Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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5.2 Criminal Investigations: Operations
5.2.1 Procedures Used in Criminal Investigations (Revised: 8/1/14)
Officers in every incident will conduct themselves in a professional and impartial manner, being
thorough and timely in their investigations and contacting victims and witnesses promptly. The
following techniques may assist in solving a case:
A. Information Development
1. Information may be developed from a wide variety of sources. These may
include , but are not limited to , witnesses, victims, neighbors, friends, other public
agencies, other law enforcement agencies and informants.
2. All information obtained will be kept confidential and consistent with public
information and record keeping laws and in accordance with General O rder 8.4.9,
“Records Security and Privacy.”
B. Interviews and interrogations are useful tools in guiding the officer in establishing the
truth.
1. Interviews are conducted to gather facts and information from subjects not
considered the focus of the inve stigation, but who may have knowledge of the
incident.
a. Since the information must be voluntarily given, time of day, length, focus
and the number of officers involved in the interview should be considered
when planning the interview.
2. Interrogations a re for subjects directly involved in a criminal investigation.
a. Prior to the interrogation and if the subject is in custody, the subject
should be advised of his/her Miranda rights.
b. The subject will be advised prior to any interrogation of being aud io- or
video -recorded.
c. The following conduct is prohibited:
(1) Obtaining confessions or admissions by coercion or other
involuntary means
(2) Intentional delays in the criminal justice process
(3) Failure to inform suspects of their Constitutional rights
(4) Deprivation of counsel
(5) Pretrial publicity tending to a prejudice a fair trial.
3. Officers will not negotiate pleas or promise leniency with a suspect without prior
consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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C. Collection, Preservation and Use of Physical Evidence
Physical evidence will be searched for , collected, and preserved during the course of any
criminal investigation. Officers will examine/cause to be examined physical evidence
collected from a crime sc ene and ensure the use and applicability in the investigation.
1. All evidence will be processed and collected in accordance with General Order
9.2, “Collection and Preservation of Evidence.”
D. Surveillance
1. Surveillance activities are necessary in criminal investigations to observe
suspects, probable targets of victimization and other conditions related to criminal
conduct.
2. Officers must obtain supervisory permission prior to conducting any surveillance.
Officers shall prepare an operations plan prior to conducting surveillance, if time
permits.
3. Uniformed officers must obtain supervisory permission prior to using any
unmarked police vehicle or specialized equipment.
a. Equipment will be checked out fro m the Investigations Lieutenant.
b. Equipment will be returned ready for immediate use, i.e., vehicle fully
fueled, evidence kit stocked, film replaced in camera, etc.
4. During the course of surveillance, if a crime is observed, consideration regarding
the safety of the community, the officer and the on -going investigation should be
evaluated prior to making an arrest.