Searches by non-LE

[surfrescue]

As one of my duties on the beach patrol I work for I am charged with enforcing minor local ordinances (mostly open container violations). I do not write tickets, but can easily have the PD come and issue a citation if necessary. My question is what authority, if any, do I have to search someone's belongings (i.e.-cooler) if I have suspicion of alcohol violation? I can give an example where this came up this summer if any of you want me to. Thanks. Tim
BTW, I take alcohol violations seriously because I've rescued my share of drunk people and been involved with neck/back injuries that happened when someone who was drinking decided he was Superman and came down on the sandbar face first after being flipped by friends (also drinking).

[HmtPD2]

You may want to get with a supervisor and really look into you authority. In a job like LE, or enforcing ANY law of codes, you have to know exactly where you can go.
DO NOT ever try to bluff anyone. When someone tells you, "Hey, you can't do that." There is nothing more satisfying than to look them straight in the eye and say, "Hmmmmm, really."
You could also open yourself to serious liability.
In Ca., store loss prevention, and service officers have limited search an detain authority.

[mdb23]

Wish I could help you, but the law varies greatly from state to state, and I am only familiar with MO law.

Check with your local prosecutor or PD.

mdb23

[fish78]

Surf,
Is it against the local law to drink a beer on the beach? If it is, there is one beach I won't visit!

[surfrescue]

Originally posted by fish78:
Is it against the local law to drink a beer on the beach?
Yeah. Most of the time it's not a problem, but it's simply a matter of the open container laws where I work. Believe me, we need them. Usually if I see alcohol I'll just advise the patrons about local laws and ask them to remove the alcohol and keep any unopened ones in their cooler and leave it at that. I only get pissed when people repeatedly disobey my orders or lie to me (as I imagine many of you do).

[RogueExec]

Me and my cronies have been known to bend a few rules with regard to blowin' the froth off a couple at the beach, however.........we also respect you and your cohorts and the job you do. If asked, we just move along. Otherwise, we bend the rules, just because...........I wouldn't want your job, bro. It's not an easy one, I imagine. And most of the time, a thankless one.

Here's to ya, dude..........(by the way, I'm drinkin' this to ya, on the beach http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif )

[fish78]

All I can say is: boys come on down to St. Simons Island Ga. Its almost required to have beer in your cooler for admittance to the beach. You Fed types who have done time at F.L.E.T C. know what I mean.