49972

Date: 09/30/85 Revision: 02/05/21 Reviewed: 05/22/24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: DPS 449.00 Page : 1 of 2 SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF PATROL SERVICES ; CLEARANCE OF OFFENSES I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the uniform clearance of offenses investigated by the Sheriff's Office. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all personnel of the Depa rtment of Patrol Services. III. DISCUSSION : It is important that procedures be established that will assist with case management and control. Case clearance is also an indicator of individual perfor mance and can assist in the evaluation of personnel. This method of case clearance is an internal procedure to assist in case management and shall not interfere with the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) guidelines of clearance. IV. PROCED URE : A. Cleared by Arrest: 1. An offense shall be cle ared by arrest when at least one person is arrested and charged . 2. The offense shall be cleared by arrest regardless of whether an adult or juvenile is charged. 3. Several crimes may be cleared by one arrest. 4. Multiple arrests for the same incident may clear only one crime. B. Exceptionally Cleared: 1. Cases may be exceptionally cleared if there is some reason beyond the control of law enforcement that prevents the arrest and charge of an offender , such as: a. Death of the offender. b. State Attorney 's Office (SAO) declines prosecution . c. The victim refuses to cooperate with the investigation (waiver of prosecution) . d. Extradition is declined. e. Juvenile/No custody (JAAP) . f. APAD/ Civil Citatio n. C. Unfounded: 1. An offense shall be unfounded if the investigation reveals a crime was not committed . 2. If a case can be merged into another investigation based on NIBRS rules. D. No Further Leads (NFL) - An investigation shall be designated as NFL under the following circumstances : 1. All investig ative leads have been exhausted. DPS 449.00 05/03 /21 Page 2 of 2 2. All sources of information have been exhausted. E. Inactive: 1. A case is inactive when all investigative leads have been exhausted. F. Direct File/Pending SA O: 1. The originating deputy or lead d etective shall be assigned a 60 -day follow -up and will periodically check the SAO Case Management database for updates to determine the proper clearance: “Clear ed by Arrest,” “Cleared by Exception ,” or “Inactive.” If additional time is needed, follow -ups may be assigned in 60 -day increments. G. Refer to Other Agency: 1. If the crime occurred outside of Hillsborough County, the offense title should be changed to “Assist other Agency.” H. Request for Prosecution: 1. The originating deputy or lead detective shall be assigned a 60 -day follow -up and will periodically check the SAO Case Management database for updates to determine the proper clearance: “Clear ed by Arrest,” “Cleared by Exception ,” or “Inactive.” If additional time is needed, follow -ups may be assigned in 60-day increments. I. Warrant Issued: 1. If the case is cleared by the issuance of a warrant, the originating deputy or lead detective shall be assigned a 60 -day follow -up and will periodically che ck to see if the warrant has been executed. If additional time is needed and all leads for locating the suspect have been exhausted, additional follow -ups may be assigned up to 180 days at a time. 2. After the warrant has been served, the status will be upda ted to “Cleared by Arrest” regardless of the jurisd iction making the arrest. Michael Hannaford , Colonel Department of Patrol Services Amends or Supersedes: ENF 449.00