ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the guidelines and protocols needed to perform an investigation of an officer-involved incident that results in death or serious body injury. Investigating an officer-involved arrest-related death incident or a custodial death involves many of the same components as other death investigations, but at the same time, they can be complex and encompass numerous variables to examine. Each incident contains potential social, civil, administrative, and criminal implications. Criminal and administrative investigations are common, which must follow appropriate procedures. In major uses of force which result in a significant injury of the suspect the department's Force Investigation Team (FIT) may be assembled to review the officer's use of force. The purpose of the review is to serve as an administrative review to examine the officer's use of force as it relates to the department's use of force policy, training, and within the context of the dynamics of the confrontation.
