STRIP SEARCHES RESTRICTED

Bakersfield's top cop, Police Chief Eric Matlock, has acted swiftly and
responsibly to address community outrage over reports his officers conduct
in-field strip searches of crime suspects.

Matlock has ordered officers to first consult with supervisors before
conducting a strip search for contraband, such as drugs. No prior
authorization will be required, however, if officers are searching for
weapons believed to be so hidden that suspects are required to disrobe for
a search.

Matlock contends strip searches are rarely done. But his department does
not keep records to back that up.

He contends it has only been done when there is cause to require a suspect
to disrobe in public and submit to an invasive search. But his department
does not have a policy governing the necessity and the manner in which the
searches are conducted.

The limits Matlock announced last week will remain in place until such a
policy is developed. Records will be kept of searches conducted.

The shocking revelation that Bakersfield police officers were subjecting
suspects to such humiliating, public searches came in a complaint filed by
two men who whose car was stopped in Bakersfield for a traffic violation --
a lamp over the vehicle's license place was burned out.

A search of the vehicle by officers and a drug-sniffing dog failed to
reveal the existence of drugs. Even the strip searches of the men conducted
in the back seat of a squad did not find drugs. The men, who had criminal
records and were on probation and parole, were released after being issued
a vehicle fix-it ticket.

All Bakersfield residents -- even criminals -- deserve to be treated with
respect. If people must be subjected to strip searches, these searches
should be done in privacy and in facilities such as police stations, jails
or hospitals.

We applaud Matlock for taking quick action to halt the practice except in
exceptional circumstances and with the oversight of supervisors.

When the department's new rules regarding strip searches are implemented,
they should be explained to the public, and not just to police officers.