Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE ACCREDITATION
Forged Document Reports None
PRIOR REVISIONS
PROPONENT UNIT 9/12/06
ATTACHMENT:
Criminal Investigations Division
None
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
40.34 04/03/2000 11/27/2019 2
I. PURPOSE: This procedure provides guidelines for reporting and conducting forged
document investigations.
II. POLICY: The Gainesville Police Department will effectively and expeditiously report and
investigate incidents involving forged documents. Members will ensure that required forms
and procedures developed for this purpose are utilized.
III. PROCEDURE: The following procedures have been developed to report and investigate
incidents involving forged documents.
A. Forgery Affidavit Form (GPD Form 228): A forgery affidavit should be signed by the
victim and included with the report. If a signed affidavit cannot be obtained at the time of
the report, this should be noted in the narrative.
B. Reporting Guidelines:
1. Officers/FST’s will complete an electronic incident report in Mobile Field Reporting, to
include all available information and a narrative. Records personnel will scan and
attach the forgery affidavit to the electronic report.
2. A separate Forged Document Report Form must be completed for each forged
document.
3. In-Progress Incidents: If a forgery and/or uttering a forged document is reported as
an “in-progress” offense, responding officers will be responsible for completing the
incident report and will collect all evidence and supportive documentation associated
with the offense.
4. Case Report Numbers: The same case report number may be used for multiple
forged document reports, regardless of dates and times, when the same set of
circumstances exists for each of the forged documents (i.e. same victim/business,
same account number, same suspect, etc.).
C. Investigation Guidelines:\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. Forged Document: Ensure that a clear, preferably color, photocopy of the front and
back of the forged document is collected and attached to the report.
i. The complainant will retain custody of the original forged document pending
further investigation and/or court action. Inform the complainant that failure to
maintain the original documents in their present condition may nullify any
possible prosecution.
ii. Exception: If an inked fingerprint has been placed on the forged document to
identify the person issuing the document or cashing the check, the original
document should be collected and placed into evidence.
2. Photographic Evidence of the Suspects:
i. Photographic Evidence is Available for Release: Collect and place into
evidence any videotape or photographs containing the suspects taken during the
forgery/uttering transaction or which identifies the suspects.
ii. Photographic Evidence is not available for Release: Some financial
institutions have a policy against releasing photographic evidence without a
subpoena. If this is the case;
a Note in the report that photographic evidence is available but will not be
released without a subpoena.
b Request that the evidence be held pending court disposition.
D. Officer/FST Documentation: The investigating officer/FST will need to complete an
incident report documenting the forgery.
E. Responsibility of the Criminal Investigation Bureau: Members of the Criminal
Investigation Division who have the responsibility of investigating forgeries will have the
additional duty to ensure that the appropriate financial institutions and businesses are
supplied with the Forged Document Report Forms and trained in their use.
________________________
By Order of
Signed Original on File in the
Accreditation Unit
__________________________
Tony R. Jones
Chief of Police
2