The “Do Not Stop / Do Not Detain” (DNS/DND) status flag is a designation in police databases like the NCIC (National Crime Information Center), LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System), or local/regional law enforcement databases to notify law enforcement that an individual is not to be arrested or detained under specified conditions. It is sometimes referred to as “Do Not Arrest” (DNA) or “No Detain” (ND) status. It may be applied for various reasons, such as medical conditions, legal statuses (e.g. diplomatic immunity, presidential immunity, etc.), or special protective status due to risk factors or witness status.
Law enforcement agencies can add, update, or remove the status based on new information, legal changes, or the individual’s status changing. This prevents unauthorized arrests and ensures that officers do not accidentally arrest someone with a special legal or protective status.
In some cases, certain identification documents, like court orders (e.g. injunction in equity), legal documents, specialized travel permits, or badges (e.g. diplomatic passports or special legal status identification) may be used as a physical form of verification to alert law enforcement to their status.
The FBI NCIC Manual outlines how different flags are used and how to verify someone's status. Information regarding someone flagged with “DNS/DND” is sensitive and may not be disclosed to the public for privacy or security reasons. This protects individuals from being wrongfully detained based on their status.