While performing police tasks, police officers may carry out a SECURITY SEARCH of persons, their possessions and transport means if there is reason to believe that the person in question might attack someone or harm himself/herself. The police officer will establish if the person is armed or carries other dangerous objects on his/her person. The police officer will perform a security search following each apprehension of the specified person. The security search is performed directly or with the aid of technical instruments.

When directly performing a security search, the police officer will examine by tapping down the individual's clothes using his/her hands, gloves, hair coverings and hair and examine the shoes. As a rule the search is performed by a police officer of the same sex, except when a security search cannot be postponed. If items or substances are found which the apprehended person could use for an attack or to harm himself/herself, the police officer will confiscate and examine such items and substances. The police officer will also examine other items which the apprehended person has with him/her to establish whether the person has any concealed weapons or other dangerous objects.

The police officer may also perform a security search of objects and transport means in close proximity or accessible to the person subject to a security search. When carrying out a security search on a vehicle, the police officer examines the interior of the vehicle, trunk and other luggage spaces and fittings. He/She can utilise technical aids or police service dogs when searching for explosives or other dangerous substances.

If the police officer discovers a weapon or another dangerous object during the security search, the object in question is seized. If during the security search the police officer finds an object which must be seized in accordance with the law governing criminal procedure, the law governing minor offences or on the basis of another law, the police officer will follow the procedure prescribed by these regulations.

The police officer may use coercive measures against a person opposing a security search.

Similar police powers are also defined in other laws (e.g. examination of transport means, passengers and luggage on the basis of the law governing criminal procedure, etc.).