Effective Date: 2023-10-16
To properly process suspects and handle the various aspects of their charges, fines, and plea deals, while ensuring that time and penalties are reasonably balanced.
Objective: To establish proper and secure parking procedures for police officers when bringing suspects into any police station, as well as guidelines for handling suspects.
Police Station Entrance: When bringing a suspect into any police station, always use the designated entrance. This is typically the front side parking lot entrance.
Security Measures:
Locking Doors: Upon arrival at the police station, ensure that all garage and bay doors are securely locked. This additional step enhances security and prevents unauthorized access.
Surveillance Check: Verify that surveillance cameras in the parking area are operational and recording.
Suspect Handling:
Supervision: Never leave suspects unattended inside the police station, except when placing them in a cell or secure holding area.
Search: Prior to confinement, conduct a thorough search of the suspect for any concealed weapons or contraband.
Identification: Confirm the identity of the suspect and cross-reference with any arrest warrants or relevant information.
Monitoring: While in custody, maintain a continuous visual or auditory monitoring of the suspect to ensure their safety and prevent potential issues.
After Processing:
Vehicle Parking: Once you have completed the processing of the suspect and associated tasks, park your police vehicle in the designated parking area. If available, use the side lot garage for secure parking.
Return to Duty: Alternatively, return to your regular duty status if your presence is no longer required at the police station.
Conclusion: Implementing these proper parking procedures, security measures, and guidelines for suspect handling contributes to the overall safety and efficiency of police station operations. These measures help ensure the secure custody of suspects and prevent unauthorized access to the premises.
Objective: To outline the procedure for obtaining a suspect's fingerprints, maintaining proper documentation, and adding this information to their electronic profile within the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT).
Preparation: When a suspect is brought to the police station, the initial step is to acquire their fingerprints. This procedure typically takes place in a designated room, usually located near the holding cells.
Scanner Utilization: Within the designated room, a fingerprint scanner will be readily available on a desk. If the suspect is wearing gloves, take necessary steps to ensure clear fingerprint acquisition, which may involve asking them to remove their gloves.
Fingerprint Acquisition:
Use the provided scanner to capture the suspect's fingerprints.
Ensure that the obtained prints are clear, accurate, and legible before proceeding.
Documentation:
After obtaining the fingerprints, make a written record of the Fingerprint ID.
The Fingerprint ID is unique to the suspect and is a crucial reference point.
MDT Profile Update:
Access the suspect's MDT profile through the station's computer system.
Add the obtained Fingerprint ID to the suspect's profile to maintain an accurate record.
Do not assume that the Fingerprint ID is already present; it is essential to verify and add it if necessary.
Evidence Documentation:
Take a photograph of the fingerprint scanner used during the procedure.
Upload this image to the designated #evidence discord channel, along with the suspect's mugshot.
Conclusion: Accurate fingerprinting and comprehensive documentation are fundamental aspects of the law enforcement process. They ensure the proper identification and record-keeping of suspects in custody, promoting transparency and adherence to proper procedures.
Objective: To describe the process of taking an up-to-date mug shot of a suspect, adhering to specified guidelines and standards.
Identity Verification: Following the successful acquisition of the suspect's fingerprints, confirm their identity to ensure accuracy.
Mug Shot Preparation: Direct the suspect to stand in front of the designated wall marked for mug shots, located in proximity to the processing area.
Mug Shot Capture:
Utilize your evidence camera to capture a high-quality and clear mug shot of the suspect.
Ensure that the image focuses on the suspect's face without any obstructions.
Uploading to Evidence Repository: Proceed to upload the mug shot to the designated evidence repository, which may be a specific channel or system.
Image Standards: Ensure that the mug shot image aligns with the following criteria and guidelines:
No eyeglasses are permitted, except for prescription glasses (sunglasses are not allowed).
The suspect should not wear hats or beanies.
Masks that conceal the face are not permitted.
Remove any hair accessories, such as bunny ears, that obstruct the view of the face.
Hoodies should be removed if they obscure the face or hair.
Conclusion: Capturing an accurate and compliant mug shot of a suspect is a fundamental step in the law enforcement process. Adhering to the stipulated guidelines and criteria ensures that the image maintains the highest quality and helps with the accurate identification and record-keeping of individuals in custody.
Objective: To establish a comprehensive protocol for requesting and executing a prison transport for suspects in custody, with a focus on eligibility criteria, organizational hierarchy, coordination with the Department of Corrections (DOC), and communication.
Eligibility for Prison Transport: To initiate a prison transport, specific eligibility criteria must be met:
The suspect must be serving a sentence of 100 months or more.
