Criminal Investigation and Board Review Process

Review Process

• Board members can request further investigation or supplemental reports before making a recommendation.
• The Sheriff or designee determines whether the board should delay its review until after completion of any criminal investigation or other related actions.

Review Considerations

• The review is based on facts reasonably believed or known by the officer at the time of the incident.
• Other factors considered include witness and officer statements, video evidence, legal requirements, agency policies, procedures, and approved training.

Board Recommendations

• The board can make one of the following recommended actions for each employee involved in the use of force incident:
  • Further investigation by Internal Affairs.
  • Objectively reasonable and appropriate under the given facts and circumstances.

Executive Director's Role

• The chair recommends, in writing, to the Executive Director of the Department of Professional Standards.
• The Executive Director reviews and comments on the findings, if necessary.

Further Action

• If the recommendation is "Further Action is Warranted" or "Further Internal Investigation is Recommended", the Chair sends the investigation to Internal Affairs or Criminal Investigations.
• Training issues are forwarded to the Training Division Director.

Notifications and Preservations

• Internal Affairs notifies the employee of the outcome of the Shooting Review Board's findings.
• Recordings of relevant radio/telephone transmissions and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) notes are identified and preserved.

Crime Scene Management

• The on-scene supervisor sets up an entry control point (ECP) immediately outside the scene's perimeter.
• The ECP ensures the scene is not disturbed more than absolutely necessary.
• Union representatives and union attorneys may not enter the active crime scene unless escorted by the lead investigator.
• The ECP Supervisor maintains a log of all people entering the scene.