SOP

Los Santos Police Department

Investigations Unit

Standard Operating Procedures

Chief: Taggart

Division Lead: Xander Coleman

Introduction

Duties and Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Investigations Unit to provide leadership, direction, and support in the investigation of violent crimes, commercial crimes, and other crimes referred by members of any department of Law Enforcement in the State of San Andreas. The department shall strive to provide investigative support to patrol officers and maintain investigative services in specialized functions where prolonged or detailed investigation is required.

Chain of Command

The CID operates with both a centralized and decentralized chain of command. In normal operations, detectives follow the typical chain of command structure. However, a detective leading an investigation may be responsible for teams in which they find themselves supervising more senior detectives and LEOs.

Command

Division Lead

Supervisor

Detectives

Senior Detective

Detective

Probationary Detective

Probationary Detectives

Probationary Detectives are hired into the CID as individuals who have shown promise in their investigatory abilities, but are still in need of training or direction by more senior Detectives.

Probationary Detectives may be selected to lead investigations, or may request the lead of an investigation from a Detective or higher.     

Probationary Detectives may only wear business casual/plain clothes while under supervision or direct permission from a Senior Detective or higher.

Probationary Detectives may only drive an unmarked or undercover vehicle while under supervision or with direct permission from a Senior Detective or higher.

Sub-Divisions

Subdivisions of the CID are created for the limited purpose of investigating particular types of crime. Officers may be called to assist detectives in the investigation related to a subdivision. These officers are not considered detectives, and are not afforded the powers or opportunities of Detectives outside of the particular investigations they are assisting.

Homicide and Related Violent Crimes

The Homicide and Related Violent Crimes sub division focuses on investigations regarding homicide, manslaughter, sexual assault, and aggravated assault.

Robbery

The Robbery sub division focuses on investigations regarding various types of robbery, including breaking and entering, bank robbery, store robbery, muggings, and other types of armed/unarmed robbery.

Automotive Task Force

The Automotive sub division focuses on investigations regarding crimes related to automobiles, including Grand Theft Auto, vehicular assault, and other types of motor related crime.

Gang Task Force (GIU)

The Gang Task force focuses on organized crime via Gangs and individuals in large groups. They focus on Narcotic investigations and Weapon Violations mainly. 

Internal Affairs - (Lieutenant and up)

The Internal Affairs sub division focuses on internal complaints against and investigations of criminal activity or code of conduct violations by officers.

Professionalism

The title of Detective is a privilege. All Detectives are expected to exemplify the qualities expected of a professional Law Enforcement Officer.

Specialized Knowledge. Detectives are highly trained and must master a broad skillset to effectively execute their duties. Detectives are expected to retain and maintain their currency on all SOPs, policies, and laws in order to provide quality law enforcement services.

Competency. Detectives are reliable, efficient, and are able to execute their duties. Detectives also avoid making excuses and instead find solutions to problems.

Honesty and Integrity. Detectives are honest and exhibit integrity, always taking the high road in a situation. Detectives are expected to not compromise their own or the organization’s value.

Accountability. Detectives hold themselves and others accountable for the things they say and do. Detectives take responsibility for their mistakes and work to remedy their deficiencies.

Self Regulation. Detectives maintain their composure under pressure. They remain calm when faced with adversity, respect all individuals they encounter, and display a high degree of emotional intelligence while executing their duties.

Administrative Policies

Hiring and Training

LEOs that wish to join the Investigations Unit must meet the following requirements:

Be in the rank of Senior Officer (at minimum)

Be in good standing with the Department

Have the recommendation from a Corporal or higher

Express interest in joining the Investigations Unit

The Investigations Unit hand selects LEOs to join its ranks and is invitation only.

Hiring Process

LEO is invited to join the Investigation Unit.

LEO is appointed as a Probationary Detective.

LEO remains a Probationary Detective under the supervision of a Detective for a minimum of 1 week.

LEO is promoted to full Detective at the discretion of CID Command.

Promotion Guidelines

Detectives that show continued dedication to their profession, technical and tactical competence, and potential for further responsibility will be promoted accordingly.

Probationary Detective to Detective: After a minimum of 1 week and at the discretion of CID Command.

Detective to Senior Detective: Must have demonstrated potential to lead investigative teams and the ability to train junior Detectives. At the discretion of CID command.

Disciplinary Actions

Detectives are under increased scrutiny due to the trusted nature of their positions and may be disciplined for the following duty related infractions:

Improper use of unmarked or undercover vehicles and uniforms.

Violating Constitutional Rights.

Dereliction of duty and/or poor performance.

Not following the chain of command.

