What action must an officer take before conducting a consent search?

• A. Obtain written authorization
• B. Read the Consent to Search Card
• C. Collect evidence of prior consent
• D. Provide legal counsel to the subject

Answer: (B)

The correct action an officer must take before conducting a consent search is to read the Consent to Search Card. This action is essential because it ensures that the individual giving consent is fully informed about their rights, including the right to refuse consent and the implications of granting it. Reading the card helps to establish that the consent given is voluntary and knowledgeable, which is crucial for the legality of the search. It also serves to protect the officer by documenting the interaction and reinforcing the individual's understanding of the situation.

Obtaining written authorization can be useful in certain legal contexts but is not universally required for a consent search. Similarly, collecting evidence of prior consent is not necessary since the focus is on the current circumstances of the search. Providing legal counsel to the subject, while important in other aspects of law enforcement, is not a prerequisite for conducting a consent search. Thus, reading the Consent to Search Card is the most appropriate and critical action in this scenario.