October 5, 2005 To generate, track, maintain and secure a confidential record of each OPS complaint file by an assigned control number, and gather information contained from the OPS complaint files and other sources for statistical purposes.

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Atlanta Police Department

Policy Manual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Operating

Procedure

 

Effective Date

June 30, 2011

 

APD.SOP.5011

General Investigations Squad

Applicable To: Division and section commanders and employees assigned to General Investigations

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed:  6/27/11

       
  Table of Contents    
 

 1.          PURPOSE  PAGEREF _Toc297022666 \h 1

2.          POLICY  PAGEREF _Toc297022667 \h 1

3.          RESPONSIBILITIES  PAGEREF _Toc297022668 \h 1

4.          ACTION   PAGEREF _Toc297022669 \h 2

4.1           Case Assignment Management PAGEREF _Toc297022670 \h 2

 

4.2           Investigative Assistance  PAGEREF _Toc297022671 \h 3

5.          DEFINITIONS  PAGEREF _Toc297022672 \h 4

6.          CANCELLATIONS  PAGEREF _Toc297022673 \h 4

7.          REFERENCES  PAGEREF _Toc297022674 \h 4

 
 

 

 

1.               PURPOSE

 

This directive identifies the responsibilities and investigative process of the General Investigations Squad (GIS).

 

2.               POLICY

 

The Atlanta Police Department will maintain a squad of investigators that will be available from midnight until 0800 hours daily.  The General Investigations Squad shall monitor and respond to officers’ request for assistance on all calls concerning major crimes.

 

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

 

3.1              The General Investigations Squad Commander will be responsible for the unit’s overall administrative function.  In addition, he or she will act as the liaison with other investigative units and zones to ensure that vital information is communicated and all documentation is forwarded to the appropriate units.

 

3.2              The General Investigations Squad Supervisor is responsible for monitoring the request for investigators from the zones.  The supervisor will ensure that information and documentation created from each case is forwarded to the appropriate unit within 48 hours of the incident.  The supervisor is also responsible for submitting a weekly report to the Homicide Unit Commander regarding all of the calls for service received by the General Investigations Squad.

 

3.3              All General Investigations Squad investigators are responsible for responding to requests for assistance on all major felonies, crimes that will require extensive investigation, involve a serial felony offender, or one that requires additional investigative expertise.  

 

1.    The GIS investigator will assist the responding zone officer:

 

a.    complete necessary paperwork,

 

b.    interview and debrief witnesses and suspects involved in major crimes,

 

c.    and assist with on-scene arrest procedures, if applicable. 

 

2.    GIS investigators are responsible for forwarding all documentation, videos, debriefing forms, etc., generated by a case to the appropriate investigative unit within 48 hours.

 

3.    GIS investigators are also responsible for responding to and securing all homicide scenes that occur during their tour of duty.

 

4.               ACTION

 

4.1              Case Assignment Management

 

4.1.1           The General Investigation Squad will operate from midnight to 0800 hours daily.  There will be at least one Investigator on duty for each tour of duty.

 

4.1.2           In the instance that a General Investigators is unavailable to immediately respond to a call for service, he or she will notify the General Investigations supervisor and the supervisor of the appropriate Zone.  The supervisors will subsequently consult with each other to determine if the Zone officers can complete the preliminary investigation, or if the crime scene must be held until a General Investigations investigator becomes available.

 

4.1.3           At the scene, the General Investigators will work directly with the responding officer.  General Investigations will assist the Zone officer with any or all investigative functions pertaining to a crime scene (ex: interviewing witnesses, canvassing area, collecting evidence).

 

4.1.4           All actions taken by the General Investigation investigators will be documented in a police report or supplemental report prior to the end of his or her tour of duty.  The original complaint number issued to the responding officer for the call must be used on all documents and all evidence logged into the Property Control Unit.  

 

4.1.5           All documents, videos and evidence generated from a crime scene investigation must be sent within forty-eight (48) hours to the unit handling the case.

 

4.1.6           All completed original offense or supplemental reports must be submitted to the Central Records Unit by the General Investigator prior to the end of his or her shift.  A copy of all documents generated will be maintained in a file for a minimum period of one year.  

 

4.1.7           General Investigations investigator must respond to the scene of all major felons arrested.

 

4.1.8           A supplemental form must be completed for all suspects who are interviewed and provide information. The supplement form must be forward to the appropriate investigative unit within forty-eight (48) hours and a copy shall be retained in the Unit file for a minimum period of one year.  

 

4.1.9           At the end of each shift, the General Investigations supervisor, or his or her designee, will distribute a daily report briefly describing all of the calls for service the unit handled and the actions taken. This report will be forwarded to the appropriate zone or unit.

 

4.2              Investigative Assistance

 

4.2.1           General Investigations will be called to the scene when:

 

1.    Robbery

 

a.    A Commercial Robbery has occurred.

 

b.    Serious physical injuries incurred during a robbery which requires immediate medical attention.

 

c.    Physical evidence found on or near the scene that requires immediate follow up.

 

d.    An on-site arrest is made and preliminary indications point to additional suspects not in custody, and immediate action can assist in the identification or apprehension of these suspects.

 

2.    Burglary

 

a.    A burglary report involves a loss greater than $15,000.00

 

3.    Larceny

 

a.    A larceny report involves a loss greater than $20,000.00

 

4.    Missing Persons

 

a.    A person is reported missing and foul play can be articulated (ex. blood found on the scene or evidence of a struggle etc.) In these cases, the General Investigations Squad supervisor will make the determination whether to call Homicide units to the scene.

 

b.    A person is reported missing who is incapable of taking care of him or herself without supervision (ex. Mattie’s Call or AMBER Alerts). The General Investigations Squad supervisor will make a determination whether or not this missing person is a member of the departments Project Lifesaver Program.  If it has been determined the missing person is involved in the program, the General Investigations supervisor will contact the Homicide commander, and a General investigator or Homicide investigator certified to operate Project Lifesaver equipment.

 

5.    Aggravated Assault

 

a.    Physical injury which results in serious bodily harm and/or is made with a deadly or dangerous weapon such as a gun, knife, blunt instrument, etc.

 

6.    Special Investigations

 

a.    Whenever any crimes occur as a result of organized street or youth gangs.

 

b.    Fully Automatic Rifle or Sub-Machine Gun recovered.

 

c.    Any unusual occurrences that would require the assistance of the General Investigations Squad.

 

5.               DEFINITIONS

 

                  N/A

 

6.               CANCELLATIONS

 

                  N/A

 

7.               REFERENCES

 

                  APD.SOP.5010 Criminal Investigations Division