Palpation and search of persons, control of personal effects, inspection of a vehicle
Verified 09 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
On what occasion can a security check be carried out? Personal searches, security pat-downs, personal effects checks and vehicle inspections may occur in several contexts (e.g. identity checks, police custody, access to a ERP: titleContent or a big event). The applicable rules differ depending on the circumstances justifying such measures. We present you the information to know.
Safety palpation is an external search, above clothing, for objects dangerous to the person who holds them or to others (example: a cutter).
A security pat-down may occur in several settings.
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In the context of police custody
Only persons held in police custody for committing or attempting to commit a crime crime or a offense may be subjected to a safety palpation.
It is also necessary that:
- The offense for which the person is placed custody just took place
- Or the person in custody has been found in possession of an object or has traces (clues) that suggest that he or she participated in the commission of a crime or offense.
This palpation may take place without the agreement from the police custody.
It must be carried out by a police or gendarmerie officer of the same sex as the person subjected to a pat-down.
During an identity check
During a identity check, a police or gendarmerie officer may conduct a security pat-down when it appears necessary to ensure the safety of the officer or another person.
When circumstances permit, the safety pat-down should be performed away from the public eye.
At an event of more than 300 people
A person who wishes to access a place in which a event of more than 300 people (example: sporting or cultural event) may be subjected to a safety palpation.
This palpation can take 2 forms:
- Tapping above clothes
- Or an inspection using a body scanner.
It is carried out by a member of the organization of the event approved by the CNAPS: titleContent, under the control of a judicial police officer (OPJ).
Please note
When a municipal police officer is assigned by the mayor of the commune, he can also carry out a security pat-down.
The authority in charge of palpation must be of the same sex as the controlled person.
The express agreement of the person is mandatory.
However, if the person does not want to submit to a security pat down, access to the event may be denied.
In the event of a threat to public security
In case of special circumstances related to serious threats to public security (e.g. in case of a terrorist threat), the following officers may conduct a security pat-down:
- Police and gendarmerie officers
- Security guards of the SNCF: titleContent
- Security guards of the RATP: titleContent
- Municipal police officer assigned by the mayor of the commune.
The prefect of the department (or the prefect of police in Paris) notes by order these particular circumstances. The order shall be communicated to the prosecutor of the geographically competent Republic.
The prefect sets the duration and determines the places or categories of places in which the checks can be made (for example, a shopping center).
The express agreement of the person is mandatory.
If the person accepts the palpation, it must be done by a person of the same sex.
If the person does not wish to submit to the pat-down, access to the perimeter set by the prefect may be refused.
FYI
Since March 30, 2026However, the security agents of the SNCF and the RATP can carry out security pat-downs, even in the absence of a prefectural order.
The security pat-downs carried out by an SNCF or RATP agent may take place at stations, stations, stops and transport vehicles.
In order to conduct these pat-downs, the officer must justify the fact that there are several elements to suggest that the person being pat-downed has an object that is dangerous to the safety of persons.
Please note
If a infringement it has been established that these agents may also intervene in immediate approaches stations, stations, etc.
The express agreement of the person is mandatory.
If the person accepts the palpation, it must be done by a person of the same sex.
If the person does not wish to submit to the pat-down, access to the perimeter set by the prefect may be refused.
Inside or at the entrance to a prison
A person (other than an inmate) who wishes to enter a penitentiary or who is in the prison may be subject to a security pat-down.
This palpation can only take place if there are serious reasons to believe that this person is about to commit a infringement with the aim of harming the security of the prison (e.g. possession of drugs).
This security pat-down is carried out by a staff of the prison administration appointed by the head of the prison.
This type of palpation can take place without the consent of the person undergoing it.
However, it must be carried out by an officer of the same sex as the person who is the subject of it.
Full Search
The full excavation, also called body search, is intended to search for objects or clues which make it possible to prove that a person has infringement.
This search involves a complete undressing. However, there must be no physical contact between the person responsible for this type of control and the person being searched.
Full searches may occur during or after a police investigation incarceration of the person.
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During an investigation
The full search is possible in 3 situations:
- When a person is placed in custody, because she is suspected of having committed or attempted to commit an offense crime or a flagrant offense
- As part of a preliminary investigation
- On rogatory commission.
FYI
When the search is conducted in the context of a preliminary inquiry or a letter rogatory, it is considered as a kind of search. The agreement of the person searched is therefore mandatory.
A full search must be essential to the investigation.
It is possible only if the safety palpation or the electronic detection means are not sufficient.
