GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: FOREIGN DIPLOMATS & CONSULARS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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FOREIGN DIPLOMATS & CONSULARS
412.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines to ensure that members of the Lincoln Police Department extend appropriate privileges and immunities to foreign diplomatic and consular representatives in accordance with international law.
412.2 POLICY
The Lincoln Police Department respects international laws related to the special privileges and immunities afforded foreign diplomatic and consular representatives assigned to the United States.
All foreign diplomatic and consular representatives shall be treated with respect and courtesy, regardless of any privileges or immunities afforded them.
412.3 CLAIMS OF IMMUNITY
If a member comes into contact with a person where law enforcement action may be warranted and the person claims diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities, the member should, without delay:
(a) Notify a supervisor.
(b) Advise the person that his/her claim will be investigated and he/she may be released in accordance with the law upon confirmation of the person’s status.
(c) Request the person’s identification card, either issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), Office of the Chief of Protocol or, in the case of persons accredited to the United Nations, by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. These are the only reliable documents for purposes of determining privileges and immunities.
(d) Contact the DOS Diplomatic Security Command Center at 571–345–3146 or toll-free at 866–217–2089, or at another current telephone number, and inform the center of the circumstances.
(e) Verify the immunity status with DOS and follow any instructions regarding further detention, arrest, prosecution and/or release, as indicated by the DOS representative. This may require immediate release, even if a crime has been committed.
Identity or immunity status should not be presumed from the type of license plates displayed on a vehicle. If there is a question as to the status or the legitimate possession of a Diplomat or Consul license plate, a query should be run via the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), designating "US" as the state.
412.4 ENFORCEMENT ACTION
If the DOS is not immediately available for consultation regarding law enforcement action, members shall be aware of the following:
(a) Generally, all persons with diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities may be issued a citation or notice to appear. However, the person may not be compelled to sign the citation.
(b) All persons, even those with a valid privilege or immunity, may be reasonably restrained in exigent circumstances for purposes of self-defense, public safety or the prevention of serious criminal acts.
(c) An impaired foreign diplomatic or consular representative may be prevented from driving a vehicle, even if the person may not be arrested due to privileges and immunities.
Investigations, including the request for field sobriety tests, chemical tests and any other tests regarding impaired driving, may proceed but they shall not be compelled.
(d) The following persons may not be detained or arrested, and any property or vehicle owned by these persons may not be searched or seized:
Diplomatic-level staff of missions to international organizations and recognized family members
Diplomatic agents and recognized family members
Members of administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission and recognized family members
Career consular officers, unless the person is the subject of a felony warrant
(e) The following persons may generally be detained and arrested:
International organization staff; however, some senior officers are entitled to the same treatment as diplomatic agents
Support staff of missions to international organizations
Diplomatic service staff and consular employees; however, special bilateral agreements may exclude employees of certain foreign countries
Honorary consular officers
412.5 DOCUMENTATION
All contacts with persons who have claimed privileges and immunities afforded foreign diplomatic and consular representatives should be thoroughly documented and the related reports forwarded to DOS.
412.6 DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY
Reference table on diplomatic immunity:
Category
Arrested or Detained
Enter Residence Subject to Ordinary Procedures
Issued Traffic Citation
Subpoenaed as Witness
Prosecuted
Recognized Family Members
Diplomatic Agent
No(note (b))
No
Yes
No
No
Same as sponsor (full immunity & inviolability)
Member of Admin and Tech Staff
No(note (b))
No
Yes
No
No
Same as sponsor (full immunity & inviolability)
Service Staff
Yes(note (a))
Yes
Yes
Yes
No for official actsYes otherwise(note (a))
No immunity or inviolability(note (a))
Career Consul Officer
Yes if for a felony and pursuant to a warrant(note (a))
Yes(note (d))
Yes
No for official actsTestimony may not be compelled in any case
No for official actsYes otherwise(note (a))
No immunity or inviolability
Honorable Consul
Yes
Yes
Yes
No for official actsYes otherwise
No for official actsYes otherwise
No immunity or inviolability
Consulate Employees
Yes(note (a))
Yes
Yes
No for official actsYes otherwise
No for official actsYes otherwise(note (a))
No immunity or inviolability(note (a))
Int'l Org Staff
(note (b))
Yes(note (c))
Yes(note (c))
Yes
Yes(note (c))
No for official actsYes otherwise(note (c))
No immunity or inviolability
Diplomatic-Level Staffof Missionsto Int'l Org
No(note (b))
No
Yes
No
No
Same as sponsor (full immunity and inviolability)
Support Staff of Missions to Int'l Orgs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No for official actsYes otherwise
No immunity or inviolability
Notes for diplomatic immunity table:
(a) This table represents general rules. The employees of certain foreign countries may enjoy higher levels of privileges and immunities on the basis of special bilateral agreements.
(b) Reasonable constraints, however, may be applied in emergency circumstances involving self-defense, public safety or the prevention of serious criminal acts.
(c) A small number of senior officers are entitled to be treated identically to diplomatic agents.
(d) Note that consul residences are sometimes located within the official consular premises. In such cases, only the official office space is protected from police entry.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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