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HomeMy WebLinkAbout432 Suspicious Activity ReportingIowa City Police Department Policy Manual Suspicious Activity Reporting Effective Date: 05/28/2024 Revised Date: Issuing Authority: Chief Dustin Liston 432.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidelines for reporting and investigating suspicious and criminal activity. 432.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Involved party - An individual who has been observed engaging in suspicious activity, as defined in this policy, when no definitive criminal activity can be identified, thus precluding the person's identification as a suspect. Suspicious activity - Any reported or observed activity that a member reasonably believes may have a nexus to any criminal act or attempted criminal act, or to foreign or domestic terrorism. Actual or perceived characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic status, age, cultural group, or disability should not be considered as factors that create suspicion (although these factors may be used as specific suspect descriptions). Examples of suspicious activity may include but are not limited to: • Suspected pre -operational surveillance or intelligence gathering (e.g., photographing security features, asking questions about sensitive security -related subjects). • Tests of security measures and response to incidents (e.g., "dry run," creating false alarms, attempts to enter secure areas without authorization). • Suspicious purchases (e.g., purchasing large quantities of otherwise legal items, such as fertilizer, that could be used to create an explosive or other dangerous device). • An individual in possession of such things as a hoax explosive or dispersal device, sensitive materials (e.g., passwords, access codes, classified government information), or coded or ciphered literature or correspondence. 432.2 POLICY The Iowa City Police Department recognizes the need to protect the public from criminal conduct and acts of terrorism and shall lawfully collect, maintain and disseminate information regarding suspicious activities, while safeguarding civil liberties and privacy protections. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Suspicious Activity Reporting - 1 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department Iowa ='tx Police Department f Policy Manual Suspicious Activity Reporting 432-3 RESPONSIBILITIES The |DVeSiQGUOO []iViSiOO CO00GDd8[ and the authorized designees will 0GO8Q8 activities n8|8t8d to the reporting of suspicious activity. /\u[h0hz8d designees should include Sup8n/iGOrG who are n8SpOn8ib|8 for department participation in C[i0OinG| inL8||iQgOCV SySteDlS GS OUdiO8d in the Criminal Organizations Policy. The responsibilities of the Investigation Division include, but are not limited to: (a) Remaining familiar with those databases available to the department that would facilitate the purpose of this policy. (b) Maintaining adequate training in the area Of intelligence gathering to eOSunB OO iDfo008U0D is being [D8iDt@iDgd that vv0u|d violate the |@vv or Cki| rights of any (c) Ensuring e process is available that would allow members to report relevant information. The process should badesigned hzpromote efficient and quick reporting, and should not be cumbersome, duplicative or complicated. (d) Ensuring that members are made aware of the purpose and value of documenting infOnn8UOn regarding SUSpidUUS activity, as well as the d8i8b8SeS and Other information resources that are available to the Department. /e\ Ensuring that G/\R infOon8d0n is 8ppnOph3t8|y disseminated to members in accordance with their job responsibilities. 0l Coordinating investigative fdlow-up.if8pprOph8t8. (g) Coordinating with any appropriate agency or fusion center. (h) Ensuring that, as resources are available, the Department conducts outreach that is designed to encourage community members to report suspicious activity and that outlines what they should look for and how they should report it(a.g..vvebsite.public service announcements). 432'4 REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION Any department noenob9r receiving infVnnGU0n regarding suspicious 8cbvUv should take any OHCeSS@ry immediate and GpprOphGi8 8CLiOO' including G [HqU8St for L8C[iC@| [8SpODSe Or irnrn8di8t8 nOUfiC@UOn of specialized 8nUU88. when applicable. Any non -sworn member who receives such information should ensure that it is passed on to an officer in a timely manner. If the SuSpiCk]uS activity is not directly r8|818d to 8 n8pOrt8b|8 QirnS, the member should prepare a 8AR and include information about the involved parties and the circumstances of the incident. If, during any investigation an officer becomes aware of suspicious activity that is unrelated to the current investigation, the information should be documented separately in a SAR and not included in the original incident report. The report number of the original incident should be included in the SAR@G8cross reference. ASARshould beprocessed 8Sany other incident report. 432'5 HANDLING INFORMATION The Records will forward copies of reports related to suspicious activity, in a timely manner, to: Copyright Lexipol, uou02w1un4,All Rights Reserved. Suspicious Activity Reporting -2 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department Iowa City Police Department Policy Manual Suspicious Activity Reporting The Investigation Section supervisor. Other authorized designees. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Suspicious Activity Reporting - 3 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department