NCJ Number
86622
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 47 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1980) Pages: 71-76
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses factors related to the effective use of management discretion in supervising the criminal investigator's time and organizational environment.
Abstract
The investigative results desired by management should be specified in measures used to assess accomplishment. Any performance measure selected should reflect the quality of work the investigator alone added to an investigation. A formal training sequence of investigative skills and knowledge should be provided to ensure consistent levels of minimum competence in the investigative unit. The daily volume of new cases must be briefly analyzed and classified according to urgency, amount of investigative effort required, and level of expertise required to solve the case. Once cases are classified, appropriate decisions can be made about proper distribution. An investigative log should include every contact and the source of all information developed, so that any new person coming onto a case knows what steps have been taken and the results achieved. The investigator and manager must meet and confer on all cases over 30 days old to ensure that the investigator's time is being used effectively. Further, the commanding officer should evaluate cases every 6 months to ensure system consistency and an opportunity to assess unusual individual and group performance. Data of interest to managers should include arrest records, search warrants served, cases cleared, multiple charges, property recovered, cases lost in suppression hearings, conviction on original charges, etc. Since successful investigations are always dependent on the performance of other units outside the criminal investigation unit, some form of recognition and supportive effort should be shown toward these units. The manager can help the morale of investigators by serving as an advocate for investigative efforts with other criminal justice agencies that impact the disposition of the case. Overall, the best working environment for investigators includes participative management and some degree of autonomy.