Capt. William J. Hogan of the Boston Police Academy outlines the five bases for the officer's right to arrest including seeing the commission of a felony and having a reasonable suspicion that a felony has been committed; the constitutional basis for the citizen's right of protection against unreasonable search and seizure; and the conditions for conducting a search (i.e., a search must be made after, incidental to, and contemporaneous to the arrest). Reasons for exceptions to these searches are also given: to prevent harm to the officer, to preserve evidence, and to detect the suspect's means of escape. The proper objects of a search are also discussed including contraband, instrumentalities used for commission of a crime, and the fruits of a crime such as stolen goods. The seizure of evidence both related and unrelated to the crime is also covered in the film. A panel of three police officers conducts the feedback portion of the film which covers such topics as laws both within Massachusetts and in the 6-State New England area, the right of citizens to make arrests, and the use of the search warrant.