Investigation Responsibilites

Tarpon Springs Police Department Investigative Responsibilities General Order # 215 Effective Date: March 15, 2021 Amends: 215 10/31/08 Chief Jeffrey P. Young 215. 01 POLICY In order to establish investigative continuity, it is necessary to define those component(s) of the agency, which are responsible for conducting the preliminary and follow -up investigations of various categories of crime. Investigations shall be conducted in a thorough and professional manner according to accepted inv estigative procedures. 215.02 PURPOSE The purpose of this General Order is to establish procedures for, Preliminary Investigations, Follow - up Investigations, Constitutional Requirements and Required Notifications. 215.03 PROCEDURE 215.04 Suspect Rights - The suspect's rights are clearly enumerated in the Miranda warning. Members are responsible to be aware of current case law regarding Miranda application. 215.041 Once a suspect has invoked his right to have counsel present during questio ning, all questioning must stop. Questioning may continue, at a later time, only if the suspect initiates a contact. At this point, a signed Waiver of Attorney Form should be obtained. This does not apply to asking questions concerning personal informatio n (i.e. Date of birth, address, phone number, etc.) for the purpose of completing reports. 215.05 Preliminary Investigation - Uniformed patrol officers are generally responsible for the initial response to crime scenes and conducting the preliminary inve stigation. 215.051 The following steps are to be followed, at a minimum, in conducting preliminary investi gations: 1. Be observant of all conditions, events, and statements and evaluate their significance to the crime; 2. Attempt to locate and identify any witnesses to the crime; 3. Secure the crime scene and protect evi dence; arrange for the processing of the scene and/or the collection of evidence; 4. Interview the complainant, victim, and the witnesses; 5. Determine if the victim wants to pursue criminal prosecution and note the response; 6. Attempt to identify and locate the suspect; interview the suspect if found General Order #215 2 7. If possible, bring the case to a successful conclusion by arresting the suspect, making a non-arrest referr al to the state attorney, or by utilizing an approved non -judicial alternative to arrest, thus eliminating the need for further follow -up investigation; 8. Complete a report documenting the incident fully and accurately. 215.052 In the following cases, a D etective may, based on the seriousness and complexity of the incident, conduct the pre liminary investi gation: 1. Worthless Documents 2. Check Forgeries 3. Homicides 4. Bank Robberies 5. Involved White -collar Crimes 6. Arsons 7. Vice and Narcotics Offenses 8. Computer Crimes 9. Other incidents as determined by the Detective supervisor or command staff. 215.06 Follow -up Investigation - The responsibility for conducting a follow -up investigation in felony cases not successfully concluded by the preliminary investigating of ficer rests with investigators in the Detective Division. The investigating Detective may retain copies of any incident report to include but not limited to Supplements, Interview Statements, Lab Reports, Rights Forms or any other document they feel import ant to the successful completion of the investigation. Any document created by the investigator must have the original forwarded to records as soon as practicable without compromising the investigation. This can be accomplished through ARMS electronically and/or placed into evidence. Any copy of any case file maintained by an investing detective must remain secured and properly stored during the investigation. 215.061 In minor cases, such as petty theft, gas drive off, etc., the responsibility of followin g up the case may be delegated to personnel in the Patrol Division, or the primary case officer may elect to follow up if time permits. 215.07 Victim Notification - It shall be the responsibility of the officers/detectives assigned to the case to notify the victim or relative in serious injury or death cases, of any major changes in the status of their case. Victim notification will be completed at the officers/detectives earliest convenience, and will be documented as part of a standard case supplement r eport. 215.08 Information Development - The following steps should be followed in the course of an investigation. The list is not all -inclusive for every case, but should serve as a general guideline for investigations. While these steps are guidelines for the Detective Division, all members should be familiar with and utilize them as applicable. On each assigned active investigation, the detective should: 1. Review the original report 2. Seek additional information utilizing informants, witnesses, and neighbo rhood interviews. 3. Disseminate information by preparing BOLOS for this agency and other concerned agencies. General Order #215 3 4. Conduct a search for witnesses, evidence, victims, and suspects. 5. Utilize the department's Records section, pawn files, field interrogation reports, and Communications Division to obtain information concerning related persons, property or related cases. 6. Utilize outside information sources such as other police and governmental agencies, vehicle registrations, criminal history checks, parole an d probation checks, and driver's license checks. 7. Examine all relevant physical evidence 8. When a suspect is established attempt to obtain a confession. 9. Identify co -defendants, if any, and notify surrounding agencies, if applicable. 10. Obtain a search warran t or consent to search, if applicable, to recover items of evidentiary