CRIM INV OPER 13.2A
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS
GENERAL ORDER: 13.2A
EFFECTIVE: April 1, 2000
RESCINDS: REVISES G.O. 13.2
ACCREDITATION
STANDARDS: CFA 18.06, 18.07, 18.08, 18.09, 18.10, 18.11, 18.12
PAGES: 5
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT
II. INTERVIEW PROCEDURES
III. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS
IV. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS
V. FIELD INTERVIEW REPORTS
VI. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS
VII. CVSA PROCEDURES
VIII. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To provide policy, general procedures, and guidelines for conducting criminal investigations.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all Police Department members.
DISCUSSION:
Investigations begin upon the first notification that a crime may have been committed and end
when the case is solved and the perpetrator is arrested, prosecuted, or the case has been otherwise resolved. It is
of critical importance that each aspect of the investigative process is conducted properly, and that each member
participating in the investigation understands their responsibilities and the parameters under which they must
operate.
POLICY:
Police Department members will apply proactive investigative methods when possible, and
investigate reported crimes to the extent necessary to support prosecution or otherwise resolve the case.
PROCEDURE:
I. INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT:
Officers should not overlook the importance of sources of
information in the investigative process. Sources may include information from witnesses, victims, informants,
criminals, concerned citizens, or other persons. Additional sources may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
\[CFA 18.06 A\]
A.
Computer research and report review for information contained in records, or contained in computer
storage facilities.
G.O. 13.2A
B.
Tax collector, property appraiser, and utility company records.
C.
Pawn shops and other business entities.
D.
The Detective Division, Code Enforcement Division, or Patrol Division.
E.
Criminal history and driver license information.
F.
Records such as bank and credit card statements (by subpoena if necessary).
II. INTERVIEW PROCEDURES:
A. Witnesses:
Interviews of witnesses should be conducted at a location that provides reasonable comfort
for the involved parties.
1.
The investigator should note, in the appropriate reports, the condition of a witness at the time of the
interview.
2.
The investigator should consider the differences in individual perceptions when evaluating the value of
eyewitness statements.
3.
Witness statements should be obtained in writing, and tape or video recorded, whenever possible.
4.
Reluctant witnesses may be subpoenaed for an interview by the State Attorney’s Office, when
necessary.
B. Suspects:
Interviews with suspects will be conducted in accordance with established state and federal
law. No attempt will be made to obtain confessions or statements by force, coercion, threat, or promise. The
investigating officer will adhere to the following guidelines:
\[CFA 18.06 b; 18.11\]
1.
Suspects will not be subjected to unusually long interview periods.
2.
Suspects will not be denied necessities such as water, food, or use of toilet facilities.
3.
Suspects will not be subjected to inhumane conditions.
4.
Suspects will not be subjected to physical abuse or the threat thereof.
C. Processing Suspect Statements:
Whenever possible, suspect statements should be tape-recorded, video
recorded, and/or in writing. The processing of the statements will be accomplished in one of the following
manners:
1. Tape-recorded Statements (Audio or Video):
a. The original tape will be placed into evidence.
b. A copy of the tape may be made and maintained by the investigating officer.
2. Handwritten Statements:
a. When the statement is handwritten by a suspect or defendant, the time and date the statement was
completed will be noted thereon.
b. The statement will be signed by the suspect and witnessed by the officer.
c. Each page of a statement will be read and initialed by the interviewer.
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G.O. 13.2A
d. Copies of the statement will be made and included in the case file.
e. The original document is evidence and will be submitted to the Property Evidence Unit as such.
III. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS:
The preliminary investigation begins when the first officer arrives
at the incident scene. The responsibilities of that officer include, but are not limited to, the following:
A.
Protect life
B.
Render aid
C.
Secure and maintain the crime scene
\[CFA 18.07 C\]
D.
Secure and protect evidence
\[CFA 18.06 C\]
E.
Conduct a preliminary investigation that will include:
1.
Observe all conditions, events and remarks, and record them in an Offense/Incident Report.
\[CFA 18.07 A\]
2.
Interview the complainant and ensure that witnesses are located and interviewed. Include written and/or
taped statements when appropriate.
\[CFA 18.07 D\]
3.
Ensure that evidence is properly protected, collected, preserved, and/or processed.
\[CFA 18.07 F\]
4.
Locate and interview suspect(s), if possible.
\[CFA 18.07 E\]
5.
Arrest perpetrator(s), if probable cause is established.
\[CFA 18.07 G\]
6.
Search for and recover property removed or taken by the perpetrator.
7.
