Policy Text
Page 1 of 39 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
HOMICIDE SECTION
Level 1 Investigations
Policy & Procedure 19 -01
Revised 16 December 2021
Criminal Investigation Division Policy and Procedure 19- 01 Effective Date: 21 Dec 21
Homicide Section Level -1 Use of Force Incidents Procedures
Page 2 of 39 Table of Contents
Preface .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Applicability ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Definition ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
SECTION I ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
DUTI ES & RESPONSIBILITIES AT LEVEL 1 INCIDENTS ............................................................... 8
On-Duty Watch Commander or Initial Incident Commander ............................................................... 8
The Bureau of Investigations Deputy Chief ........................................................................................ 10
Criminal Investigation Division Commander ....................................................................................... 11
Homicide Section Commander ........................................................................................................... 11
CID Level 1 Investigators ..................................................................................................................... 12
Police Evidence Technicians ................................................................................................................ 14
Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 16
General Considerations for Level 1 Interviews ....................................................................................... 16
Deciding Who is Interviewed .............................................................................................................. 16
Type of Interview for OPD Materially Involved Members .................................................................. 17
Type of Interview for Witness Members ............................................................................................ 17
Location of Interviews and Persons Allowed to be Present ............................................................... 17
Interview Sequence ............................................................................................................................ 18
Delaying OPD Materially Involved Member Interviews ...................................................................... 18
Interview Protocols and Considerations ................................................................................................. 19
Interview Questions and Plan ............................................................................................................. 19
Introductions, Administration, and Order of Questioning ................................................................. 19
Post -Interview Considerations ................................................................................................................ 20
Information to Provide the Member .................................................................................................. 20
Administrative Leave .......................................................................................................................... 20
Follow -Up Interviews .......................................................................................................................... 21
SECTION III – FOLLOW- UP INVESTIGATION ................................................................................................ 22
Investigation Basics ................................................................................................................................. 22
Mission ................................................................................................................................................ 22
Criminal Investigation Division Policy and Procedure 19- 01 Effective Date: 21 Dec 21
Homicide Section Level -1 Use of Force Incidents Procedures
Page 3 of 39 Standard of Review ............................................................................................................................. 22
Transparency and Family Member Outreach ..................................................................................... 22
Investigation Timelines and Briefings ..................................................................................................... 22
Timelines ............................................................................................................................................. 22
72-Hour Briefing .................................................................................................................................. 22
30-Day Briefing .................................................................................................................................... 23
Ongoing Briefings ................................................................................................................................ 23
Final Briefing ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Evidentiary Considerations ..................................................................................................................... 23
Expected Evidence .............................................................................................................................. 23
Case File Manage ment ............................................................................................................................ 24
Chain of Review ...................................................................................................................................... 24
SECTION IV – MEDIA ................................................................................................................................... 26
Initial Information Releases .................................................................................................................... 26
Appendix A – Key Investigative Points for Uses of Force ............................................................................ 27
Appendix B – Investigative Checklist for Level 1 Use of Force Interviews .................................................. 29
Information Pertaining to the Officer ..................................................................................................... 29
Information on the Officer’s Condition ................................................................................................... 29
The Officer’s Uniform .............................................................................................................................. 30
The Officer’s Vehicle ............................................................................................................................... 30
The Officer’ s Weapon ............................................................................................................................. 30
Officer’s Communications ....................................................................................................................... 31
Scene Conditions ..................................................................................................................................... 31
Information to Seek in Interview regarding an OIS ................................................................................ 31
Ending the interview ............................................................................................................................... 33
Appendix C – Level 1 Pursuit Interviews ..................................................................................................... 34
Key Investigative Points for Pursuits ....................................................................................................... 34
Questions to Consider Regarding an Officer Involved Pursuit – Injury or Death Interview ................... 34
Information Pertaining to the Officer ................................................................................................. 34
Information on the Officer’s Condition ............................................................................................... 35
The Officer’s Uniform .......................................................................................................................... 35
The Officer’s Vehicle ........................................................................................................................... 35
Criminal Investigation Division Policy and Procedure 19- 01 Effective Date: 21 Dec 21
Homicide Section Level -1 Use of Force Incidents Procedures
Page 4 of 39 Officer’s Communication .................................................................................................................... 36
Scene Conditions ................................................................................................................................. 36
Questions covering the Pursuit Incident ................................................................................................. 36
The Pursuit Travels into Oakland From Another Jurisdiction ............................................................. 38
Termination of the Pursuit .................................................................................................................. 38
Ending the interview ............................................................................................................................... 39
Criminal Investigation Division Policy and Procedure 19- 01 Effective Date: 21 Dec 21
Homicide Section Level -1 Use of Force Incidents Procedures
Page 5 of 39 Preface
The Oakland Police Department values the protection and sanctity of human life. The Level 1
Investigation Team is committed to thorough, unbiased, equitable, transparent, and comprehensive criminal investigations into Level 1 incidents. The Department will work collaborati vely with prosecutorial agencies and, as much as is possible, the Internal Affairs
Division and the City of Oakland’s Community Police Review Agency.
The Department is responsible for ensuring the investigative processes used during our investigations are ever evolving, utilizing best practices.