ABSTRACT

This chapter treats related situations that call for a specific response on the part of the first officer. In addition, author have included in the chapter an updated Patrol Officer’s Checklist, from the Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide. Some of the information in this chapter may seem repetitive. If the first officer takes a suspect into custody based on the officer's observations, information, or probable cause developed at the scene, the officer should not as a general rule interrogate the suspect. If the defendant understands his rights and answers in the affirmative to each of these questions, an intelligent waiver has been obtained. It should be noted that there are specific rules for non-English-speaking suspects and juveniles. The first officers can best accomplish this task by firmly insisting that no unauthorized persons are allowed to interview or ask questions of anyone present in the interests of justice.