The search is carried out by a judicial police officer (OPJ) of the same sex as the person searched, in a closed and withdrawn room.
If the person refuses the search, the OPJ must notify the public prosecutor or the investigating judge.
During incarceration
When a person is incarcerated, he or she may be subjected to a full search in one of the following situations:
- After a walk, a walk or a workshop outing
- When the inmate is released from prison without supervision by a prison officer (for example, during a temporary absence or a medical appointment)
- If there are any indications that he committed a infringement
- When the inmate's behavior suggests that there is a risk to the safety of persons or the maintenance of prison order (for example, when dangerous or prohibited products enter the prison)
- In case of risk of escape.
Please note
The head of the prison may also order a full search and systematic of a detained person for 3 months. His decision must be justified by public policy requirements or by constraints linked to the prison system.
The full search is carried out by a prison supervisor of the same sex than the person being searched.
It takes place only if the search by palpation or the use of electronic detection means is insufficient.
Each full search shall be indicated in writing in a list available to the head of the prison.
Search in the body
General case
The search of a person's body is possible only as part of a custody, after one crime or a flagrante delicto.
It is used when a person in police custody is suspected of transporting or concealing prohibited objects or substances (e.g. mobile phone, drugs) inside his body (vagina, rectum, etc.).
Only a doctor can conduct a search inside the person's body.
Customs control
A customs officer may decide to search the body of a person suspected of transporting narcotic products.
The search is carried out by a doctor.
The person's agreement is necessary.
If the person refuses, the officer must ask the judge for permission to conduct the examination.
The judge must then appoint a doctor.
If the person refuses to submit to the medical examination decided by the judge, a penalty of 1 year in prison and €3,750 a fine is provided for.
Visual inspection and search in a public place
In a public place, visual inspections and searches may be organized.
However, the applicable rules depend on the context in which these procedures are envisaged.
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General case
Security guards approved by the Commission for the approval and control of CNAPS: titleContent, the security officers of the SNCF: titleContent and those of the RATP: titleContent may carry out visual inspection and baggage search.
In order to conduct a search, they must obtain the consent of the baggage owner.
If the owner refuses, the agent can ask him to leave his luggage at the entrance of the place open to the public. He then calls on a geographically competent police or gendarmerie officer.
Please note
During a pat-down or search, SNCF or RATP agents who find that the owner of the baggage holds a dangerous object (other than a weapon) may keep it if the owner consents. If they find an offense (e.g. street selling), they may take his goods from him for confiscation by the competent court.
Event of more than 300 people
During a event with more than 300 people, a private security officer of the CNAPS: titleContent, under the control of a judicial police officer (OPJ), may carry out a visual inspection and/or a baggage search.
Please note
If a municipal police officer is assigned by the mayor of the municipality, he may also carry out a visual inspection and/or a baggage search.
The search must be conducted by an officer of the same sex as the baggage owner. It can only take place if the owner gave his consent.
However, if the owner does not consent to the search, access to the event may be denied.
Terrorist threat
During an event or in places that could be targeted by an act of terrorism, visual inspections or baggage searches may be organized.
These procedures shall take place within a geographical area defined by prefectural decree.
They are carried out by a judicial police officer or a judicial police officer.
Please note
If a municipal police officer is assigned by the mayor of the commune, he may also carry out such an inspection or search.
The baggage search cannot take place without consent of its owner.
However, if he refuses the search, access to the place or event is prohibited.
It is immediately taken outside the perimeter set by the prefectural decree.
Finding an offense
The public prosecutor may identify places (e.g. public transport) where visual inspections and baggage searches may take place in order to investigate and prosecute any of the following offenses:
- Acts of terrorism
- Carrying or transporting a weapon without authorization
- Carrying or transporting explosive materials
- Theft
- Recel
- Drug trafficking.
In this context, the judicial police officer (OPJ) may visually inspect or search baggage, for 24 hours. This period is renewable once, for the same period.
Visual inspection or search of baggage must be conducted in the presence of the baggage owner. It may be detained for the duration of the inspection or search.
In the event of the discovery of an offense or if the baggage owner so requests, the OPJ shall draw up a report indicating the place, date and time of the start and end of the visual inspection or search.
A copy of the minutes shall be given to the owner and another copy shall be sent to the public prosecutor.
Visual inspection and search in schools
The head of the school may carry out (or have carried out) a visual inspection of a pupil's bag if he has found a violation of the school's rules.
To carry out this inspection, the head of the establishment must have obtained the student's agreement.
When authorized by the public prosecutor, a judicial police officer (OPJ) can search students' bags, for 24 hours. This period is renewable once, for the same period.
