_________________ County

Policy Policy Number:

CRITICAL INCIDENT
INVESTIGATION & REVIEW

Required Core Policy

Applicable Nebraska Statutes:

Nebraska Accreditation Standards: O2.4

Date Implemented: Approved By:

Law Enforcement

PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish the process for the investigation of an incident in which
a person sustains serious bodily injury or death as a result of a law enforcement officer’s actions
in the official performance of his/her duties, or the intent of a law enforcement officer’s actions
to cause death or serious bodily injury to a person.

POLICY
The intent of this policy is to ensure that such incidents be thoroughly investigated and
reviewed in a fair and impartial manner.

PROCEDURE
Initial On-Scene Deputy

1. Deputy involved or immediately arriving on scene of a critical incident shall take

measures that are reasonably possible and appropriate to protect their safety, the
safety of others and preserve essential evidence to the investigation.
2. Ensure no continued threat exist to law enforcement or to others.
3. Identify wounded or injured and apply medical assistance as soon as possible and
request appropriate medical response.
4. Ensure Sheriff notification and response.
5. Coordinate responding resources as appropriate.

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 NIRMA (RCP) – Critical Incident Investigation and Review

6. Identify and secure all evidence.

7. Identify suspects and witnesses.
8. Secure the scene once the scene is deemed safe.
9. Identify and secure all weapons
(a) If office involved secure his/her handgun in their holster if possible
(b) Weapons should remain in existing condition and location found, unless
exigent circumstances dictate otherwise, and weapons need to be removed
for safety reasons.
10. Maintain control and command of the scene until properly relieved of this
assignment.

Administration On-Scene Responsibilities

1. Determine the well-being of all involved.

2. If agency deputy involved request outside agency investigation.
3. Assign a deputy to the deputy involved and have him/her remain with the deputy at
all times.
4. Ensure the priority of in-person notification to the family of the deputy involved.
5. Obtain a brief overview of the event.
6. Notify County Attorney.
7. Ensure all evidence was secured by initial responding deputies.
8. Assume role of Incident Commander and utilize the Incident Command System until
otherwise relieved by outside investigating agency.
9. Discreetly secure deputy’s involved weapon and provide deputy with a replacement
weapon.
10. Ensure area is secure and prevent unauthorized access that could contaminate scene.

Investigation

1. Once notified of an officer involved critical incident, it shall be the responsibility of the
Sheriff to meet with County Attorney and assign appropriate investigative personnel
to assist with the critical incident investigation.
2. Agency administration will not directly participate in any agency officers involved
interviews.
3. Assigned investigators will follow their agency protocols relating to critical incident
investigations.

Administrative Review

1. In addition to all other investigations associated with an officer-involved critical

incident, this agency will conduct an internal administrative review to determine
conformance with agency policy. This investigation will be conducted under the
supervision of the Sheriff and his/her administrative staff and will be considered
confidential.
2. Prior to interviewing the deputy involved the deputy will be provided a copy of his/her
statement given during the investigation prior to making any statement. The deputy

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 NIRMA (RCP) – Critical Incident Investigation and Review

shall be informed the interview is for administrative purposes only and cannot be used
criminally (Garrity Admonishment).
3. Interview should be recorded.
4. After investigation complete the administration will review and complied on relevant
information and determine a compliance or non-compliance with agency policy.
5. All media agency disciplinary procedures.
6. Nothing in this policy will deprive a deputy involved in a critical incident event the
right to consult with legal counsel prior to making a statement.

Post Critical Incident Briefing

1. All personnel involved, responding to or investigated in a critical incident event shall

be given the opportunity to attend post critical incident stress debrief. The critical
incident debrief will be conducted by a certified/authorized critical incident stress
team or coordinator.

Media

1. All media requests shall be coordinated through the Sheriff and County Attorney.
2. Release of the identities of involved personnel will be released once deemed
appropriate by the Sheriff and County Attorney.
3. No personnel involved will contact the media, not speak to the media without the
expressed consent of the Sheriff and County Attorney.
4. All media correspondence will be consistent with agency policy regarding media
relations.

Other Considerations

Sheriff will make notification to NIRMA representative of the critical incident event as soon as
responsibly possible.

©Copyright: NIRMA 2021