Withholding information from superiors or sharing sensitive information with others.

Obtaining information through questionable means.

Failure to file paperwork.

Interfering/Sabotaging other Detectives’ casework

General Operations

Responding to Calls

While on duty, Detectives can respond to normal calls for service unless:

Detectives are in an unmarked vehicle

Detectives are currently undercover

Detectives are currently running an investigation.

If out of uniform, detectives must have a vest that says POLICE on it.

Detectives should respond to calls for assistance or Officer In Distress calls unless the detective is actively conducting surveillance, collecting intelligence, or performing an operation that would be compromised by responding.

Uniform Standards

General Standards

Detectives are authorized to wear a variety of plainclothes during the course of their duties. However, Detectives will wear clothing that is commensurate with the duties and activities they are performing. The following standards apply:

When not performing Detective duties, Detectives will wear patrol uniforms and patrol as a uniformed LEO.

Detectives will wear business casual for all routine, daily activities. Detectives may wear patrol uniforms at their discretion.

Detectives must wear and display a badge.

Detectives should carry a firearm (hip or shoulder holster) unless a jacket conceals their service weapon.

Business casual clothing may be accompanied by police issued clothing/equipment such as a jacket or vest when appropriate.

Undercover / Plain Clothes Standards

Detectives may be required to conduct surveillance, intelligence collection, fugitive apprehension, crime suppression, and/or other activities that require them to wear non-standard uniforms. The following standards apply for undercover and plain clothes operations:

“Uniforms” for undercover operations should conceal as much of the identity of the Detective as possible. The clothing worn should match the situation.

Plain Clothes Detectives should display their badge, but are authorized to hide their badge as the situation dictates, only showing it upon identifying themselves.

Undercover Detectives are not required to display their badge.

Equipment Standards

Detectives have access to the normal range of equipment that normal LEOs have. However, due to the nature of their duties and uniform worn, Detectives should not carry the following equipment during routine duty:

Taser

Baton

Rifle

Vehicle and Patrol Standards

General Guidelines

Will patrol in a marked vehicle unless conducting an authorized operation.

However exceptions can be made if approved by the Lead Detective or a Senior Detective.

Will respond to calls in accordance with the Responding to Calls section.

Unmarked Guidelines

Detectives will utilize unmarked vehicles for authorized operations.

Detectives will utilize unmarked vehicles without emergency lights when they are attempting to blend in and will not compromise their security and/or investigation’s integrity by being discovered.

Detectives will utilize undercover vehicles without emergency lights when they must maintain their identity to protect their security and/or investigation’s integrity.

Undercover Identification

Undercover operations, investigations, and missions are inherently dangerous. The use of members of the Investigations Unit in a covert role in an investigation will be limited to instances where other investigative tools is not practical or would compromise an investigation.

The overriding concerns for any undercover operation are (1) the safety of the undercover officer and (2) the sanctity of the investigation and the tools to be used.

Although short term undercover operations may be utilized by any detective (i.e. undercover tails on a vehicle, short term undercover operations in public areas, etc…) longer term operations must be approved by the head of CID.

As part of these longer operations approved by the lead detective, the Detective assuming an undercover identity may utilize a false identity. Specific rules and prohibitions apply to any form of undercover work, as follow:

At no time will a Detective consume a controlled substance as part of their undercover role. If the Detective is forced into this position, the Detective shall extract themself from the situation.

A Detective working undercover shall be armed, but shall not be armed with police equipment. Using their best judgment and at the discretion of a Supervisor or higher, the Detective shall arm themselves with personal or confiscated firearms. Any confiscated firearms that are used shall be properly logged in an CID report so they may be properly tracked in the event they are lost or stolen.

Undercover operatives shall operate with one or more marked units patrolling nearby areas, aware of the location and identity of the Detective, who shall be ready to assist in the event of an emergency.

Undercover Detectives will disable their dispatch notifications.

Undercover Detectives shall carry no police equipment on their person, including but not limited to spike strips, vests, PD labeled firearms/ammunition, tasers, batons, flashlights, cameras, etc…

Supervisors should consider using an Air Support Unit in undercover operations to assist with the safety of the undercover Detective.

No Probationary Detective or Patrol Officer shall act in an extended undercover capacity.

Use of Force

Detectives are required to follow all department use of force policies.

Investigations

The Investigations Unit will attempt to maintain Detectives in each shit to be available for the investigation of serious incidents. The Division Lead reports directly to High Command. During times when a Detective is not available to respond, Patrol Officers will be responsible for the criminal investigation of incidents.

The Investigations Unit uses whatever methods they feel necessary to solve a crime as quickly and efficiently as possible. Lengthy investigations should be avoided if possible.

