Three Golden Rules

Course Introduction 

1. Instructor introduction.

2. Explain the course objective.

3. Encourage attendees to ask questions and share feedback with other attendees.

4. Explain that certificates will be emailed after the class and each student will be registered in the Blue to Gold University.

5. Go over the three disclaimers:

• Laws and agency standard operating procedures may be more restrictive. Blue to Gold teaching the federal standard unless otherwise stated. Therefore, students must know their state and local requirements in addition to the federal standard.
• If students have any doubts about their actions, ask a supervisor or legal advisor.
• The course is not legal advice, but legal education. Therefore, nothing we teach should be interpreted as legal advice. Check with your agency’s legal advisor for legal advice.

Module One:  Fundamentals

1. Review of the Fourth Amendment

2. Fourth Amendment language, i.e. “unreasonable.”

3. C.R.E.W.

• Consent
• Recognized
• Exception
• Warrant

4. Examples of Recognized Exception

Module Two:  Golden Rule One

1. Articulation

2. Report writing

3. The Rule of Five

4. Articulate Conclusions

Module Three:  Golden Rule Two

1. Gravity of the offense for which the arrest is being made.

2. Justification of pointing a firearm.

3. What constitutes an arrest.

4. Handcuffs or not?

5. Unlawful v. Lawful entry.

6. Curtilage

Module Four:  Golden Rule Three

1. Warrantless searches

2. The home and the Fourth Amendment

Takeaways

• Articulate
• Consider gravity of crime
• Act as if you had a warrant