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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGO 91-05 Investigative Task ForceOPS-04.1 INVESTIGATIVE TASK FORCE Original Date of Issue General Order Number October 01, 1991 91-05 Effective Date of Reissue Section Code May 04, 2013 OPS-04 Reevaluation Date June 2016 Amends C.A.L.E.A. Reference (see “INDEX AS:”) INDEX AS Criteria for Investigative Task Force Investigative Task Force Outside Agency Requests - Investigative Task Force Members Procedures for Investigative Task Force I. PURPOSE The purpose of this Order is to establish the policies and procedures for the creation and operation of investigative task forces consisting of law enforcement officers from Iowa City and/or outside law enforcement agencies. This Order consists of the following numbered sections: I. Purpose II. Policy II. Procedures for the Investigative Task Force III. Outside Agency Requests for Task Force Participation IV. Notification Procedure V. Effective Date OPS-04.2 II. POLICY A. It shall be the policy of the Iowa City Police Department to establish temporary investigative task forces to handle major case investigations, widespread criminal activity, highly volatile criminal activity, and/or multi- jurisdictional criminal activity. B. The Commander, Field Operations and Commander, Investigations Section have the authority either to establish an investigative task force in Iowa City or to permit Iowa City officers to participate as task force members in other jurisdictions. If time permits, the Chief of Police should give prior approval to the task force. III. PROCEDURES FOR THE INVESTIGATIVE TASK FORCE A. Criteria for Establishing an Investigative Task Force 1. Surveillance (stake out situations) 2. Mass arrests and/or potentially dangerous arrests 3. Large scale and/or potentially dangerous search warrant situations 4. Major case investigation such as homicide, burglaries, armed robbery, sexual assault, etc. 5. Missing child case 6. Investigation of multi-jurisdictional criminal activity 7. Other situations requiring the coordinative efforts of investigators and patrol officers from their jurisdictions. B. Task Force Command 1. The Investigations Commander will be in command of any task force that is established within the City of Iowa City. This command authority will include personnel from other law enforcement agencies assisting in the operation. 2. The Investigations Commander will hold a general briefing for all parties involved in the operation. The briefing shall focus upon the following: a] Purpose of investigative task force b] Identification of target, subjects, vehicle and/or victim c] Assignment of task force personnel d] Plan of action e] Contingency plans. C. Staffing of Task Force Whenever possible, the Investigative Task Force will be staffed from the roster of the Iowa City Police Department and any other agency that has a direct interest in the operation. Other law enforcement agencies may be polled for personnel, as the need arises. D. Task Force Debriefing When the operation is completed, every attempt will be made to assemble all parties at a designated place for a debriefing of the operation. All positive and negative aspects of the operation will be discussed to enhance future operations. OPS-04.3 VI. OUTSIDE AGENCY REQUESTS FOR TASK FORCE PARTICIPATION A. The Investigations Commander and/or Commander, Field Operations, must approve the assignment of officers to participate in a task force operation controlled by an outside law enforcement agency. B. When assigned to an outside task force, the Iowa City officer(s) will follow the orders of the Commander or officer in charge of that task force operation. C. If members of the Iowa City Police Department are involved in a task force operation involving outside agencies and that operation culminates in an arrest within the jurisdiction of the City of Iowa City, the Iowa City officers will transport, book, and process the arrest. The only exceptions will be if: 1. a federal or state agency is coordinating the operation 2. a local agency is serving arrest or search warrant which originated from their jurisdiction. V. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES A. The Investigations Commander and/or Commander, Field Operations, will be responsible for notifying the Chief of Police of the creation of an investigative task force and for regular briefings on the status of the investigation. Samuel Hargadine, Chief of Police WARNING This directive is for departmental use only and does not apply in any criminal or civil proceeding. The department policy should not be construed as a creation of a higher legal standard of safety or care in an evidentiary sense with respect to third-party claims. Violations of this directive will only form the basis for departmental administrative sanctions.