Policy Text
Policy
600Fremont Police Department
Investigation and Prosecution
600.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to set guidelines and requirements pertaining to the handling and
disposition of criminal investigations.
600.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Fremont Police Department to investigate crimes thoroughly and with due
diligence, and to evaluate and prepare criminal cases for appropriate clearance or submission to
a prosecutor.
600.3 INITIAL INVESTIGATION
600.3.1 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
An officer responsible for an initial investigation shall complete no less than the following:
(a)Make a preliminary determination of whether a crime has been committed by
completing, at a minimum:
1.An initial statement from any witnesses or complainants.
2.A cursory examination for evidence.
(b)If information indicates a crime has occurred, the officer shall:
1.Preserve the scene and any evidence as required to complete the initial and
follow-up investigation.
2.Determine if additional investigative resources (e.g., investigators or scene
processing) are necessary and request assistance as required.
3.If assistance is warranted, or if the incident is not routine, notify a supervisor or
the Watch Commander.
4.Make reasonable attempts to locate, identify and interview all available victims,
complainants, witnesses and suspects.
5.Collect any evidence.
6.Take any appropriate law enforcement action.
7.Complete and submit the appropriate reports and documentation.
(c)If the preliminary determination is that no crime occurred, determine what other action
may be necessary, what other resources may be available, and advise the informant
or complainant of this information.
600.3.2 CIVILIAN MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
A civilian member assigned to any preliminary investigation is responsible for all investigative
steps, except making any attempt to locate, contact or interview a suspect face-to-face or take
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any enforcement action. Should an initial investigation indicate that those steps are required, the
assistance of an officer shall be requested.
600.4 COMPLAINT HANDLING
Criminal complaints can be received through the communications center, online, through email, or
direct contact with an officer. When information is received on alleged criminal activity, including
vice, drug, or organized crime, it shall be documented, indicating the source, the activity, pertinent
dates and times, the name or employee number of the person receiving the information, and any
other pertinent information. Documentation may be by official police report, memorandum, or CAD
incident printout.
Reports shall be routed to the Investigation Unit Sergeant. The case may be assigned to a
detective for possible follow-up or routed to the appropriate jurisdiction. If the case or information is
routed to another agency or jurisdiction, such routing shall be documented in the report or incident.
The Investigation Unit Lieutenant shall notify the Chief of Police, via chain of command, of any
high-profile crime arrests or cases.
600.5 CASE STATUS CONTROL SYSTEM
Upon screening a potential case, the Criminal Investigations Unit Sergeant will decide which
investigator will be assigned the case and enter or update the case information in the automated
case management system. Minimally, the case management information should include:
(a)The Investigator's Name
(b)The Date Assigned
(c)The Case Number
(d)The Crime Offense
(e)Other Pertinent Information
600.5.1 ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGNATORS
All crimes investigated by the Fremont Police Department shall have administrative clearance
designations that meet the guidelines of the California Department of Justice. Authors of criminal
investigation reports shall use the most appropriate designation as to the explanation of clearance.
The clearance designations are:
•Case Active
•Cleared Arrest- Adult (Pending)
•Cleared Exception - Adult (Closed)
•Closed Judicial (Court / Prosecutor
•Cleared Arrest Juvenile (Pending)
•Cleared Exception - Juvenile (Closed)
•Closed Other
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•Reopened
•Suspended (Closed)
•Unassigned (Closed)
•Unfounded (Closed
600.5.2 INVESTIGATIONS CASE FILES
When a case is assigned to an Investigator, a temporary case file may be created and stored
within the control of the Investigator. This file may contain data and/or documents relevant to the
furtherance of the investigation. . Upon completion of the case or upon update of the original
record, the Investigator shall ensure that all relevant and/or discoverable information is transferred
from the temporary case file to the permanent record and/or the Property/Evidence Unit.
When the Investigator assigned to a case no longer needs the case file and all pertinent information
has been transferred to the permanent record, case notes and work product material may be
purged and shredded.
600.5.3 REPORT ACCESSIBILITY
The Records Management System (RMS) and ARS allow Department-wide viewing of most case
files. Personnel assigned to the Investigations Unit have immediate access to RMS and ARS via
their desktop or laptop computers 24 hours a day. The temporary case files are accessible only
to the Investigator or to personnel with a right to know or need to know. With the approval of a
supervisor, general access to the report may be restricted. Restricted access may limit the number
of personnel who can view the report, prohibit changes or