SOP-33 Out of County Arrest WarrantPolice Services Division
SOP-33
January 4, 2021
SUBJECT: ARREST WARRANT SUSPECT IN CUSTODY OUT OF COUNTY
PURPOSE: To provide guidelines and considerations for determining what to do when
contacted by another county regarding a subject in custody on a Rohnert Park arrest warrant
whom the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department declines to transport back to Sonoma County.
CONSIDERATIONS TO BE USED
I. Amount of Time
Jails can only hold suspects on outside county warrants for up to 5 days before they have
to be transferred to the county the warrant is out of. How much time we have once we
are contacted to arrange the transportation will factor into the decision making.
II. Location of Suspect
Can an on duty PSO or two be sent to pick up the suspect and transport them to
Sonoma County Jail within a reasonable time frame? (i.e.; surrounding county)
Will personnel be needed that don’t impact Patrol or Fire staffing that can drive and
pick up the suspect and transport them back within the day?
Will we need to arrange accommodations for personnel to drive to the location, stay
the night, and then drive back the next day with the suspect while being able to
provide for the suspects needs during the transport?
The date and time of the pick-up under any of the above circumstances will need to be
arranged with the jail prior to our arrival.
III. Seriousness of Offense
Felony versus Misdemeanor warrant
Property Crime versus Crime against Person
Potential for additional threat to the victim or public if released
The case can be reviewed if necessary for a better understanding of the offense.
GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT SUSPECTS
I. When Dispatch is notified a subject is ready for pickup from another county on a Rohnert
Park warrant, Dispatch will notify the Patrol Lieutenants at the same time they notify via
fax the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Transportation Department.
II. If an on duty officer(s) can be sent to pick up the suspect and transport them back to
Sonoma County, then that should be the standard practice.
III. If additional time or resources will be needed to transport the suspect then the above
considerations should be used for making the determination. If it is not feasible or
reasonable to arrange the transport based on the above considerations, then the jail where
the suspect is in custody should be given the information to cite the suspect out on the
warrant.
IV. Contact a Lieutenant if there are any questions about how to handle a warrant suspect in
another county, or if additional resources and/or accommodations will be needed to do the
transport.