24 L
AW
E
NFORCEMENT
E
XAMS
be taken to resolve the case based on the evidence gathered and the recommendations of supervisory
officers. Police Detectives arrest, or participate in the arrest of, suspects based on this evidence and as
authorized by appropriate legal warrants.
During the process of arrest, Police Detectives are authorized to use firearms and/or physical force
when necessary to subdue suspects. At the time of arrest, they advise suspects of their constitutional rights
and escort them to the police station or headquarters for booking, interrogation, and detention. Suspects
are turned over to designated police personnel for fingerprinting, photographing, recording of personal
effects, and checking of their records by the records section of the department against outstanding
warrants in other jurisdictions.
An important responsibility of Police Detectives involves the preparation of criminal cases scheduled
for trial. This entails preparing a written summary of facts gathered during the investigation including
evidence obtained and official statements made by witnesses, victims, Police Officers, and defendants.
Prior to trial, Detectives usually review the case summary with the prosecutor to detect legal flaws; they
may have to supply supplemental data to strengthen the case for the prosecution. Detectives spend many
hours in court testifying as arresting officers and appearing as witnesses for the prosecution. In instances
of unsolved cases, Detectives usually forward copies of the fingerprints gathered during the investigation
to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for comparison with prints that will be recorded during future
arrests made nationwide by other law enforcement agencies.
The duties just described are common to Police Detectives in most local, county, and state investigative
units. The increasing complexities of police work, however, have caused many agencies to use Detectives
as specialists in various types of investigations. The size and resources of the department plus the needs
of the community determine the extent of such specialization. Detectives in small police agencies tend
to specialize less and are usually generalists who investigate a wide range of crimes. Detectives in large
departments in heavily populated urban or suburban areas are more likely to specialize. The following
are examples of some of the specialized assignments carried out by Police Detectives.
Specialized Assignments
Bombing/arson cases are those in which Detectives investigate incidents of suspected arson or the use
or presence of explosive devices. Arson is the intentional or attempted destruction, by fire or explosion,
of the property of another, or of one's own property, with the intent to defraud. Bombing incidents involve
detonation or attempted detonation of an explosive or incendiary device for a criminal purpose or with
disregard for the safety and property of others. In some departments, Detectives supervise or actually
remove suspected explosive devices to safe areas, using special skills and equipment to reduce the risk
to police personnel and public safety.
Detectives assigned to Burglary/Robbery Units specialize in the investigation of such incidents to
solve current criminal cases and to prevent future crimes of this sort. Burglary is the actual or attempted
entry of a structure, with or without force, with the intent to steal or commit a felony (serious crime).
Robbery is the unlawful taking or attempted taking of property in the immediate possession of another
person by force or threat of force, with or without a deadly weapon.
Detectives, Fraud and Embezzlement, specialize in crimes involving embezzlement, fraud, forgery,
and counterfeiting. Embezzlement is the illegal appropriation of entrusted property with the intention of
defrauding the legal owner or beneficiary. Fraud involves deceit or intentional misrepresentation with the
aim of illegally depriving a person of his or her property or legal rights. Forgery is the creation or alteration
of a written or printed document with the intention to defraud by claiming it is the act of an unknown
second party. In a check forgery, for example, the forged signature is accepted as being legitimate, and
the transaction is completed. Counterfeiting involves manufacture of a copy or imitation of a negotiable
