BAKERSFIELD POLICE ESTABLISH STRIP SEARCH POLICY

In response to media attention over a complaint filed against the
Bakersfield Police Department, officials have issued a new, temporary
policy regarding strip searches of subjects in the field.

The department is conducting research to develop a permanent policy. They
plan to start keeping records on how often the procedure is done.

Police Chief Eric Matlock issued a memo to all sworn officers of the police
department, notifying them of the change on Friday.

"Even though police management may not agree with some of the allegations
made in this case, the BPD does recognize the need to set down a policy on
the procedure," Matlock said.

"The department is conducting research to ensure the policy conforms with
the legal opinions and case law that cover this procedure," he said.

Two men, 20-year-old Tony Eddington and 25-year-old Robert Johnson, both of
Bakersfield, filed a complaint alleging that an officer strip-searched them
in the back of a Bakersfield Police Department police cruiser during a
traffic stop on the night of March 23.

Although one was on parole and the other on probation, the men believe the
strip search was illegal and unreasonable.

According to the memo, officers on the street will have to contact and
obtain verbal permission from a supervisor to conduct a strip search in the
field for contraband, except for weapons, which could be a danger to the
officers.

When conducting strip searches, officers must consider the well-being of
the suspect, the level of exposure to the public, and the necessity of
searching in the field as opposed to a secure location.