Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
INVESTIGATIONS
GENERAL ORDER: 08.09 CREATED: July 23, 2021 ISSUE DATE: December 17, 2025
CALEA STANDARD: 42.1.3, 42.2.1
NCLEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2026
ACTION: Amends general order dated September 4, 2023 .
08.09.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish procedures to ensure the effective and
efficient investigation of criminal activity and related incidents.
08.09.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to conduct investigations into
complaints of criminal activity to the maximum extent feasible, in order to resolve
complaints and present offenders for prosecution as directed by other elements of the
criminal justice system. The preliminary inquiry into complaints of criminal activity shall
generally determine how and what decisions shall be made concerning the continuat ion
or termination of an investigation. All officers assigned to perform field duties, including
both uniformed and investigative units, shall have a general responsibility for conducting
criminal investigations in accordance with prevailing law and the provisions of this general
order.
08.09.2 DEFINITIONS
A. FOLLOW -UP INVESTIGATION
An extension of a preliminary investigation in which the purpose is to gain additional
information in order to close a case, arrest an offender, and/or recover stolen
property.
B. PATROL CRIME SCENE (PCS)
Specific officers that are responsible for responding to and securing crime scenes
during routine patrol duties. This officer typically plays a key role in the initial
stages of a criminal investigation by ensuring that a crime scene is preserved and
prope rly documented.
C. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
The activity that begins when an officer arrives at the scene of an incident, and
continues until such time as the investigation is transferred to another officer for
follow -up, or until the incident is closed i f no follow -up is needed.
08.09.3 PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS
A. The first officer on the scene, unless otherwise directed by a supervisor, shall be
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responsible for conducting the preliminary investigation and completing the initial
report. The first officer shall:
1. Observe all conditions, events, and remarks;
2. Locate and identify witnesses;
3. Maintain and protect the crime scene and evidence.
a. The officer assigned to the crime scene is responsible for the protection,
documentation, preservation, and all other needs pertaining to both the
scene and physical evidence unless otherwise directed by a supervisor or
relieved by other investigative coworkers. If a PCS officer or Forensic
Unit coworker is needed to process the crime scene, the guidelines below
shall be followed.
b. If a PCS officer or Forensic Unit coworker is not available to respond or
on duty then the investigating officer should contact their supervisor to
determine if the investigating officer may process the crime scene or if
other resource s should be contacted to complete the scene processing.
4. Interview and/or obtain written statements from the complainant, victim(s),
and witness(es). Interviews shall be conducted as outlined in G eneral Order
08.04 Interviews / Interview Rooms.
5. Interview and/or obtain written statements from the suspect if such statements
can be obtained without jeopardizing the outcome of the investigation. Prior to
mirandizing any suspect, the officer should confirm that the investigation is not
being assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. If the suspect asserts
their 5th Amendment rights, this shall be documented in the narrative of the
Incident/Investigation Report or Supplemental Report. Interviews shall be
conducted as outlined in General Order 08 .04 Interviews/Interview Rooms.
6. Arrange for the collection of evidence;
7. Effect an arrest, if possible;
8. Report the incident fully and accurately.
08.09.4 CRIME SCENE PROCESSING
A. The processing of crime scenes and the collection of evidence shall be available on
a 24-hour basis. Such processing may normally be conducted by Forensic Unit
coworkers or PCS officers. The crime scene processing function includes:
1. Photography and/or videography;
2. Developing, recovering, classifying and identifying fingerprints;
3. Diagramming, sketching or digital rendering of the scene;
4. Evidence searches, preservation, collection, processing, and submission of
evidence to crime laboratories for examination /analysis.
B. When it is determined that the Forensic Unit is needed to process a scene,
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notification shall be made as soon as practicable. When necessary, the Forensic
Unit shall provide instructions on how patrol officers are to proceed until the arri val
of a Forensic Unit coworker. The Forensic Unit shall be notified regarding:
1. Deaths of a suspicious nature;
2. Assaults in which there is a probability of death;
3. Robberies of financial institutions;
4. Home invasion robberies involving unkno wn suspects;
5. Arson resulting in significant property damage or personal injury;
6. Bombings or explosive incidents;
7. Rapes and sexual assaults involving physical evidence that needs collection
(except from a medical facility) ;
C. Any other serious crime that the on -scene supervisor or watch commander believes
would benefit from more advanced crime scene processing.
D. The on -duty supervisor