Exam 10: Investigations

Detectives are portrayed in the media as the elite of the police department. Is there anything to this detective mystique?

What Would You Do? You are the Palmer Lake police chief. You are holding a public forum for all citizens to inform them of the coming changes and how these changes might affect the services performed by the department. Several citizens are outraged when the group is informed that, under these new guidelines, only those cases with higher probability for solving will be investigated by detectives. One citizen asks, "So, if I'm robbed and you determine that you're probably not going to find the thief any time soon, you just give up and let the thief get away scot-free?" Another visibly angry citizen adds, "How is providing fewer services and less investigation for crimes going to help make our town safer? We pay a lot of taxes to make sure we are protected, and this is how you choose to spend our money? By serving us less than you already are?" After the meeting comes to an end, you are approached by a dozen more citizens who are unhappy with these changes and do not want them for their town. You are contemplating your next move. You still believe that taking six months before implementation is a strong course of action that will allow for the best possible strategies for success. Alternatively, you consider waiting the full year offered by the Commissioner. With that period of time to prepare, it will mean a happier public for a longer period of time, plus give your department more time to become fully versed in the new methodologies, and possibly increase the chances of program success. -Which do you do: Maintain the six-month schedule or extend the implementation to the one-year mark?

What is the strategy of using data analysis and other intelligence to focus police efforts on incidents and offenders causing the most harm to the community?

One study found that offenders who were what were 90 percent less likely to abscond or reoffend than those who were not?

In the past, detectives retroactively investigated almost all felonies and some misdemeanors. One alternative to retroactive investigations is having patrol officers complete preliminary investigations on their calls and detectives investigate only very serious or complex crimes. Additionally, departments can utilize the Managing Criminal Investigations, or MCI, Method. The MCI Method focuses investigators' time and efforts into the cases most likely to be solved and has resulted in more efficient departments with more proactive stances toward policing. This scenario focuses on the division of law enforcement and investigative duties. Last week, the Police Commissioner for El Paso County, Colorado, called together the police chiefs from the smaller precincts in the district, including you, the Palmer Lake, Colorado, police chief. The Commissioner informed the law enforcement leaders that some changes were on the horizon for their departments. He discussed how patrol officers were now to be assigned more preliminary investigation work, and detectives were to focus on major crimes only. He stated that each department would need to create a new supervisory position that would be responsible for determining which cases are followed up on and by whom. Using the Managing Criminal Investigations (MCI) Method, the supervisor will rate the cases based on the findings of the patrol officers' initial investigations, then assign them to either the road officer or a detective. He noted that all departments would be expected to institute these changes within a year, with the time frame left up to the individual department leaders. -What method have police traditionally used to investigate crimes?

The detective division of a police department is charged with solving reported, or __________.

Justin receives word that he has won a prize and just needs to go to a particular address to pick it up. When he arrives, he finds the police are waiting to arrest him on an outstanding warrant; this is a(n) __________.

Who are required to register so that local, state, and federal authorities can track their whereabouts, and communities can be made aware of their presence?

Summary A Although most activities taking place within police departments involve patrol operations, detective operations and investigations play a major role. In many police departments, patrol officers are responsible for conducting preliminary investigations of incidents. The MCI method involves more active investigation by patrol officers as well as the identification of solvability factors that determine whether or not further efforts should be made to investigate the crime. Immediate implementation of the MCI method will allow your patrol officers and detectives to be more effective and efficient. There may be some unhappy personnel to begin with but this will pass. To learn more about the various responsibilities and duties of law enforcement detectives, see "Alternatives to Retroactive Investigation of Past Crimes by Detectives." Summary B Although most activities taking place within police departments involve patrol operations, detective operations and investigations play a major role. In many police departments, patrol officers are responsible for conducting preliminary investigations of incidents. The MCI method involves more active investigation by patrol officers as well as the identification of solvability factors that determine whether or not further efforts should be made to investigate the crime. While immediate implementation of the MCI method will allow your patrol officers and detectives to be more effective and efficient, it will be more beneficial to take the six months to plan how to implement the program. Your patrol officers and detectives need to know that they will get the training necessary to do a good job. To learn more about the various responsibilities and duties of law enforcement detectives, see "Alternatives to Retroactive Investigation of Past Crimes by Detectives." At the planning meeting, you inform your senior staff of the impending changes. Together, you assign members to the committee that will be in charge of the implementation process, including outlining the overall plan, assigning staff to the appropriate trainings, and selecting the person to fill the supervisory position. They all agree that a public forum should be held to let Palmer Lake citizens know about the changes they can expect from their department. -What agency funded the study that recommended the MCI method for investigating crimes?

What is defined as inducing an individual to violate a criminal statute he or she did not contemplate violating, for the sole purpose of arrest and criminal prosecution?

What Would You Do? You are the Palmer Lake, Colorado, police chief. Your city is one of the smallest in El Paso, County, though your department has grown by two patrol officers and a detective within just the last year. In considering what the police commissioner said, you believe that these changes will mean better use of your personnel and a more efficient and hopefully more effective department overall. You aren't sure whether you should implement these changes immediately or wait. If you opt for immediate implementation, your department can work toward being a successful example for the other departments in the county that choose to implement later. You know that it would mean that your staff would need to take training in the new methodologies during the time the process is being implemented, but you know they are equal to the task. Alternatively, waiting six months to implement will give you time to more fully research the recommendations, best practices, and guidelines; time to identify and hire the best person for the supervisor position; and time to allow your officers and detectives to get training in the new methodologies. -Which do you decide to do: implement the changes immediately or wait six months to implement?

Cybercrime is any type of criminal activity involving ________.

What is the purpose of the proposal called Managing Criminal Investigations (MCI)?

The hidden surveillance of a location or person is called a __________.

You hold a meeting of all staff and inform them of the police commissioner's decision. You outline the basic principles and guidelines of the new methodologies and ask for their feedback. -What agency funded the study that recommended the MCI method for investigating crimes?

What type of undercover investigations have broken up many major drug and arms smuggling operations in South Florida?

The National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals recommended that police departments should ____________.

Most courts have upheld the use of surveillance cameras, stating they are not a violation of individual's rights because __________.