Frequently Handled Assignments

Chapter 4

Missing Person

• Do not delay report – no time requirement before report can be taken

• Parental abduction – Amber Alert• Personal info• Medical conditions or required medications• When last seen – by who and where• Their condition when last seen – upset…• How were they dressed – appropriate for

conditions

Missing Person

• Possible destinations• Possible companions• Areas/ friends frequented• Search the house – then search it again – then

search it again• Canine use – before scene gets compromised• Video from locations they may have gone

Missing Person

• Bodies of water or pools– Autsim

• Visiting friends/relatives?• Custody issues• Sex offenders living nearby• Their phone and/or computer• Money or ATM card

Amber Alert

• Created in 1996• Not used for runaways, parental abductions –

unless life is in danger• Criteria:– Law enforcement agency confirms abduction– Victim less than 17 yoa or has disability– Imminent danger of serious injury/death– Info made public could assist in finding the child

Amber Alert

• Criteria:– Vehicle involved and can be described– Immediate entry into NCIC system

• As of January 1, 2013, AMBER Alerts™ will now be automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program

• AFTER CLASS - Go to www.ctia.org/wea to see if your phone is capable of receiving these alerts

Intoxication Cases

• Protective custody statutes – not in Maine• Arrest may be the only option• Protection against self harm, becoming a

robbery victim, alcohol poisoning, accident victim

• Are they really intoxicated – or is it a medical issue

Missing Persons• Interview person making report• Possible vehicles or modes of travel• Scars, marks or tattoos• DNA from family members or their belongings

– hair brush, toothbrush, razor• Cell phone info/ computers/ journals• Credit/debit card use• Enter into NCIC• Possible use of media

Homeless Population

• Mental health issues• Public health issues• Personal health issues• Can be a source of information• Time of month – payments• Dealing with social service agencies

Homeless Population

• Treat them as you want to be treated – in the same circumstances

• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)• May be your only witness

Civil Issues

• Explain difference between civil and criminal incidents

• Mediate but no further involvement• Be careful about making recommendations• Referrals to other agencies• Advise what to do if it becomes a police issue

Burglary

• Report only or in progress – witness or alarm• Establish perimeter – two officers on opposite

corners• If found secure – get owner to unlock & then

search• If possible, do not use their point of entry• Use of canine to search building• At least two officers inside if possible• Use lights inside

Burglary

• Suspected located – search, handcuff and remove

• Ask him if anybody is with him• Continue search• Look at what has been disturbed• What is available for evidence?

Possession or transfer of burglar's tools 17-A Section 403

• . 1. A person is guilty of possession or transfer of burglar's tools if that person:

• A. Possesses or makes any tool, implement, instrument or other article that is adapted, designed or commonly used for advancing or facilitating crimes involving unlawful entry into property or crimes involving forcible breaking of safes or other containers or depositories of property, including, but not limited to, an electronic device used as a code grabber or a master key designed to fit more than one lock, with intent to use such tool, implement, instrument or other article to commit any such criminal offense. Violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime; or [2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF); 2001, c. 383, §60 (AMD).]

• B. Transfers or possesses with the intent to transfer any device described in paragraph A that that person knows is designed or primarily useful for the commission of a crime described in paragraph A. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime.

Bump Key

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SXua9R5GDM

Auto Theft

• Are you current with the payments?– No matter the person or type of car

• Has it been worked on lately?• Is there a spare key in the car?• Lo Jack• On Star• Other GPS tracking system

Auto Theft

• Check the area for other stolen cars• Look at where it was last seen – broken glass,

plate screws• Insurance?• Owner signs report – made aware of

fraudulent reporting• Entered into NCIC immediately

Domestic Violence Mandated Reporting• A. While acting in a professional capacity: • (1) An allopathic or osteopathic physician;• (2) A medical resident or intern;• (3) A medical examiner;• (4) A physician's assistant;• (5) A dentist, dental hygienist or dental assistant;• (6) A chiropractor;• (7) A podiatrist;• (8) A registered or licensed practical nurse;• (9) A certified nursing assistant;• (10) A social worker;• (11) A psychologist;• (12) A pharmacist;• (13) A physical therapist;• (14) A speech therapist;• (15) An occupational therapist;

