CADETS CANADA SEARCH POLICY

By the Cadets Around the World Page

1. Aims. The aims of this policy are to:

a. Ensure the safety of all persons attending cadet activities, by ensuring no contraband material is brought
into or held at cadet camps;

b. Ensure the human rights and Charter rights of all persons, and particularly all young people attending
cadet activities are protected, by placing guidelines around searches deemed necessary to ensure
safety; and

c. Ensure compliance with the Statement of Defence Ethics, by ensuring respect for the dignity of all
persons attending cadet camps, and ensuring that lawful authority, and particularly the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, is appropriately obeyed and upheld.

2. Search without a Warrant. Two types of search without a warrant at a cadet summer camp are authorized.
They are:

a. Entry Search: a search of cadets possessions by hand, and a search of cadets with a metal detecting
wand, on entry to cadet camp.

b. Hygiene Search: a search of cadets locker and bunk space to ensure hygiene in that space.


3. Warrantless Entry Search. Cadets will be kit searched on entry to cadet camp. They will also be scanned with a
metal detecting wand. The following rules apply to an entry search:

a. Cadets will be searched only by an adult member of the Canadian Armed Forces, of a gender of their
choosing. Special arrangements may be made for cadets of non-traditional genders.

b. Two officers will be present in the room or space where cadets belongings are searched.

c. Cadet belongings will be searched in private, away from other cadets, but always in the direct line of
sight of the cadet being searched.

d. Cadets will be advised that the search is voluntary in language that is appropriate to the age, level of
understanding, and sophistication of the cadet. They will further be informed that they may withdraw
consent to the search at any time, but that they may not be allowed on the camp and may be Returned-
to-Unit if consent is withdrawn.

e. Materials that are to be confiscated by camp staff will be clearly identified in the camp joining
instructions.

f. Materials that are confiscated, other than illegal items, will be inventoried and the cadet will be given a
receipt for the items, which will be returned in the same condition at the end of camp.

g. Cadets will have the ability to grieve seizure of an item if they believe it was confiscated in error, first to
their direct supervisory officer, and then to the camp Commanding Officer. Reasonableness will be the
factor in the determination of a temporary seizure. Only items which pose a legitimate and specific
safety risk may be seized and held.

h. To ensure that no dangerous weapons are carried on the person of a cadet, cadets will be passed with a
metal detecting wand.

i. To ensure cadet safety, an entry search will be conducted every time a cadet comes on to a cadet camp,
from temporary exits or leave.

j. Package mail received by a cadet shall be treated as entering the camp, and shall be searched in the
cadets presence in accordance with this policy.


4. Warrantless Hygiene Search. Cadet lockers and bunk areas may be searched to ensure good hygiene practices
in communal living spaces. The following rules apply to a hygiene search:

a. Cadets will receive a minimum of 24 hours notice before a hygiene search occurs, unless a more urgent
hygienic issue is identified and the notice period is ordered shortened by the camp Commanding Officer.
The decision to shorten the notice period may only be designated to a person who is appointed to the
acting role of camp Commanding Officer.

b. Hygiene searches will be conducted under the supervision of the camp Nursing Officer, and the Nursing
Officer will be present for the search. If no Nursing Officer is assigned to the camp, the search shall be
conducted under the supervision of the Commanding Officer or Deputy Commanding Officer.

c. Cadet locker spaces will be searched only by an adult member of the Canadian Armed Forces, of a
gender of the cadets choosing. Special arrangements may be made for cadets of non-traditional
genders.

d. Two officers will be present in the room or space where cadets lockers are searched.

e. Cadets will be present when their possessions are searched.

f. The search will be minimally intrusive and shall cease when it is determined that no hygienic issues are
present.

g. Any hygienic issues discovered will be identified to the camp Nursing Officer or Deputy Commanding
Officer for direction.

5. Warrant Searches. On credible sworn evidence that a cadet has or is likely to have contraband materials which
are illegal, illegally in the cadets possession, or pose a risk to camp safety, a camp Commanding Officer may
issue a warrant to search a specific space, a specific item or device, and/or a specific individual. The following
rules apply to a warrant search:

a. The search shall normally be carried out by a member of the Military or civilian Police. If a member of
the Military or civilian Police is unavailable, the search shall be carried out by a Senior Officer with the
assistance of another member of the Canadian Forces.

b. The search shall be limited to the spaces and persons mentioned in the Warrant.

c. Normally, the camp Commanding Officer will contact AJAG for advice before issuing a Warrant unless
there is a pressing concern necessitating immediate action.

6. Warrant Prohibitions. The following actions are categorically prohibited without a warrant:

a. Searching a cadets cellular telephone, computer, tablet, or accessing any other electronic media held by
a cadet, including during an entry search.

b. Searching, beyond a cursory search, a cadets journals, notes, books, or diaries, including during an entry
search.

c. Strip or pat-down searching a cadet, except when incidental to arrest.

d. Entering a cadets locker or storage space, other than for a hygiene inspection as described above.



7. General Prohibitions. The following actions are prohibited:

a. Allowing youth to search other youth.

b. Searches which are disrespectful, degrading, humiliating, or carried out without due regard for the
privacy of the person being searched.


8. Variations. Camp specific variations to this policy are not authorized, unless approved in writing by the Director
of Cadets.