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Forms and Documents/Pat Down Search

 

Pat Down Search

Clubs may impose pat down searches on each patron entering the club; this may also include female patrons.  However, it is not recommended to pat down females due to the fact that Bouncers are usually of the male gender.  A pat down search should not be done with the opposite sex, but of the same sex if the patron is a female.  However, females may be exempted from pat down searches but may be required to open their handbags.  Bouncers are allowed only to visually search the handbag and should not put their hands inside.  Shining a flashlight inside the larger handbags or when there is minimum light will help you see inside the handbag a much better.

Pat down searches reduces the possibility of certain illegal items called contraband from entering the club.  The most common types of contraband are drugs.  Other items that may be concealed are weapons such as guns and knifes. These items should not be brought into the club.  The patron should return them to their car.  Then when they return, a thorough pat down should be conducted once again.

A search is nothing more than a quick check to see if a patron is concealing a weapon or illegal contraband.  Here are the basic procedures for conducting a pat down search:

1. Stand behind the patron

2. Run your hands over the outside of the clothing

3. Pat those areas where a weapon or contraband might be concealed

4. Have the patron remove anything that feels like a weapon or contraband

Never attempt to remove any items from the patron’s person.  Instruct them to do so.  The illustration below indicates some of the places where a patron might conceal items.  The search should be conducted quickly.



As patrons are told to turn around and put their hands up, some of them before doing so will take items out of their pockets and hold them in their hand.  This is okay, but you should ask to see the items that they removed from their pockets before you conduct the search.

Other areas that should not be left out of the search are the small of the back and the front waistband area.  Important as they are these areas are often overlooked even by the more experienced Bouncers, along with hats and jackets, which should also be searched completely.  Noticed the boxes that are drawn on the figure above, they indicate the areas that must be checked and checked carefully.