Roles and Responsibilities

Division Lead

The Division Lead is responsible for managing, supervising, and coordinating the operations of the Investigations Unit. The Division Lead is also the liaison officer to the Judiciary branch and the District Attorney’s Office.

Supervisor

Supervisors assist the Division Lead in coordinating the CID’s activities. They provide direct supervision to Detectives, provide oversight for all investigations within their shift, may lead a specialized sub-unit, and train Probationary Detectives. They assist in running the day to day operations of the department and work with the Division Lead to run the department as a whole. When the Division Lead is not available, the Supervisor reports directly to High Command.

Detectives

Detectives are responsible for the collection of information that will support, verify, and extend the information collected during initial investigations. They assist the original investigating officer with the preliminary and/or follow-up investigations when particular expertise is required. Detectives conduct such other initial and follow-up investigations that cannot be undertaken by Patrol Officers due to:

The investigation requires specialized or technical equipment.

The investigation required monitoring or maintenance of covert officers in the field.

Extensive coordination is required and personnel or scheduling conflicts with the timely completion of the investigation.

Immediate follow-up is required to provide for the safety of the victim(s), witness(es), or community and the Patrol Officers are unable to do the follow-up in a timely manner.

Other special circumstances as identified by a supervisor.

Preliminary Investigations

The preliminary investigation is the first response to a report that a crime was committed. The primary objective is to determine who committed the crime and to apprehend that person. Therefore, the first responding officer collects evidence which will help identify the individual responsible for the crime and will lead to the arrest of that person.

Determining if an Offense Has Occurred

The preliminary investigation begins when the call to respond has been received or an officer discovers a crime scene. Responding Officers shall:

Gain as much information as possible from Dispatch about the incident.

Proceed promptly to the crime scene in a safe and responsible manner.

Not enter a known crime scene unless they are specifically directed to or they discover the crime scene themselves.

The first officer arriving on the scene shall be in command and conduct the preliminary investigation unless relieved of that responsibility by a supervisor.

The first responding officer should make a quick, visual survey of the scene upon arrival and be alert for any signs of suspicious activity, especially evidence of a fleeing suspect or evidence related to the incident.

The first responding officer will secure the crime scene by:

Directing units to establish a perimeter.

Ensuring that all individuals on scene remain on scene until they are secured/interviewed.

Preventing unauthorized persons from entering the scene.

Ensuring that physical evidence is not touched or moved unless it is absolutely necessary to ensure its preservation.

The officer shall briefly note and record any evidence that may be related to the crime and shall request the services of crime scene technicians, if needed. If they are not needed, the officer shall be responsible for collecting, documenting, and properly storing physical evidence.

Identifying and Assisting the Victim

Once the scene is secured, the investigating officer shall immediately determine the need for medical aid for any injured person(s) at the scene and locate the witness in the event that the suspect has already fled the scene.

The officer shall locate, identify, and interview the complainant and any witnesses.

Witnesses shall be separated to ensure independent statements.

Witnesses should be questioned as soon as possible in a quiet area if available.

Whenever possible, written or tape-recorded statements of the victim, witnesses, or suspect, post-Miranda, shall be taken and will be included in the case file.

Officers should be aware that information from victims may have limited value due to the effect of traumatization.

The officer shall observe the following minimum standards for interviewing the complainant and witnesses:

Questions should be simple and in plain language.

Avoid interruptions.

Ask only one question at a time and allow the witness sufficient time to answer.

Avoid leading questions that imply a certain answer.

Avoid sarcasm, rudeness, or antagonism.

Whenever possible during the appropriate time, during the initial response or subsequent investigation, officers will identify suspects and interview/interrogate them as necessary.

The investigating officer should consider the following in regards to provided statements:

Was the lapse of time between the crime’s occurrence and the notification of police normal?

Are there discrepancies in statements of either the victims or witnesses?

Does the physical evidence support the facts of the crime related by the victim?

Communicating the Circumstances of the Crime

If it is determined that a crime has been committed, the officer may then seek to arrest the offender if there is a reasonable likelihood that the offender can be apprehended. Some factors that may be considered in determining whether or not to leave the scene are:

The nature of the crime;

The time of day or night;

The location of the crime;

The lapse of time between the crime and the arrival at the scene;

The availability and extent of the immediate description;

The availability of other officers to conduct a search for the suspect and/or effect arrest.

Conclusion of the Preliminary Investigation

The Preliminary Investigation will continue as time and resources permit (typically one duty shift). The Preliminary Investigation concludes when:

There is enough evidence and perpetrator information to substantiate probable cause and result in an arrest at the scene, should the perpetrator still be present.