A minimum of five officers must be on duty and available for the transport.
Suspects must be informed of the potential consequences of any escape attempts during the transport, including additional charges, extended sentences, and fines.
Suspects should be aware that organizing a transport requires time, and any waiting time does not count toward time served, as transport is optional.
An officer from the higher hierarchy list below must be available to lead the transport.
Higher Hierarchy:
DOC Warden
DOC Supervisor
Swat Command
Swat Supervisor
High Command
Command (Swat Operator)
Vehicles Used:
A designated Prison Transport Bus must be utilized for the operation.
Assignment of Personnel to Vehicles:
The DOC Warden and DOC Supervisor are responsible for organizing detainees within the Prison Transport Bus.
Route Selection:
Careful consideration must be given to the route for the prison transport. While the route doesn't need to be direct, it should be reasonable. Routes through high-risk areas should be avoided.
Scout Vehicles:
Scout vehicles must be deployed to check for potential ambushes along the route. The SWAT Command and SWAT Supervisor should coordinate the positioning of these scout vehicles to ensure the convoy's safety.
Patrol Speed:
The speed of the prison transport patrol should be set to balance safety and timely progress. Collaboration between SWAT Command, SWAT Supervisor, and High Command is essential to determine an appropriate speed limit for the operation.
Involvement of the Department of Corrections (DOC): For an organized and secure process, the Department of Corrections (DOC) must be notified in advance. DOC members should actively participate in the planning of prison transports, with supervisors and wardens taking the lead. After suspects arrive at the prison facility, DOC members will take custody and initiate their sentences, provided they are on duty. To ensure smooth coordination and communication:
Share information about the individuals being transported, including their names, charges, expected sentence durations, and the total number of individuals.
This information enables DOC to prepare for their arrival, assess security measures, and manage prisoner accommodation effectively.
Effective communication and collaboration between law enforcement and DOC are crucial for the safety and efficiency of the entire process. By providing essential information, we ensure that all parties involved are well-prepared for the arrival of detainees and the commencement of their sentences, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and security.
Initial Sentencing:
Each charge in the MDT comes with a prison sentence, typically starting at a minimum of 5 months and varying based on the severity of the offense.
In the city, one "Month" equates to 1 minute of real-world time.
While incarcerated, prisoners have the opportunity to work and reduce their sentences, with an average reduction of 35-45% for those engaged in employment within the prison.
0% Off:
If a suspect pleads "Not-Guilty" or "No-Contest," the full-time sentence and fine should be served, with the only exception being if the suspect spent an exceptional amount of time in a cell due to circumstances like a raid or awaiting a response from the DOJ.
A full-time sentence may also be issued if a suspect displays combative behavior, including yelling, screaming, not following instructions, or being abusive towards officers or MRPD civilians.
10% - 30% Off:
This reduction is at the discretion of the arresting officer.
A suspect who cooperates and pleads guilty to their charges may be eligible for a recommended reduction of 10-30% off their sentence.
The suspect's attitude and body language are important factors in the officer's discretion.
Additional time off can be granted by Lieutenants (LT) and above, taking into account input from a lawyer if one is involved.
Additional Time Off:
In cases where a lawyer is engaged, additional time off may be considered.
The decision to grant additional time off should involve input from the lawyer and the encounter they had with the DOJ member.
Procedure for Sentencing: When sending a suspect to prison, the following steps should be followed in a professional manner:
Ensure you have all the charges listed in the MDT.
On the MDT screen, you will see "Recommended Fine" and "Time" at the top, while "FINE" and "SENTENCE" will be at the bottom.
Input the final fine and sentence into the "FINE" and "SENTENCE" sections.
Once these values are correctly entered, press the "FINE" and "JAIL" buttons on the MDT.
These guidelines are established to uphold the principles of fairness, cooperation, and professionalism in the legal system of the city. Officers and other authorized personnel should exercise discretion while adhering to these rules to ensure a just and equitable experience for all involved parties.
In our pursuit of maintaining a balanced and fair approach to law enforcement, we acknowledge that fines play a significant role in shaping the consequences of criminal activities. It is our practice to work in tandem with imprisonment time, with an emphasis on creating a proportional relationship between fines and time served.
Our current policy aligns with the guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ), ensuring consistency and equity in our approach to fines and time reduction. The key principles of our policy are as follows:
Proportional Reduction: When reducing fines, it is essential to reduce imprisonment time by the same percentage. This proportionality ensures that the consequences of criminal activities are consistent, regardless of the specific approach taken.
