Jurisdiction
Purpose of This Document This manual is the authoritative guide for all San Andreas Border Patrol (SABP) officers and outlines the legal rights, responsibilities, and limitations of SABP officers while on active duty. It offers proper conduct, interagency cooperation, and legal insight operating in the concurrent jurisdiction of BCSO, SAST, and LSPD. Overview of SABP Authority SABP is an elite interagency team comprised of trained officers from Blaine County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) San Andreas State Troopers (SAST) Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) Border enforcement tasks such as patrols, inspections, and interdictions are allowed by SABP officers during work hours—only in defined zones. Officers must remain in SABP jurisdiction and abide by SOPS and Laws Primary Jurisdiction Fields:
-Perimeter Zones: Borderline areas northeast and north of the state, where there is unrestricted entry.
-Checkpoints: Fixed or mobile inspection points used for monitoring vehicle and cargo movement.
-Transit Routes: Backcountry roads, forest roads, and less-traveled roads routinely used for illicit transport.
-Freight Zones and Airfields: Regulation at state-owned installations such as Sandy Shores Airfield and Paleto shipping docks.
Shared Jurisdiction Areas: -Highways and Major Roads: Monitored together with SAST, especially during interdiction operations.
-Urban Corridors: Cooperation with LSPD in and around ports, freight terminals, and industrial entry points.
-Rural Town Borderlines: Mutual cooperation with BCSO near Grapeseed, Harmony, and neighboring townships.
When outside of primary areas, SABP must give way to the lead department in the area unless otherwise directed by a joint operation.
What Border Patrol Officers Can Do
✅ Authorized Powers and Actions:
🟢 Enforce Law Within Border Jurisdiction
Patrol rural state entry points, border trails, and perimeter checkpoints.
Scan transportation routes for suspicious behavior.
Maintain active surveillance in designated SABP zones.
🟢 Carry Out Mandatory Stops and Searches All traffic within SABP zones must be stopped and searched as part of standard security protocol. This includes:
Any vehicle or person passing through a checkpoint.
All individuals and vehicles regardless of suspicion level.
Randomized roving patrol stops within jurisdictional boundaries.
Standard search grounds include (but are not limited to):
Department-mandated protocol requiring all persons and vehicles be searched.
K9 unit alerts or checkpoint procedures.
Voluntary cooperation is not required, as searches are standard.
🟢 Detain Persons Temporarily Detain individuals during investigations into:
Transportation of illegal or restricted merchandise.
Attempted circumvention of SABP procedures or checkpoints.
Interference with or obstruction of border patrol operations.
🟢 Seize Contraband Seize clearly illegal or unauthorized items found during a standard or investigative search (e.g., unregistered firearms, counterfeit goods, narcotics).
🟢 Coordinate with Other Departments
Call in support and transfer jurisdiction to BCSO, SAST, or LSPD if outside SABP's direct authority.
Participate in joint task force operations when cleared or invited by command.
🟢 Use of Force (When Justified) Use reasonable force only in cases of:
Active resistance or aggression.
Imminent danger to officer or civilians.
Must comply with your department's use-of-force policy and escalation guidelines.
What Border Patrol Officers Cannot Do
❌ Prohibited Actions and Oversteps:
🔴 No Independent Authority in City Limits SABP officers may not act independently in Los Santos except in:
Active pursuit initiated from SABP jurisdiction.
LSPD-authorized joint operations.
🔴 No Unlawful Seizures or Excessive Force Even with mandatory searches, officers may not:
Use force to gain cooperation.
Harass or discriminate during stops.
Conduct seizures without proper cause or documentation.
🔴 No Unauthorized Raids or Property Entry SABP officers have no authority to:
Enter homes, sealed buildings, or private property without a DOJ-issued warrant or legal directive.
🔴 No Use of Deadly Force Without Imminent Threat Deadly force may only be used if:
The officer or others face an immediate threat of serious harm or death.
All other de-escalation methods are unavailable or ineffective.
🔴 No Off-Duty Enforcement Actions Off-duty SABP officers are not permitted to:
Use SABP authority, vehicles, uniforms, or equipment.
Engage in any enforcement outside of active duty and jurisdiction.
🔴 No Override of Other Agencies In collaborative situations:
BCSO holds command in county and rural zones (e.g., Sandy Shores, Grapeseed).
SAST commands state highways.
LSPD commands within city limits.
SABP yields authority unless otherwise ordered by high command.
Chain of Command & Reporting
SABP officers must follow full operational protocols and report directly to their Border Patrol Supervisors, who report to the Joint Command Board (BCSO, SAST, LSPD representatives).
Documentation Requirements:
All stops, searches (mandatory or investigative), and seizures must be fully documented.
Any use of force must be immediately reported.
Participation in joint operations must be cleared in advance or immediately following.
Summary
Statewide safety is upheld by SABP through rigorous enforcement and interagency coordination. Mandatory vehicle and personal searches are part of the standing procedure within all SABP checkpoints and patrol zones.
When uncertain: Halt action, contact your supervisor, and follow official procedure.
Misuse of SABP authority can result in:
Internal Affairs investigation
Temporary or permanent removal from SABP assignment
Disciplinary action by your primary department
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