Opinion ID: 2225382
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: search of smith was government search

Text: Having concluded that a search took place, we turn next to whether the search was a government search. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and article I, § 7, of the Nebraska Constitution protect individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. [15] The constitutional protection against an unreasonable search and seizure proscribes only governmental action and is inapplicable to a search or seizure, even an unreasonable one, effected by a private individual not acting as an agent of the government or with the participation or knowledge of any governmental official. [16] But a search is subject to the constitutional safe-guard against an unreasonable search if the search is a joint endeavor involving a private person and a state or government official. [17] In determining what is a joint endeavor between a private person and a government official, it is not essential that the government official be involved in the endeavor at the very outset. [18] In fact, it is `immaterial' whether the government official originated the idea or joined in it while the search was in progress. [19] It is sufficient that the official `was in it before the object of the search was completely accomplished.' [20] The government may become party to a search through nothing more than tacit approval. [21] In this case, the State argues that the search was not a joint endeavor between South and the government. Essentially, the State asserts that Harper's actions were a matter of preserving the peace, not a participation in the search of Smith. The facts lead us to conclude otherwise. The question whether a search is a private search or a government search is one that must be answered taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances. [22] On the record before us, it is clear that the search of Smith was a joint endeavor involving a private person and a state or governmental official. First, we conclude that Harper, although off duty at the time, was acting as a governmental official in his capacity as a police officer. A police officer on off-duty status is obligated to preserve the public peace and to protect the lives and property of the public in general. [23] Police officers are considered to be under a duty to respond as police officers 24 hours a day. [24] It has been widely held, based both on common law and statute, that a police officer is not relieved of his or her obligation to preserve the peace while off duty. [25] In Nebraska, it has long been the case that a police officer may provide security to a commercial establishment while off duty and make arrests or take other authoritative action in connection therewith. [26] At the time of the search, Harper was in full police uniform and was carrying a firearm. Although Harper was off duty and employed by the Club, he was acting in his official capacity as a police officer, not as a private citizen. And the search was a joint endeavor between Harper and South. After South started the pat-down search of Smith and attempted to reach into Smith's pocket, Harper directed his attention to the pat down and reminded Smith to keep his hands in the air. Harper also testified that he reached out his arm and placed his wrist under Smith's arm in order to keep Smith's arm raised. Harper placed his wrist under Smith's arm before South inserted his hand into Smith's pocket. Harper was clearly involved in the search before the object of the search was completely accomplished. It is without question that Harper's involvementby directing Smith to hold his hands up and by placing his arm underneath Smith's wrist to prevent him from interfering with Southwas more than tacit approval. Taking all of these circumstances into account, we conclude that Smith established that the search meets the test for a government search. The totality of the facts shows that Harper and South were engaged in a joint endeavor.