Greensboro is considering a policy that would require police have written consent before conducting a search. | Adobe Stock
Greensboro is considering a policy that would require police have written consent before conducting a search. | Adobe Stock
The Greensboro City Council is scheduled to vote on requiring the Police Department to receive written permission before a consent search, drawing opposition from the Greensboro Police Officers Association.
The association and council have clashed about statements at meetings and letters as they both push for what they believe is the city's best interest, the Rhino Times reported on Sept. 3.
The vote is anticipated to take place at the Sept. 15 meeting.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn
| Courtesy Photo
The association's attorney, Amiel Rossabi, sent a second letter on Sept. 1 to Mayor Nancy Vaughan and council members about three points of contention the mayor had with an original letter Rhino Times reported.
Two of the main issues revolved around a vote and hiring of the police chief, the Rhino Times reported. While the mayor said about the police chief did not occur during the meeting, Rossabi claimed a vote referenced by a council member on a proposal. On the police chief issue, Rossabi indicates while the city manager hires the chief, it is done with council input.
The Rhino Times reported Rossabi wrote in the letter, "that hire has never happened without the extensive involvement and approval of the City Council."
In pleading its case, the association has looked at several other police departments to see what has happened when they have begun to get written consent. The Rhino Times reported there were eight exhibits provided with the letter backing up the association's stance on the subject. One thing it discovered was searches decreased when written consent was required.
The Greensboro Department turned in one of its own exhibits detailing four real-life examples of searches for the mayor's and council's consideration. Three of those searches were based off a traffic stop. A subsequent search by consent resulted in the discovery of a handgun.
One consent search came during a search warrant being conducted. The individual arrived at the scene and gave consent to a search during which a handgun was discovered in the vehicle, the Rhino Times reported. The association made it clear while it is opposed to the written permission on consent searches, Police Chief Brian James has proposed with its support conducting searches with body cameras.
Alerts Sign-up