133 INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILTY

POLICY 133.0INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES REVISED: 11 /2011 REVISED: 4/2019RELATED POLICIES: REVIEWED AND REVISED BY CHIEF DAVID MAGNUSSON 4/2019 I. PURPOSE To define and delegate investigative responsibilities to the operating division of the El Portal Police Department in order to promote mutual cooperation and coordination, and to avoid duplication of effort within the department. II. POLICY It is the policy of the El Portal Police Department to adopt procedures which will ensure the effective and the efficient detection, apprehension, and prosecution of those persons who violate criminal laws. III. DEFINITIONS The following definitions are applicable to this order: A.Preliminary Investigation - the activities undertaken by an officer(s) who responds to the scene of a crime, including: 1. Providing aid to the injured 2. Protecting the scene to insure that evidence is not lost or contaminated 3. Determining if an offense has actually been committed, and if so, the exact nature of the offense 4. Determining the identity of the suspect or suspects, and effect an arrest if it can be accomplished at the scene or through immediate pursuit 5. Furnish other units, through the communications center, descriptions, method and direction of flight, and other relevant information regarding wanted persons or vehicles 6. Obtain complete identification of all witnesses 7. Determining the need for investigative specialists and assistance Page 1 of 3 8. Compiling a thorough and accurate report of activities B.Follow up Investigation - an extension of the preliminary investigation. The purposes of the follow up investigation is to provide additional investigation in order to effect the arrest of an offender and/or recover stolen property. Basic activities of the follow up investigation include: 1. Identification and apprehension of the offender 2. Arranging for the analysis and evaluation of evidence 3. Recovery of stolen property 4. In-depth interviewing of victims and witnesses 5. Interrogation of suspects 6. Determining the involvement of the suspect in additional crimes 7. Recording information obtained 8. Preparation of the case for court presentation C.Major Offense - a real or suspected crime of such severity that it creates, or seems likely to create, an intense public demand for identification, apprehension and prosecution of the offender; a crime which necessitates a substantial commitment of resources fro for a prolonged period of time, or a crime which requires the application of complex or unusual investigative techniques Major Offenses include: Death Investigations Sexual Assaults or Sex Related Felony Offenses Robbery Investigations Sophisticated Burglaries Arson Organized Crime Activities Kidnaping Home Invasions Note: Regarding the aforementioned Major Crimes, assistance from a larger law enforcement agency shall be contacted for assistance and/or lead as per mutual aid. In the event that the other (larger) agency takes primary, the involved officer(s) from the Village of El Portal Police Department shall serve Page 2 of 3 in a support role. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONDUCTING PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS A. It will be the responsibility of the Patrol Division to conduct preliminary investigations as defined above on all calls for service which involve major offenses B. It will be the responsibility of the Patrol Division to conduct preliminary investigations as defined above on all responses to non major offenses. C. Upon the arrival of the Investigator, the patrol officer on the scene shall relinquish responsibility for the investigation, unless otherwise instructed. The responding patrol officer will be responsible for completion of the original offense report, which will include the results of, and actions taken, during the preliminary investigation. V. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONDUCTING FOLLOW UP INVESTIGATIONS A. In those cases for which the Supervisor determines no need for specialized investigative assistance, the Patrol Division will conduct a complete follow up investigation of the incident B. In those cases for which investigative assistance is requested and provided, the Investigative Division will conduct a comprehensive follow up investigation of the incident C. Follow up investigation of most misdemeanor crimes can be completed by the Patrol Division. Misdemeanor offenses may be referred to the Investigative Division for follow up only when the following conditions exist: 1. The offense appears to be part of a pattern of such offenses 2. Follow up is required in widely seperated locations outside the geographic boundaries of the city in which the offense occurred. D. The Investigative Division will encourage participation by patrol officers in follow up investigations, when such participation is deemed mutually beneficial by Patrol and Investigative Lieutenants for the purpose of bringing the case to a speedy and successful conclusion or for enhancement of the professional capabilities of the patrol officer. Page 3 of 3