This is a very basic formula for success as a
detective. Take the time to read what you have written.
In today's world of case management and
investigative documentation, known in the NYPD as "ECMS" - reading
what you have written before finalizing a DD5 report is critical to a
successful case.
Just for familiarity of those who are not familiar
with the terms, ECMS refers to the Detective Bureau's Electronic Case
Management System- the electronic record keeping of all DD5s and other case
documents developed during an investigation. It is the "electronic"
version of the hard-copy case folder the detective prepares for an
investigation; the place where the DD5s are created and stored electronically.
It is extremely important that a detective takes
the time to read whatever he or she has typed out into a DD5 to make sure what
you want to say is what you have said.
Not only for simple errors of grammar or spelling,
but to make sure the intended message is what others read.
Of course, we all understand the error of typing
DID when you meant to type DIDN'T. For example, to memorialize "the
witness did get a good look at the culprits face" has a totally changed
meaning- and certain obstacle later at trial- if you meant to say the witness
DID NOT GET A GOOD LOOK AT THE CULPRITS FACE.
Errors like that, or on messy grammar and sentence
structure, never really seem like "such a big deal"- until you're on
the witness stand and the defense attorney has the jury believing that your
work is soooo sloppy -"just look at these reports" - that your work
is certainly subject to casting a "reasonable doubt" as to it's
proper conclusion.
Will you really feel comfortable knowing a shooter
walked out of jail because you didn't take the time to read what you wrote?
Along these same lines, it's important that you
read the reports that other detectives prepare for YOUR case.
Make sure that you thoroughly understand what they
are reporting, and that the written version matches the actual factual version.
A common problem that arises in the reporting of
area canvasses.
Detectives are sent to a scene to help in
canvassing a large area or a big building. They come back to the squad after
completing this task and report to you "we canvassed that building and no
one saw anything".
However, if you take the time to read the DD5 that
is prepared for this canvass you learn that there are 5 apartments where no one
was home. Perhaps there is a witness from one of these apartments, which you
will never know about, if you didn't read the report AND GO BACK to knock on
those doors.
If you missed that fact, and your Sergeant who
signed off on the report missed that fact, I can assure you of someone who
won't miss it- the Defense Attorney, in his quest to show the jury your
"sloppy work and investigation".
Simple theory that takes a little time to avoid a
lot of problems- READ WHAT IS WRITTEN, and make sure it presents the right
message.
A LITTLE STORY TO ILLUSTRATE THE
POINT:
THE ALMOST-MISSED POSITIVE CANVASS
I can recall an investigation that clearly
illustrates a point on the importance of reading what others write in your
case.
We all have been faced with the shooing/homicide in
a location out in the open and no witnesses. Frustration we have all undergone.
In one such incident, which the investigation had
gone on for almost a week with no witnesses to speak with despite the fact that
we had discovered a probable suspect and background-motive for the incident,
the DD5s were being reviewed for supervisor approval. A canvass of a building
overlooking the courtyard where the shooting occurred was being signed off on-
lots of No Info results from knocking on doors, but it was also noted that
there were 3apartments on the 2nd floor overlooking the courtyard that were
canvassed twice with "No Answer" reported.
Despite the looks given to the supervisor by the
detective to "go back and try again" the detective went back. Of
course, by now, you know the end result. A witness was developed from one of
those apartments. It tuned out to be the only witness to a case that produced 2
arrests for Murder 2. (The effort it took convincing the DA to go with the 1
witness is the subject of a whole other theme, at another time!).
Pay attention to the details. Read what you wrote:
is it what you want to say? And read what others wrote: is there anything else
I need to do with this information?
We don't do it because some Chief wants us
to-we do it because it's the right way to investigate the case!
NLEA: National Law Enforcement Associates
I very recently enjoyed a nice luncheon on the
Chelsea Piers for the NLEA Holiday Celebration.
I have been fortunate to attend several of these,
and thank Ret Capt. Frank Bolz-known by all as "HNT ONE"- for his
hospitality. He and his good friend Mr Ben Barbosa of Global Entertainment
Security acted as my host, and I thank them publicly.
Anyway, there were probably close to 1000 people in
attendance. It's always good to see the retired members who one to this, and it
gives you a great opportunity to catch up with others you haven't seen in a
while. The cast of people you will rub shoulders with- and you will certainly
be rubbing shoulders at the reception hour- are as varied and complex as you
can imagine in a group of law enforcement professionals.
Active law enforcement and retired law enforcement,
in all different capacities, rubbing shoulders and sharing an afternoon of good
cheer. The collective stories in that room are infinite!
I was sitting at my table and looked around the
immediate tables, and to give you an example of the cast, I was slightly
overwhelmed.
Here is the man who started the very first- Hostage
Negotiation Team. He was also the first person to wear a baseball hat with a PD
patch on it at a hostage scene, after his wife sewed one on the hat to help
identify him at a scene. If only he/she could have patented that idea.
There's a man who now works for Channel 2 News. He
recently worked for the federal government in a high-placed counterterrorist
position; before that he had worked as the DCPI and was surely the only one in
that room that actually sat with, and interviewed, Osama Bin Laden!
Here's a former Chief of Detectives, chatting with
a former First Deputy Commissioner, both who retired after over 35 years of
service.
I'm talking with a Retired First Grade Detective
who spent over 11 years in the Bomb Squad- starting there in1956. Can you guess
how sophisticated and the level of protection these bomb squad detectives had
at that time??
To my immediate sides are members whose combined
experience in the department, in detective investigations and major narcotics,
at over 155 years!! And that's just within arms reach (and I'm short-my arms
don't reach far!).
You can't help leave an event like that and feel
good about what you do each and every day. Whenever I feel a little own I find
there's nothing better to be with a group like that. You know what they all
want to talk about? How much of a good time they had "on the job".
A great boost for the holiday season! Merry
Christmas, for sure.
Global Entertainment Security
Intelligent Solutions for Entertainment Properties
NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATES
National
Law Enforcement Associates is a non-profit organization formed to conduct
training and provide other educational opportunities while facilitating
cooperation among its members in the law enforcement and private security
communities.
The
goal is not only to facilitate the achievement of their common goals but also
to further the preservation of the adherence to the Constitution of the United
States.
The
organization will conduct regular meetings and seminars at which its members
may hear and interact with expert speakers in various law enforcement and
security fields while providing a forum to discuss challenges of
mutual
interest.
FROM THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION:
If I may just take a moment, I would like to
acknowledge- and thank- those people in the past few days that approached me
and encouraged to start writing on this blog once again. You helped get
me kick-started, and feeling positive about the fact that there is a positive
reaction to some of this that I write, overpowering the negative feeling that I
had been hearing "You have to be careful what you write about the
department".
Once again, as I know I have said this on this site
in the past, I am very protective of our role as police officers in this city.
I am dedicated in what I do, as most of us are, and this is no place for
ranting or raving or negativity. It will not be coming from my typewriter (yes,
you still remember that- a typewriter).
Hoping all are enjoying their holiday season, and
festivities along the way.
Be safe at all times!
If you would like to contact The Minister of
Investigation- perhaps you have a story or anecdote you'd like to tell - you
may contact me at:
JCornDetect@gmail.com
Readers- please note the change in email address;
although I still maintain the Yahoo address that appeared here on this site for
many years, I do not check it all that often and would like to merge into this
new Gmail address. Thank you again....
