Posted on Jan 18, 2019
Can the gate security search your personal belongings during a random POV inspection?
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So at the gate for a random vehicle inspection. Blue vests ransack the car like we did something and the only CLOSED backpack on the back begins to be searched. The driver of the vehicle asks woah hey can he search my personal belongings, aren’t their procedures.. the blue vest got defensive and was like I didn’t touch your back (clearly he did) and if you have a problem you can file a complaint and if you lie I will take you to civil court (as if it’s that serious) the guy was like okay... he then tried to defend himself and said the backpack was open and that he had the right to search it anyways (the back pack was closed zipped) he said okay... the blue vest said he was sending up a statement to idk who he said but my questions are.... 1.) can they in fact touch your personal belongings and not have to go around them to search the open compartments they tel you to open... 2.) who did he send the statement up to and why didn’t the driver get to write a statement if there was one and what happens next.. asking for a friend cuz he doesn’t have rallypoint.
Posted in these groups: 
Military Police Officer (MP)
Gate Guard
Military Police Officer (MP) Gate Guard
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 21
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The sign at the gates say restricted area, all persons and property subject to search, or words very close to that effect. The driver was lucky they didn't get drawn for the random cavity search.
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So did said individual observe a sign similar to this one as they attempted to enter the installation gate? The answer is, Yes they can in fact inspect your vehicle and any personal belongings. No, a warrant is not required as your attempt to enter the base is legally considered consent for search. You have the right to refuse. They have the right to refuse entry if you do. Maybe the guard was being a jerk; maybe s/he was tired of dealing with whinny brats who think rules don't apply to them. I don't know the answer to that one but bottom line, ANYONE attempting to enter a restricted area (such as a military installation) is subject to search of their vehicle and belongings. I personally don't care if they do as I don't have anything I'm trying to hide.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
That is true, normally innocent people do not complain. Plus, it happens to everyone going through and you can see it happening to others. Everyone knows this happens on base, and our citizens should expect we protect our bases.
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Trunks are closed, my personal belongings are in the trunk. They sure do and can search trunks. Not sure why your friend thought they could not search a backpack on a military base? Wait until you go overseas...be prepared for more searches. Be thankful for those searches anywhere. It keeps you safe.
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CSM Thomas McGarry
Agree! Forget about "probable cause" also if you are ever stopped by Police authorities in Germany, they need non and when I was there seem to enjoy stopping USEUR POVs which they could ID at that time by the license plate.
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Yes, there are procedures. The procedure is, if you enter a military installation you, your person, your friends, your car, their car, their bags, your bags, and anything else you present at the gate are subject to search and or seizure.
After 9/11 rules at the gates changed. They continued to evolve as time went on. When I worked the gates at Redstone Arsenal we could not search civilians. But as we continued to find loaded magazines, rifles, pistols and clips in cars (hunting season and hey we live in Alabama) the rules evolved more to the point that we were allowed to search personal property including briefcases and backpacks which at the beginning we were not allowed to, to protect ourselves.
The statement is more than likely a CYA statement that states he may or may not have opened or closed personal property and the subject of the inspection either complained or commented about the inspection. My unit and another unit who went through Force Protection at Fort Rucker trained most of the civilians at the gates who finally took over for us. Changes continue. Many of the procedures we perfected have since changed.
As many of the responses stated you and anyone with you is subject to search and seizure. I would make sure your friends are compliant when they are presented at the gates.
Good luck.
After 9/11 rules at the gates changed. They continued to evolve as time went on. When I worked the gates at Redstone Arsenal we could not search civilians. But as we continued to find loaded magazines, rifles, pistols and clips in cars (hunting season and hey we live in Alabama) the rules evolved more to the point that we were allowed to search personal property including briefcases and backpacks which at the beginning we were not allowed to, to protect ourselves.
The statement is more than likely a CYA statement that states he may or may not have opened or closed personal property and the subject of the inspection either complained or commented about the inspection. My unit and another unit who went through Force Protection at Fort Rucker trained most of the civilians at the gates who finally took over for us. Changes continue. Many of the procedures we perfected have since changed.
As many of the responses stated you and anyone with you is subject to search and seizure. I would make sure your friends are compliant when they are presented at the gates.
Good luck.
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SPC (Join to see)
No nothing was in the bag lol in general it was a question not a full blown refusal or anything like that. The blue vest gate guard is the one that made it into a bigger situation than it really had to be. But he kept contradicting himself in defense
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The minute you attempt to enter a military installation, you are consenting to having everything and anything searched. It is clear as day written at the entrance to the installation - the term "Containers" encompasses built in or carry/hand held containers - they can even search your pockets, electronic devices, and you personally, if they deem necessary. No probable cause needed.
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SPC (Join to see)
Well idk if you read the other threads where I stated the only sign we have at our gate is 100% ID check. That’s the only sign, I’ve looked. And wouldn’t them deeming it necessary be the probable cause? I don’t know any base that will go to that extent on a random vehicle unless they saw something suspicious therefore leading to the probable cause to do so. They don’t just right off the spot say turn off the vehicle license and registration about all doors including trunk and cab and any inside glove box and empty your pockets and give me your phone lol.
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SSG Robert Perrotto
yes - they actually do. You may not have experienced it yet, but they actually do. random checks is par for the course when entering a military installation, and searching everything, to include utilizing Dogs, happens. As for the sign at your gate, if it is not present, inform the MP's or whatever security force operates the gate security, but that is not necessary if the garrison Commander so orders searches.
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SPC (Join to see)
I’ve stated on the earlier posts ours doesn’t have that even at our main gate lol maybe it’s on a small sign that is off in a corner somewhere but the only sign they have is “ 100% id check”
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SFC Brian Gillum
SPC (Join to see) Ok! Well, I guess that is possible. Regardless, when entering any government installation where there is a gate that requires ID, it is a general rule to believe that you and your personal belongings are subject to search, and that denial will at best only end up in your not being allowed access to such installation, and detainment, and a request for a warrant to search (if needed, as rights to privacy are somewhat curtailed on military bases) will be made.
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SPC (Join to see)
Agreed!! This subject wasn’t pertaining to me more of a question for scenario SFC Brian Gillum
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CSM Richard StCyr
SPC (Join to see) - If by some absolute failure of everyone in the COC, security force, and the G2, the warning sign is actually missing; you should notify the Garrison CSM or DES SGM. Guarantee there will be a sign within a couple hours. Contrary to popular opinion that sort of thing beats police call and grass length enforcement and will get their attention.
Those two will also be on the cc line for the report that the guard sent up.
Those two will also be on the cc line for the report that the guard sent up.
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SPC (Join to see)
That says us airforce installation, and I already checked there are no signs outside our main gate other than a sign that says 100% id check
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