295040

Policy 600Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentInvestigation and Prosecution - 1Investigation and Prosecution 600.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to set guidelines and requirements pertaining to the handling and disposition of criminal investigations. 600.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Santa Monica Police Department to investigate crimes thoroughly and with due diligence, and to evaluate and prepare criminal cases for appropriate clearance or submission to a prosecutor. 600.3 INITIAL INVESTIGATION 600.3.1 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES A sworn officer responsible for an initial investigation shall complete no less than the following: (a)Make a preliminary determination of whether a crime has been committed by completing, at a minimum: 1.An initial statement from any witnesses or complainants. 2.A cursory examination for evidence. (b)If information indicates a crime has occurred, the officer shall: 1.Preserve the scene and any evidence as required to complete the initial and follow-up investigation. 2.Determine if additional investigative resources (e.g., investigators or scene processing) are necessary and request assistance as required. 3.If assistance is warranted, or if the incident is not routine, notify a supervisor or the Watch Commander. 4.Make reasonable attempts to locate, identify and interview all available victims, complainants, witnesses and suspects. 5.Collect any evidence. 6.Take any appropriate law enforcement action. 7.Complete and submit the appropriate reports and documentation. (c)If the preliminary determination is that no crime occurred, determine what other action may be necessary, what other resources may be available, and advise the informant or complainant of this information. 600.3.2 CIVILIAN MEMBER MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES A civilian member member assigned to any preliminary investigation is responsible for all investigative steps, except making any attempt to locate, contact or interview a suspect face-to- Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Investigation and Prosecution Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentInvestigation and Prosecution - 2face or take any enforcement action. Should an initial investigation indicate that those steps are required, the assistance of a sworn officer shall be requested. 600.4 CUSTODIAL INTERROGATION REQUIREMENTS Suspects who are in custody and subjected to an interrogation shall be given the Miranda warning, unless an exception applies. Interview or interrogation of a juvenile shall be in accordance with the Temporary Custody of Juveniles Policy. 600.4.1 AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDINGS Any custodial interrogation of an individual who is suspected of having committed any violent felony offense should be recorded (audio or video with audio as available) in its entirety. Regardless of where the interrogation occurs, every reasonable effort should be made to secure functional recording equipment to accomplish such recordings. Consideration should also be given to recording a custodial interrogation, or any investigative interview, for any other offense when it is reasonable to believe it would be appropriate and beneficial to the investigation and is otherwise allowed by law. No recording of a custodial interrogation should be destroyed or altered without written authorization from the prosecuting attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division supervisor. Copies of recorded interrogations or interviews may be made in the same or a different format as the original recording, provided the copies are true, accurate and complete and are made only for authorized and legitimate law enforcement purposes. Recordings should not take the place of a thorough report and investigative interviews. Written statements from suspects should continue to be obtained when applicable. 600.4.2 MANDATORY RECORDING OF ADULTS Any custodial interrogation of an adult who is suspected of having committed any murder shall be recorded in its entirety. The recording should be video with audio if reasonably feasible (Penal Code § 859.5). This recording is not mandatory when (Penal Code § 859.5): (a)Recording is not feasible because of exigent circumstances that are later documented in a report. (b)The suspect refuses to have the interrogation recorded, including a refusal any time during the interrogation, and the refusal is documented in a report. If feasible, the refusal shall be electronically recorded. (c)The custodial interrogation occurred in another state by law enforcement officers of that state, unless the interrogation was conducted with the intent to avoid the requirements of Penal Code § 859.5. (d)The interrogation occurs when no member conducting the interrogation has a reason to believe that the individual may have committed murder. Continued custodial interrogation concerning that offense shall be electronically recorded if the interrogating member develops a reason to believe the individual committed murder. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Investigation and Prosecution Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentInvestigation and Prosecution - 3(e)The interrogation would disclose the identity of a confidential informant or would jeopardize the safety of a sworn officer, the individual being interrogated or another individual. Such circumstances shall be documented in a report. (f)A recording device fails despite reasonable maintenance and the timely repair or replacement is not feasible. (g)The questions are part of a routine processing or booking, and are not an interrogation. (h)The suspect is in custody for murder and the interrogation is unrelated to a murder. However, if any information concerning a murder is mentioned during the interrogation, the