Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1
5.2 Criminal Investigations: Operations
5.2.3 Conducting Follow -up investigations (Revised: 4/30/20 )
A. It is the responsibility of the officer assigned to the primary investigation to perform the
follow -up investigations for all cases unless one of the following is applicable:
1. Resources needed to conduct the follow -up investigation are beyond those of the
primary investigating officer.
2. Necessary resources would require additional staffing levels and shift assignments
that would require overtim e to complete the follow -up investigation.
3. The case is highly sensitive must be conducted by Investigations Unit personnel.
B. If a follow -up investigation is necessary, the Investigations Lieutenant or his/her designee
will review the case and determ ine if the case warrants follow -up by the Investigations
Unit, or shall be followed -up by the primary investigating officer.
C. If the Investigations Lieutenant or his/her designee determines the follow -up
investigation is to be completed by the primary investigating officer, the Investigations
Lieutenant will:
1. Prepare a report/documentation of the specific follow -up that needs to be
conducted
2. Return the case and all applicable documentation to the primary investigating
officer through the officer’s immediate supervisor
3. Once the investigation is completed and reviewed by the investigating officer’s
immediate supervisor, the case will be return ed to the Investigations Lieutenant or
his/her designee for further action.
D. Follow -up investigations shall include, as applicable:
a. At least one follow -up contact with victims, witnes ses and other involved parties
b. A review and analysis of all department records (prior reports, field interrogation
cards, criminal histories, etc.)
c. Review of all results from any lab examinations
d. Additional interviews and interrogations, gathering additional information from
other officers, informants, outside law enforcement agencies and
witnesses/victims
e. Planning and organi zing and conducting searches and collecting physical
evidence
f. Identification of suspects
g. Determination of suspects’ involvement in other crimes, preparation of crime
bulletins for patrol information and apprehension of suspect(s)
h. Preparation of t he investigation for court presentation and assisting in the
prosecution.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
2
E. Misdemeanor and Non -Criminal Incidents
1. Misdemeanor and non -criminal incident follow -up investigations will be the
responsibility of the initial officer.
2. Misdemeanor follow -up investigations may be assigned by the Investigations
Lieutenant or his/her designee to the initial officer, another officer or a detectiv e.
F. Felony Crimes
1. The Investigations Lieutenant or his/her designee will review all felony crimes
reported to the Police Department and assess follow -up assignment needs. Criteria
for follow -up assignment by detectives may include, but is not limited to:
a. Requirement for extensive staff hours
b. Out of town travel
c. Complexity of the investigation
d. Related in cidents
e. Time factors
f. Other relevant factors.