weapons
- Unauthorized removal of printed documents
Security personnel must be able to identify these types of items and materials when screening people and baggage.
Having a detailed understanding of the site-specific requirements will also help ensure a strong and effective security system within the organization.
Safety concerns when you search bags
If any dangerous items are found during a security search, they should be confiscated and securely held by the security team as evidence. When handling dangerous items, always prioritize your safety and beware of the following items:
- Sharp edges
- Explosive potential
- Chemical exposure
- Biological contamination or infection
How to Handle Prohibited Items?
- Collection;
- Always wear gloves to prevent contamination of evidence.
- Change gloves if multiple items need to be collected, ensuring a sterile connection to each piece of evidence.
- If the evidence is a substance, take a sample with a sterile swab and place it in a sealed zip-lock container.
- Securing: Prevent any further access to the evidence item to maintain its integrity.
- Preservation: Store the evidence in an appropriate environment to ensure its usefulness later on.
- Identification: Label the evidence bag with the company name, your name, date, time, location, and evidence number.
- Continuity of Custody: Maintain a detailed record of the transfer of evidence from one person to another to ensure a clear chain of custody.
- Logging: Document all evidence items in an evidence register for accurate tracking.
- Explosives/Chemicals/Bio-hazard Detected
- Immediately call the police.
- Evacuate the area.
- Secure the area by initiating a lockdown (cordon and control).
Conclusion:
When you search for bags and individuals, always prioritize your safety. If you discover any dangerous items during a protective search, immediately inform your supervisor and the control room. Depending on the severity of the items, you may need to contact the police to handle the situation appropriately.