This measure may be taken in particular for the investigation and prosecution of certain offenses such as:
- Carrying or transporting a weapon without authorization
- Theft
- Drug trafficking.
During the search, the student must be present.
If an offense is discovered or if the student so requests, the OPJ shall draw up a report indicating the place, date and time of the start and end of the visual inspection or search.
A copy of the report is given to the owner and another copy is sent to the public prosecutor.
Visual inspection and search at work
The opening of an employee's locker may be carried out only in the cases provided for by the company's.
The employee must have been informed of this opening.
The search of an employee's personal belongings may take place for reasons of collective security (e.g. risk of attack) or for reasons related to the search for stolen items.
The employee must have been notified in advance and given his/her consent.
It may require the presence of a witness.
For example, a staff representative.
If the employee refuses, the employer can call a judicial police officer (OPJ) to search his personal belongings.
Visual inspection and search by an SNCF or RATP agent
The agents of the internal security services of the SNCF and the RATP may carry out visual inspection of the luggage and, with the consent of their owner, their search.
During these checks, if these officers find that the baggage owner has a dangerous object (other than a weapon), they can keep it if the owner consents. In this case, SNCF or RATP agents must give him a receipt.
Within 2 days of the delivery of this receipt, the object must be made available to its owner or one of his relatives, in a place to which he can access by public transport.
Please note
Confiscation of an object may only take place at railway stations, stations, stops and transport vehicles.
Search aboard a boat
For access to a boat and on board, a visual inspection of the luggage may be carried out and, with the agreement of the owner, their search.
In general, the search of a vehicle traveling or parked on public roads can take place in several contexts (for example, in the event of a terrorist threat).
When the vehicle is used as a dwelling for its owner, this search is considered as a search.
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General case
The conditions under which a search of a vehicle may take place differ depending on the circumstances justifying such action.
In each context, specific rules apply.
During an identity check | In the event of a risk of breach of public order | In the event of a risk of terrorism | In the event of customs fraud | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Conditions for conducting a search | Possibility to search a vehicle when there are indications that its owner has committed a crime or a flagrant offense | Possibility to search a vehicle in case of risk of harm to the security of persons and property (example: risk of destruction of property, violence during a demonstration) | Possibility of searching a vehicle whose owner wishes to enter a place for which the prefect (or the prefect of police of Paris) has set a perimeter of protection due to a risk of terrorist act | Possibility of searching a vehicle, especially where there are indications that the driver has committed customs fraud (e.g. smuggling of goods) |
Competent authority | Judicial Police Officer and, under its control, judicial police officer | Judicial police officer and, under his control, judicial police officer | Judicial police officer and, under his responsibility, judicial police officer | Customs Officer |
Owner's agreement | Not required | Mandatory (unless instructed by public prosecutor) | Mandatory. However, in case of refusal, access to the perimeter is prohibited. | Not required. However, in the event of refusal, customs agents may use any means to immovable the vehicle |
Duration of the search | The time strictly necessary for the search | 30 minutes during which the driver remains present | The time required for the search | The time strictly necessary for the search |
Vehicle used as a dwelling
The search of a residential vehicle (e.g. a caravan) must be carried out as part of the search by one judicial police officer (OPJ) in the presence of the owner (or, if he is not present, one of his relatives or 2 witnesses).
It may thus take place:
- In case of flagrante delicto, without the owner's consent
- During a preliminary investigation, with his written consent
- With a rogatory commission, with his written consent.
FYI
If the owner is the subject of a preliminary investigation for one crime or a offense punished by more than 5 years' imprisonment (example: murder, violence), Judge of Liberties and Detention (JLD) and the public prosecutor may authorize a search of the vehicle without the owner's consent.
The search of the residential vehicle cannot begin before 6 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
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To obtain information about security checks by a CNAPS agent
Territorial Delegation of the National Council for Private Security Activities (Cnaps)For general information on security controls
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
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The informants who answer you belong to the Department of Justice.
Body search during the investigation (articles 63-6 to 64)
Body search in detention
Security palpation and baggage search
Safety palpation (Article 434-16)
Security pat-down near a prison
Control of personal effects in the event of a terrorist threat
Security palpation and control of personal effects by a municipal officer
Vehicle search
Search of goods, vehicles and persons by customs officers
Port Security
Freedom of the employee
Palpation, search and control of personal effects by SNCF and RATP agents
Definition of full search
Control of personal effects in schools
Service Public
Service Public
Service Public
Service Public
National Council for Private Security Activities (CNAPS)
Ministry for the Environment