Policy
Preliminary investigations by a responding officer may be very restricted or may constitute the entire investigation of the crime. In a particular crime, the preliminary investigation may be limited by investigative policy, and in all cases it is limited by an officer's assignment workload. An officer should not continue a preliminary investigation to the point where the investigation will jeopardize other job responsibilities or duties.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.