BAR CHECKS; CHECKS OF SEXUALLY-ORIENTED BUSINESSES

The Police Department may routinely conduct checks of a bar or sexually-oriented business to determine general compliance and provide police presence. To Conduct a Bar Check, two or more officers are required to be present and must be previously approved by a Sergeant or higher level. Bar checks are usually short in duration and scope.

Bars and sexually-oriented businesses may not be checked on a routine basis during time frames when experiencing large numbers of citizen calls for service. It is the dispatcher’s responsibility to advise officers and/or supervisors when the incoming call load is of sufficient magnitude to preclude a check of these businesses. The field supervisor must has final responsibility for determining the immediate need for a check and may so authorize if warranted.

Fort Worth Police Department personnel must be the only agency involved with any bar and/or sexually-oriented business check. No outside entities are allowed.

Checks of bars and sexually-oriented businesses must be documented by making a disposition on the officer’s call sheet prior to the end of the shift.

Before or upon entry into the premise, officers must make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner/manager of officers’ presence and explain that the premise will be checked. The owner/manager’s name and information must be included in the disposition.

The premise check must include liquor license violations, dance hall license violations if applicable, and all other applicable permit violations, persons who are intoxicated, and minors in possession of an alcoholic beverage.

Officers may not make warrant or identification checks without reasonable suspicion that the person has committed a crime or is committing a crime.

Premise checks must be concluded as quickly as possible and with the least amount of interference with the establishment as possible.

If during a premise check circumstances exist that would potentially escalate into a bar or sexually-oriented business inspection, the officer must immediately notify an on-duty supervisor who must make the scene. The supervisor must make a determination if an inspection is warranted and will notify a lieutenant for approval prior to an inspection occurring.