Page 222 - Original 2020 Legal Guide By Jack Ryan

Community Caretaking Search of Vehicle

• Officer must be able to articulate a reason to suspect that a vehicle

contains a dangerous item, which, if left unattended in the vehicle,

would pose a threat to public safety.

• Scope of Search would be limited to the size of the item for which

there is a reasonable belief and the information known to the officer

with respect to any specific location, if identified, within the vehicle

of the item.

• Articulate through the use of the officer’s senses (sight, hearing,

touch, smell, taste) the facts and circumstances supporting the

reason to suspect the dangerous item is in the vehicle.

©2020 Jack Ryan Legal & Liability Risk Management Institute 221