Roll Call: Common Failure in Police Internal Affairs Investigations

Course Description:

This webinar will highlight common mistakes in police Internal Affairs (IA) investigations. The instructor will discuss how these deficiencies often stem from inherent conflicts of interest, insufficient training and experience in IA investigations, defensive organizational cultures, and a lack of internal and external transparency.
Some of the systemic issues include investigator bias, improper bifurcation of criminal and administrative investigations, improper use of Garrity, inadequate evidence collection and analysis, prolonged delays, and adjudication that contradicts the facts of the case.

Understanding the structural and procedural shortcomings of these investigations highlights several distinct problem areas, which will be discussed, including:
• Investigator Bias and "The Code of Silence"
• Possible Conflicts of Interest: IA investigators are often affiliated with the same department as the subjects of their investigations, which can create a natural bias toward protecting their colleagues.
• Discounting Civilian Witnesses: Investigators sometimes assume civilian witnesses are biased and uncritically accept an officer's version of events.
• Internal Protection: Fellow officers may "close ranks" or be reluctant to report serious misconduct by peers, severely hindering the collection of truthful testimony.
• Evidence and Interview Techniques
• Difference between Interviews and Interrogations
• Overlooking Key Evidence that either proves or refutes the allegation
• Understanding and identifying repeated "red flag" behaviors or historical patterns of misconduct.
• Knowing your policies, procedures, and the officers’ due process rights
• Lack of Transparency and Accountability

This training is geared toward front-line officers, supervisors, IA investigators, and middle managers. Officers will gain knowledge of proper investigative practices, and supervisors will receive additional tools to avoid investigative missteps. Middle managers will ensure that they approve thorough, concise, and fact-based investigations that address all allegations while maintaining the highest level of professionalism and investigative integrity.