Search Result: Asset Forfeiture

The Ridgeland (S.C.) Police Department used federal drug enforcement funds from the DEA earned from seizures to help add Digital Ally video systems to their patrol cars.

The goal of an asset forfeiture program should always be crime reduction; obtaining funds should be secondary to the primary mission.

Members of the Maine Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee say they will push for a law in January requiring legislative approval before state law enforcement agencies can spend money forfeited by drug dealers, a move triggered by Maine State Police recently purchasing a new airplane at a cost of $345,000.

Although it’s tempting to take sides on certain calls, doing so can have major repercussions for you and your agency.

The Fourth Amendment governs three forms of activity: searches (intrusions into privacy), seizures of the person (detentions and arrests), and seizures of property. If these acts are not authorized by judicial warrant, they must come within one or more of the court-created exceptions for warrantless search and seizure (Katz v. U.S.). One of these exceptions is called “plain view.”

Whatever inspired you to become a police officer, when it comes to police work you know law enforcement has many faces.  Aside from the array of different specialties within your own department, each jurisdiction, county or state may put its own spin on these specialties.