Course detail: Search and Seizure in the 21st Century

Search warrants are a vital tool in law enforcement officers' quest to uncover criminal activity and the perpetrators thereof. A search warrant can provide officers with the legal authority to search residences and places of business, obtain samples of DNA or bodily fluids for examination, and records from businesses such as cellular telephone companies and social media companies. Because of the intrusive nature of these and other similar searches, the law demands that officers present courts with sufficient information before courts will authorize the issuance of a search warrant. This course will teach participants the legal requirements that must be satisfied before a search warrant can be issued and how they can satisfy these requirements with their application and supporting affidavit. In addition to search warrants for homes, businesses, and multi-unit residences, attention will also be given to obtaining records from cellular service providers and social media companies. 

Core Competencies: 
  • Participants will employ best practices as they investigate any crime from its beginning to its eventual disposition, either as an individual or as part of an investigatory team.

Course Objectives:
  • Draft the search warrant application. 
  • Draft the supporting affidavit/preparing to give testimony in support of a search warrant application.
  • Draft search warrants in specific situations, including search warrants for the body of a defendant, including bodily fluids to be found therein: Electronic communication records, such as e-mail records, cellular phone records, and text message records, Social media records (Facebook, Snapchat, etc.), Other electronically-stored records, such as Sony or Microsoft records, and GPS tracking devices.
  • Draft search warrants for information/records/evidence held by out-of-state and out-of-country entities.
  • Describe the differences between writing a report or narrative and writing an affidavit.
  • List the legal requirements necessary to obtain a search warrant.
  • Articulate probable cause to a court in writing.
  • Understand the need to "describe with particularity" the place to be searched and the evidence sought, and demonstrate how to do this. 
  • Organize information in an affidavit regarding completed or ongoing investigations.

Instructional Methods: 
  • Lecture
  • Guided discussions
  • Written and Critiqued Exercises

Who Should Attend:

  • Sworn Police Officers
  • Volunteer Law Enforcement Auxiliary Members
  • Investigators
  • Others responsible for assisting in the investigation of criminal activity

 Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in an event, please email KLETC  or call 620.694.1400  at least three weeks before the first day of the event. Some events may require notice earlier than three weeks and require you to contact a specific individual; if so, that information is provided in the event-specific information.


Notice of Availability of the KLETC Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

The University of Kansas has determined that the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) main campus in Hutchinson and its regional sites in Dodge City, Hays, and Parsons are separate campuses. This determination was made in consultation with the Department of Education. The report is available online t: https://civilrights.ku.edu/clery.

The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; the procedures the institution will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred On-Campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-Campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the institution or a recognized student organization; and on Public Property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

 A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 785-864-6414 or emailing civilrights@ku.edu or arrange for pick-up at a KLETC location.

 Session Information: LE26162Z

Schedule: Every day, starting on 03/04/26 and ending on 03/04/26
Times: 09:00am-04:00pm CST

Bulletin

To participate in KLETC Zoom trainings, you must have a computer with a working camera and microphone, as well as a strong internet connection.

Instructors

Name Additional Resources
Kevin Salzman

Facility Detail

Zoom Facilitated Sessions
Meets live online
Online, WEB OTHER

Cancellation Policy

A refund less a $25.00 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations made in writing prior to 10 days before the start of the event. After that time, no refunds will be made.