A-0200 Guidelines for Witness Interviews - Major Case Investigations.pdf

Kern County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division TITLE: Guidelines for Witness Interviews - Major Case Investigations NO: A-200 APPROVED: Commander Raul Murillo EFFECTIVE: 05/15/2008 REVIEWED: 03/24/2023 REVISED: 12/18/2019 UPDATED: 03/24/2023 A-200-1 POLICY Deputies conducting follow-up investigations at a major crime scene such as a homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and Officer Involved Shootings, are asked to use discretion when they anticipate transporting “witnesses” to a Sheriff’s facility for a statement. A “witness” is not mandated by law to give a statement or otherwise cooperate with law enforcement. They are not required to accompany an officer to a Sheriff’s facility for a statement. To coerce, bluff, threaten or force a witness to accompany an officer to a Sheriff’s facility may be ruled an illegal detention/arrest and will result in disciplinary action.