§ 22-2509 Detention and search of persons on premises.

When police show up to search a place with a search warrant, they are allowed to also briefly detain and search people who happen to be there at the time. This isn't automatic or unlimited, though. It only applies in two situations.

First, officers can detain and search someone if it's needed to protect themselves from being attacked. Second, they can do it if it's needed to stop someone from hiding or getting rid of the specific items listed in the search warrant.

In short, if you're present during a search, officers may pat you down or briefly hold you, but only for safety reasons or to keep you from destroying or hiding evidence connected to the warrant. This power is limited to those two purposes and isn't a blank check to search everyone in the building for any reason.