If the perpetrator has fled the scene, the same information may be used to obtain an arrest warrant.

There is not enough information to establish probable cause and a case report is filed. This case report is screened and the case assigned to a Detective for a follow-up investigation (as applicable).

Case Screening

If a preliminary investigation is not closed immediately by an arrest, the Patrol Supervisor must determine whether to continue or halt the investigation. They will conduct an initial screening and forward the case to the CID.

Cases will be forwarded under the following circumstances:

Offences which are serious in nature such as homicide, excessive loss of property, trafficking, etc. or which fall under a specialized function of the CID.

1. There is belief that the incident may be part of an ongoing investigation.

2. The incident requires a follow-up investigation that cannot be completed in the course of an LEO’s shift.

3. The incident requires special equipment or authorizations to conduct the follow-up investigation.

4. At the discretion of the Preliminary Investigate Officer or Patrol Supervisor.

Followup Investigations

The purpose of a followup investigation is to discover additional information in order to clear a case, identify and arrest an offender, recover stolen property, gather additional evidence, and present this evidence in court.

The follow-up typically includes:

1. A briefing by the LEO that initiated the investigation.

2. Inquiries into investigative leads to identify suspects and associates.

3. Research and review internal and external records, reports, and lab examinations related to the incident, similar incidents, or suspects.

4. Use all available sources to obtain new information.

5. Disseminate appropriate information to the appropriate parties.

6. Obtain and execute warrants as necessary for the collection of evidence.

7. Identify, collect, preserve, and use evidence pertaining to the crime.

8. Continue the search for additional witnesses/re-interview original witnesses and victims if necessary.

9. Submit evidence for analysis.

10. Identify, locate, and arrest suspect(s) using criminal histories, M.O.s and other information and determine any involvement in other crimes.

11. Conduct appropriate surveillance, interrogations, and tests.

12. Recommend suspension of investigation if all leads are exhausted.

13. Prepare and submit the case for prosecution.

Use of Informants

The use of confidential informants (CI), under the direction and responsibility of the Division Lead, can be important to the suppression of crime and satisfactory completion of many investigations, including patrol/criminal investigations. The use of CIs to gather information concerning criminal activity must be properly monitored and controlled in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

The procedures for the use of CIs is outlined as follows:

1. CIs will be documented in a RESTRICTED informant file.

2. Each informants file will contain:

   1. Informant’s personal data

   2. Informant’s photograph

   3. Name of LEO initiating use of the informant

   4. Payments made to the informant

   5. A brief synopsis of information received from the informant

   6. The informant’s involvement in any investigation

   7. Signed informant agreement

   8. Code number/name assigned to each informant

   9. Any reports used to corroborate the informant’s reliability as well as unreliability

Suitability of CIs

1. Officers will not use an informant when it is known he/she is wanted for arrest. Arrangements should be made to surrender the information and he/she may be used when they are no longer wanted.

2. Officers will personally vet the credibility and reliability of all informants. Individuals will not be made CIs until both have been established.

3. All CIs require approval from a Supervisor or higher.

Protection of CIs

1. Officers will make every effort to protect the identity of informants by ensuring that an informant, acting as an agent to police, does not become an eyewitness to any criminal transaction unless it is used to develop the credibility of the informant.

2. Officers will make every effort to ensure that an informant does not have to appear in court.

Criteria for Paying Informants

CIs may be eligible for compensation at the discretion and authorization of at least 2 of the following:

• Division Lead

• Chief

• Command

Precautions and Handling of CIs

• If possible, only one officer should deal with each informant.

• Safeguard the confidentiality of the informant’s identity.

• Do not reveal police information in order to encourage informants to assist police.

• Express appreciation for all information received, regardless of real or perceived value.

• Do not make promises or deals with an informant that cannot be kept.

• Keep appointments with the informants, even if they do not appear.

• Do not use an informant to induce another to commit a crime. This is entrapment.

• Any plan to use a CI in an overt manner requires a Supervisor’s or higher approval.

• Recognize and consider the personal issues of the informant without becoming involved.

• All leads supplied by the informant should be investigated and the outcome documented.

• Officers should not permit the informant to take charge of any phase of the investigation. Control should always remain with the officer.

• Selection of meeting places shall be made by the officer and not the informant. If possible, have another officer present at any meetings.

• Meetings should not establish a recognizable pattern. Vary location and times of meetings. Make liberal use of phones to make contact.

• Meetings should not be held at the department unless absolutely necessary.

• Officers should be noncommittal about the value of information received.

• Never become careless or routine when dealing with informants.