Maximum Reduction: Fine reduction percentages should not exceed the time reduction percentages. This constraint is designed to maintain a reasonable and balanced approach to both fines and imprisonment.
This policy underscores our commitment to administering justice with integrity and fairness. By maintaining a harmonious relationship between fines and time served, we aim to provide a transparent and equitable system that respects the rights of both the accused and the community as a whole.
In order to ensure a clear and consistent approach to charge stacking, the following list highlights commonly stackable charges and the permissible number of times they can be stacked. Please note that these guidelines may be subject to updates as directed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or any future revisions in the MDT or penal codes. It's crucial to exercise discretion when applying these charges, particularly when a suspect has requested legal representation, as flexibility may be needed to accommodate discussions with their attorney.
Attempted Murder (Government Official or Employee):
Up to 3 counts of attempted murder charges per suspect can be stacked, depending on the severity and circumstances of the case.
Class 1, 2, or 3 Weapons:
Stacking of charges related to Class 1, 2, or 3 weapons is permissible for up to 3 counts, depending on the specific nature of the incident.
If the suspect is involved in the transportation of these weapons to another individual or property, the charge may be altered to "trafficking."
"Trafficking" charges are applicable when the suspect is found with 4 or more weapons in their possession.
These guidelines are aimed at providing a clear framework for charge stacking, while also taking into account the severity and details of each situation. It is essential to apply these guidelines judiciously, especially when dealing with suspects who have sought legal counsel. This approach ensures that justice is served while allowing for flexibility in negotiations with attorneys.
In the legal realm, pleas are fundamental in the criminal justice process as they represent a defendant's response to the charges they face. Each type of plea carries distinct implications and consequences that significantly impact the course of the trial. For both defendants and their legal representatives, it is essential to understand the implications of each plea. Below, we outline the two primary plea types and their significance:
Not Guilty:
A "Not Guilty" plea is the defendant's declaration that they do not admit guilt in response to the criminal charges brought against them. It signifies the defendant's intention to contest the allegations.
This plea sets the stage for the court to proceed with a trial to assess the evidence and determine the defendant's innocence or guilt.
In cases where a defendant does not enter any plea, the court will typically record a "Not Guilty" plea on their behalf.
Guilty:
A "Guilty" plea is the unequivocal admission of guilt by the defendant or suspect. By entering this plea, the individual acknowledges the veracity of the criminal charges filed against them and assumes full responsibility for their actions.
A "Guilty" plea often leads to expedited proceedings and may result in the court moving directly to the sentencing phase, as the defendant has already accepted their culpability.
These plea types serve as the foundation for the legal process, shaping the direction of the case and influencing sentencing outcomes. It is crucial for both defendants and legal professionals to comprehend the significance of each plea in order to make informed decisions throughout the legal proceedings.
In our commitment to upholding the principles of justice and ensuring fair treatment for all individuals involved in legal proceedings, we adhere to a strict protocol for handling requests for legal representation. When a suspect requests the presence of a lawyer, it is imperative that we follow specific procedures, as outlined below:
Bar Lawyer Requirement:
Only Bar lawyers are authorized to provide legal advice to suspects in custody. Non-Bar lawyers are not permitted to offer legal counsel, as it may lead to issues in court, potentially resulting in a mistrial due to inadequate representation.
Bar Lawyers Directory:
Access the list of Bar lawyers in the City via the #lawyer-Contacts channel in our Discord server. This directory contains the contact information for all authorized Bar lawyers.
Request Process:
If a suspect requests a lawyer for any reason, the first step is to check the "Services" tab on your phone for the availability of any active lawyers. If none are currently on duty, proceed to the next step.
Discord Communication:
Reach out to the #lawyer-request channel in our Discord server to request the presence of a Bar lawyer for the suspect in custody.
Specific Lawyer Requests:
If the suspect has a preference for a specific lawyer, use the contact information provided in the lawyer contact channel to email the lawyer directly.
Response Time:
Allow a maximum of 10 minutes for a response from the lawyer after making the request. Patience is essential in this process.
Lack of Response:
If no response is received within the designated time frame, and the suspect still wishes to have legal representation, proceed by entering a "Not Guilty" plea on their behalf, and determine the appropriate full-time and fine as required.
This protocol ensures that suspects have access to proper legal counsel and representation when needed, while also safeguarding the integrity of legal proceedings. By adhering to these guidelines, we maintain transparency and fairness within our legal system.
Properly processing suspects, charging them, considering fines, and dealing with plea options are essential for maintaining justice and ensuring the court system functions effectively. This procedure helps strike a balance between penalties and fairness in handling criminal cases.