Policy Text
Ref: CALEA
Standard 42.1.1 -4;
42.2.1 -3
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
M-4
Rev.
01 Dec 17
Index as:
Coordination of Criminal Investigations
Criminal Investigations
Follow -up Investigations
Preliminary Investigations
Page 1 o f 16
COORDINATION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy and procedures for the
conduct and coordination of criminal investigations to ensure that the investigative
process is timely and thorough.
Preliminary investigations are generally conducted by Patrol Division uniformed
members.
Follow -up investigations are normally conducted by members of the Criminal
Investigation Division (CID) , Patrol Division Area Investigation Units (AIU), Youth
Services Division (YSD), Vice/Narcotics Section (VNS) and/or any other investigative
unit(s) or task force(s) organized for that purpose.
The provisions of this order shall apply to all incidents ex cept traffic collisions, which
shall be reported and investigated in accordance with the provisions of Departmental
General Order J -2, TRAFFIC COLLISION MANAGEMENT, INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING.
I. COMMAND OF CRIME SCENE/RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
PRELIMINARY INVES TIGATIONS
A. Radio Accountability
All personnel at the scene of a crime shall remain accountable to the
Communications Division in accordance with Departmental General
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT M-4 Rev.
01 Dec 17
Page 2 of 16 Order I -5, COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL AND
COORDINATION . Personnel shall comply promptly with dispatched
orders unless specifically instructed otherwise by a Patrol Division
supervisor/command officer or a follow -up investigator at the scene, and
shall promptly report self -initiated status and location changes to the
Communications Division.
B. Assigned Officer (Preliminary Investigator)
Responsibility for conducting the preliminary investigation at the scene
of a crime and for completing the preliminary investigation reports
(arrest reports, offense reports, etc.) shall rest with the assigned o fficer
unless otherwise directed by a Patrol Division supervisor/command
officer or an investigator at the scene. In the absence of a supervisor or
command officer, the assigned officer shall be in command at the crime
scene.
C. District Sergeant
In the abs ence of a command officer, the Patrol Division district sergeant
at the scene shall be in charge and shall supervise the preliminary
investigation. The sergeant shall consult with investigators at the scene.
D. Investigator(s): AIU, CID, YSD, Vice/Narcotics, Other
1. Members of the appropriate investigative unit(s) whose primary
function is to conduct follow -up investigations shall be referred to
as investigators.
2. Investigators may be assigned to respond to a crime scene by:
a. Self-initiated response to the sce ne.
b. Communications Division assignment of an investigator
currently in the field.
c. A Patrol Division commander shall direct a call -out of a
standby team or may request an on call investigator to
respond in accordance with the provisions of BOI/BFO
Policy and Procedures.
A Patrol Division commander requiring the assignment of
investigators to a crime scene shall consult the appropriate
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT M-4 Rev.
01 Dec 17
Page 3 of 16 “call out” roster. The following investigative units/sections
shall maintain standby and/or on call rosters in accordance
with the provisions of current BOI/BFO Policy and
Procedures:
1) Homicide Section
2) Special Investigations Section
3) Youth Services Division
4) Area Investigation Units
5) Vice/Narcotics Section
d. An investigative unit commander who assigns an
investigator to a crime scene.
3. Investigators shall assume the following responsibilities, which
are listed in order of importance.
a. Ensure general police services are provided
b. Supervise the crime scene and the preliminary
investigation in the absence of a Patrol Division super visor
or command officer.
c. Expand the investigation and pursue investigative leads
that are beyond the scope of the preliminary investigator.
4. Follow -up investigators (other than primary), assisting in the
investigation, shall complete an Additional Inform ation Report
(536-937) regarding their actions at the crime scene.
Responsibility for completing the preliminary investigation and
for submitting the preliminary reports shall generally remain with
the preliminary investigator.
E. Ranking Officer at the Scen e of the Crime
1. The ranking supervisor or command officer shall assume
command at the scene of a crime and shall be briefed of the
circumstances of the incident by the preliminary investigator.
He/she shall be responsible for directing the activities and tasks of
Departmental personnel at the crime scene.
2. Tactical decisions shall be made by the ranking Patrol Division
member at the scene in accordance with the provisions of
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT M-4 Rev.
01 Dec 17
Page 4 of 16 Departmental General Order K -5, TACTICAL OPERATIONS
TEAM. Once the incident is und er control, the investigator shall
advise the ranking Patrol Division member regarding
investigatory needs, to ensure that the assigned officer(s)
completes a thorough preliminary investigation.
3. Investigators shall contact the ranking officer upon their arrival at
the scene. The investigator shall be briefed of the circumstances
of the incident.
a. If superior in rank to the ranking Patrol Division member
at the scene, the investigator shall clearly communicate
that he/she is assuming command and