Submit physical evidence to the Property Evidence Unit or Detective.
\[CFA 18.06 C; 18.07 F\]
8.
Report the incident accurately and document all information obtained in the designated format on an
Offense/Incident Report.
\[CFA 18.07 H\]
IV. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS:
A.
Officers are encouraged to follow-up on preliminary investigations for the purpose of case closure, arrest,
and the recovery of property, when practical. The original investigating officer is responsible for conducting
follow-up investigations unless a supervisor assigns the case to another officer or to a detective.
B.
While there exists no specific formula for the investigation of every crime, general procedures should be
followed to ensure a thorough inquiry. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.
Review and analyze all previous reports prepared during the preliminary investigation.
\[CFA 18.08 A\]
2.
Review all agency records that may be pertinent to the case.
\[CFA 18.08 C\]
3.
Review the results of any laboratory examination.
\[CFA 18.08 E\]
4.
Solicit information from other investigators, uniformed officers, and informants, who are familiar with
the area and the principals involved.
\[CFA 18.08 D\]
5.
Conduct additional interviews and interrogations, as necessary. This will include a second contact with
the complainant to acquire additional information that may have been obtained since the original
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G.O. 13.2A
reporting. The second contact may be by telephone, written correspondence, or in person, and the contact
will be recorded in the case file as a supplement report.
\[CFA 18.08 B\]
6.
Arrange for the dissemination of information that may assist in the case.
\[CFA 18.08 F\]
7.
Conduct surveillance activities.
8.
Obtain search/arrest warrants.
9.
Plan, organize, and conduct searches.
\[CFA 18.08 G\]
10.
Collect any physical evidence that may have been overlooked during the preliminary investigation.
\[CFA 18.08 K\]
11.
Determine the suspect’s criminal history.
\[CFA 18.08 M\]
12.
Determine the suspect’s involvement in other crimes.
\[CFA 18.08 L\]
13.
Identify and apprehend suspects.
\[CFA 18.08 J\]
14.
Prepare the case for court presentation.
\[CFA 18.08 H\]
15.
Assist in prosecution.
\[CFA 18.08 I\]
V. FIELD INTERVIEW REPORTS:
As part of their normal duties, law enforcement officers investigate
circumstances that arouse reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or cause alarm. When persons are detained
under these circumstances, the stop will be conducted in accordance with Florida statutes and constitutional law.
Field interviews will be documented on FIR cards.
\[CFA 18.12 A, B\]
A.
During a field interview, officers may photograph individuals who do not object.
1.
When a photograph is taken, it will be noted on the Field Interview Report.
\[CFA 18.12 B\]
2.
The subject’s name, date of birth, and the case number will be written on the back of the photograph.
3.
The photograph will be attached to the FIR card and forwarded to the Detective Division.
B.
When an individual being interviewed is unwilling to produce some form of identification, the officer
should attempt to solicit a voluntary right thumb print, which should be affixed to the back of the FIR card.
C.
FIR cards will be submitted at the end of the shift. The report will be purged in accordance with the State
of Florida, General Records Schedule.
\[CFA 18.12 C, D\]
VI. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS:
The following procedures will be utilized when conducting
background investigations:
\[CFA 18.06 A\]
A.
The purpose of the investigation will be identified.
B.
All information obtained, as the result of a background investigation will be incorporated into a report.
The information will be available on a need-to-know basis. A request for review of background files will be
made through the Records Unit.
\[CFA 18.07 H\]
C.
Information obtained from background investigations should be used to reveal physical or circumstantial
evidence, reveal witnesses or other individuals connected with a crime, or to provide information that may be
utilized in subsequent investigations.
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G.O. 13.2A
D.
Background investigation records will be retained and purged in accordance with state regulations.
VII. CVSA Procedures:
When the CVSA is to be used for investigative purposes, it will be considered an
investigative tool and not be substituted for a thorough investigation. All CVSA examinations will be a-
dministered by certified CVSA examiners.
A.
The investigator is responsible for scheduling arrangements and reviewing the case file with the
examiner before the examination. The investigator must remain available to the examiner during the
examination to answer questions and document confessions. If the examination results indicate deception,
the investigator will conduct additional interviews, as necessary.
VIII. GLOSSARY:
REASONABLE SUSPICION - More than a hunch and must be based on articulative circumstance, but is less
than the probable cause necessary to effect an arrest.
CVSA - Technical aid in the detection of deception.
INDEXING:
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS
DETECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS
INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT
INTERVIEWS
INVESTIGATIONS
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS
DRAFTED:
RLG/March 5, 2000\\Filed: Cidops13.2A
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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