Recommendation 24.1

MPD should require internal controls to monitor the timeliness of these use of force investigations at all levels to ensure the policy is being adhered to.

Current:

IAD strives to complete all investigations within 60 days of initiation. Work locations are given 45 days to complete an investigation as this allows an additional 15 days for review by the respective assistant chief and final forwarding to IAD. If at any level of the review deficiencies are discovered or additional investigation is required, it may be remanded to the work location, which may require the investigation to extend beyond 60 days. Auditing of outstanding investigations is conducted weekly by IAD and commanding officers are required to submit written documentation to account for any delays if the investigation cannot be completed with 45 days. Requests for extensions may be made by the IAD commanding officer and when an extended due date is granted, follow up is conducted to ensure completion by that date and additional documentation is required to explain the extended delay.

Future:

MPD SOP 450 – Personnel Investigations can be revised to include these current timelines.

It should be noted that complaints vary in complexity and a fixed completion period is impractical as these investigations are dependent upon factors such as the number and availability of complainants, witnesses, involved members; availability or unavailability of evidence; involvement of outside agencies (district attorney’s office, city attorney’s office, etc.); and state laws regarding officers rights in interviews and due process in discipline. Experience has shown taking a reasonable amount of time to conduct a complete, thorough, and impartial investigation better suits the interest of all parties involved than adherence to a strict timeline, which may result in inferior investigations.