Domestic Violence Mandated Reporting• (16) A mental health professional;• (17) A law enforcement official, corrections officer or other person holding a

certification from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy;• (18) Emergency room personnel;• (19) An ambulance attendant;• (20) An emergency medical technician or other licensed medical service provider;• (21) Unlicensed assistive personnel;• (22) A humane agent employed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural

Resources; • (23) A clergy member acquiring the information as a result of clerical professional

work except for information received during confidential communications; • (24) A sexual assault counselor; • (25) A family or domestic violence victim advocate;• (26) A naturopathic doctor;• (27) A respiratory therapist;• (28) A court-appointed guardian or conservator; or• (29) A chair of a professional licensing board that has jurisdiction over mandated

reporters;

Domestic Violence

• Spouse• Domestic Partner• Former spouse• Former Domestic Partner• Natural Parents of the same child• Adult Household Members• Parent/child• Current or previous sexual relationship/ Dating

relationship

Domestic Violence

• Dispatch info – history at the address, names of parties involved, Protection Orders in place, call disconnected, background noise

• At least two officers prior to entry• Listen before entering – if necessary• Determine relationship• Separate and interview• Determine aggressor

Domestic Violence

• Who to arrest – one or both• Mandatory Arrest– Visible injury– Belief violence will continue– Prior knowledge of offender’s violent behavior– Protection Order Violation– Elevated Aggravated Assault on a Pregnant Person

– serious bodily injury that results in the termination of the pregnancy

Domestic Violence

• Other legal requirements– Remain on scene as long as necessary to ensure

safety– Assist in receiving medical treatment – to include

driving to nearest ER– Written notice of victim’s rights

Domestic Violence

• Document with report, statements, photos and evidence

• Domestic Violence Report• Incident Report• Arrest report and victim notified if suspect is released• One return trip for arrestee to retrieve property –

only personal items nothing contested

• Follow up with Family Crisis

Child Abuse• Who is reporting?• Did the child disclose? To who?• Where and when did it happen? Jurisdictional

issues• Are there visible injuries? Photos• Interview issues– Who is the suspect?– Location – video, proper setting for child– Who will be the primary investigator

Child Abuse

• Getting others involved– DHHS– Victim Witness Advocate

• Keeping the child safe• Emotional toll on all

Sex Crimes

• Rape• Where did it happen?– Jurisdiction– Evidence

• Does the victim know the suspect?• Anonymous kit done at hospital– Law enforcement of the hospital’s location must

retain the kit for 90 days

Sex Crimes• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)• Kits are standardized and provided by the

state• Sexual Assault Response Services (SARS)• Interview of victim at hospital– Get specific info on where it happened– Have them draw a diagram of the room or

apartment– Specifics of assault – condom use, ejaculation,

missing items, injuries to suspect

Sex Crimes

• Make sure the victim is aware of the need for photos to be taken – with their face in them

• Clothing collection – where is it if they’ve changed

• It’s been days since the incident…• Tell them what is going to happen with their

case– Follow up with primary investigator

Death Investigation• Determine death – “Aren’t you gonna help?”• Your safety – electrical, carbon monoxide• It is a death scene – treat it like a homicide until you

prove otherwise• Initial observations are critical• Who found them?• How was entry made?• When were they last seen? When were they found?– Conclusion – they died sometime in between

• Limit entry by FD if death is obvious• Record who goes in – crime scene log

Death Investigation

• Don’t move anything• Don’t use the phone• Don’t play messages• Lights on/off, windows open/closed,

locked/unlocked• Medical Examiner has jurisdiction over the

body – you have jurisdiction over the scene

Death Investigation

• Notifications– Departmental – chain of command– Medical Examiner – jurisdiction over body– Attorney General – prosecutes murders– District Attorney (fatal car accident) prosecutes

manslaughter cases• Cause of death – what physically caused their death• Manner of death – natural, accidental, homicide,

suicide• Both determined by Medical Examiner

Fire Scenes

• Coordinate response of other units – what streets need to be blocked

• Entry if necessary and safe - evacuation• Information for fire department – smoke, fire,

type of structure, people trapped, injuries…• Review the crowd and record if possible

Courtesy Services

• Directions• Lock outs – auto and home• Lifting assistance• Hotels/restaurants• Safe areas for student housing• Utilities – broken water mains, downed wires,

road issues, traffic signals, street lights, debris in road