Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1
5.1 Criminal Investigations: Organization and Administration
5.1.4 Administrative Designation of Cases (Issued: 6/25/07)
A. Criminal cases under investigation will be considered as assigned or “open” cases.
B. Criminal cases that are not currently assigned or that have been assigned and the
investigation concluded will carry one of the following dispositions:
1. Investigation Suspended: All available leads have been exhausted, but the case
has not been brought to a satisfactory conclusion and \investigative effort may be
resumed as needed.
2. Investigation Closed Exceptionally: Police have exhausted all leads and have
done everything possible in order to clear a case. If the following questions can all
be answered positively, the offense ca n then be cleared exceptionally:
a. Has the investigation definitely established the identity of the offender?
b. Is there enough information to support an arrest, charge and turning over
to the court for prosecution?
c. Is the exact location of the offen der known so he/she could be taken into
custody now?
d. Is there some reason outside of police control that prevents the arrest,
charging or prosecution of the offender?
The recovery of property alone is not cause to clear a case exceptionally.
3. Investig ation Unfounded: Incident is false or baseless. An offense did not occur
nor was it attempted.
4. Investigation Cleared by Arrest: At least one person is:
a. Arrested
b. Charged with the commission of the offense and
c. Turned over to the court for prosecution.
Clearance by arrest can be claimed when the offender is a person under 18 years
of age and is cited to appear in juvenile court, or receives notice to appear before
other juvenile agencies, including diversion programs. This clearance can be u sed
even though no physical custody arrest was made.