Chapter 11 The Investigative Function

1. Chapter 11The Investigative Function

2. Effective Investigators • A primary characteristic of an effective investigator is objectivity.

3. Responsibilities of Investigators • Providing emergency assistance as a first priority. • Securing scene, to preserve evidence and to protect safety of any injured people. • Photographing, videotaping and sketching. • Taking detailed notes. • Searching for and collecting physical evidence. • Obtaining information by interviewing witnesses to or victims of accidents or crimes. • Interrogating suspects. • Writing reports. • Testifying in court.

4. Investigation Questions • An investigation seeks answers to the questions: • Who? • What? • Where? • When? • How? • Why?

5. Successful Disposition of an Incident • The single most important factor in determining the successful disposition of an incident is the information gathered by the security officer at the time of the initial report.

6. Sexual Harassment • Sexual harassment is illegal based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and amendments in 1972 and 1991, as well as state and local laws. • Two conditions of sexual harassment: • Must occur in the workplace or an extension of the workplace. • Must be of a sexual nature that does not include romance.

7. Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment • When submission to, or rejection of, unwelcome sexual conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting the individual, or… • When some term of employment is either expressly or implicitly conditioned on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

8. Hostile Work Environment • Conduct is unwelcome. • Conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter conditions of victim’s employment and create an abusive work environment. • Conduct is perceived by the victim as hostile or abusive. • Conduct creates environment that a reasonable person would find hostile or abusive.

9. Adequate Predication for Investigations • Investigators in the private sector have less latitude conducting investigations. • Investigations by security personnel should be based on adequate predication which is the total set of circumstances that would lead a reasonable, prudent and professionally trained person to believe that an offense has occurred, is occurring or will occur.

10. Security Personnel Investigations • Among the most common crimes security personnel will be asked to investigate are: • Assault. • Breach of peace. • Disturbing the peace. • Disorderly conduct. • Burglary. • Unlawful entry. • Breaking and entering. • Theft. • Trespassing. • Vandalism.

11. Summary Questions • What is the primary characteristic of an effective investigator? • What are the primary responsibilities of an investigator? • What questions must investigators seek answers to? • What is the single most important factor in the successful disposition of an incident?

12. Summary Questions • What makes sexual harassment illegal? • What must be present before security officers can begin a criminal investigation? • What crimes are security personnel most likely to be asked to investigate?