Opinion ID: 2460196
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Liability of Stockton

Text: The Burns Estate contends that Trooper Stockton knew that Burns might cause harm to himself and the officer failed to exercise reasonable care to assure that such harm did not occur. They claim that Stockton breached his duty to Burns by failing to adequately search the accused before delivering him to the jail. Stockton responds claiming, first, that the Board of Claims has exclusive jurisdiction over this matter and, second, searching a prisoner is a discretionary function for which he has immunity. We first consider whether searching an individual taken into custody is a discretionary or ministerial act. In this case, the act of providing the care of individuals taken into custody does not involve policy making or significant judgment, rather it relates to the performance of routine duties which occur regularly and are required of all police officers. We agree with the circuit court that the searching of individuals taken into custody pursuant to state police policy is a ministerial function. We recognize that there may be some need of decisions on the part of the police officer in discharging his ministerial responsibility but it does not fit the common legal definition of discretionary. In 1986, the legislature extended sovereign immunity to state officers and employees acting within the scope of their duties. KRS 44.070 et seq. Prior to the enactment of the amendments to the Board of Claims Act in 1986, Kentucky law imposed individual liability on public officials for ministerial acts negligently performed in the course of duty. See Upchurch, supra . However, following the 1986 amendments to the Board of Claims Act, this Court held that parts of KRS 44.070 which extended immunity to certain employees may violate the constitution. University of Louisville v. O'Bannon, Ky., 770 S.W.2d 215 (1989). This case determined that the legislature cannot constitutionally extend sovereign immunity to state officers or employees who engage in activities outside the traditional role of government. However, a lawful search of an individual following an arrest can only be conducted by an agent of the government. As long as the police officer acts within the scope of the authority of office, the actions are those of the government and the officer is entitled to the same immunity and the only recourse available to claimants is through the Board of Claims.