A Mabert Road woman called 911 after accusing someone inside her home of using drugs and demanding that officers search the guest before kicking her out.
When police arrived, the woman accused of using drugs was already preparing to leave. The resident insisted officers search both the woman and her belongings. But officers explained they couldn’t legally conduct a search without the woman’s consent, a warrant, or clear probable cause.
Once that was made clear, the resident told police she no longer needed their help. Officers stayed on scene until someone arrived to pick up the woman and her clothing.
When Can Police Search Someone?
Residents sometimes assume officers can search anyone, anytime — but the law doesn’t work that way. Police generally need one of the following:
- Consent: The person agrees to be searched.
- Probable Cause: Officers have specific, articulable reasons to believe a crime has been committed and evidence is present.
- A Warrant: A judge signs off on a legal order allowing a search.
- Exigent Circumstances: An immediate emergency, like danger to life or destruction of evidence, justifies a search.
Without one of those conditions, police are not legally allowed to search people or their belongings — even if a homeowner demands it.
This call is a reminder that officers aren’t just peacekeepers — they’re also bound by the Constitution. In this case, deputies balanced the resident’s concerns with the suspect’s rights, ensuring the situation ended without further conflict.
