WELCOME TO THE NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
Independent investigation criteria.
There are five principles that are fundamental to enhancing public trust in the integrity of independent investigations involving police use of deadly force:
• Independence
• Transparency
• Communication
• Credible process
• Credible investigators
MISSION AND PURPOSE OF SIU
The purpose of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is to investigate officer-involved incidents that occur within North Central Washington which involve great bodily harm or death. The SIU will conduct a criminal investigation to develop relevant information to allow a determination of the presence or absence of criminal liability on the part of those involved in the incident, specifically:
To determine whether the nature of the involved conduct is prohibited by statues which provide for criminal penalties upon conviction, and
If criminal conduct does exist, determine the identity of the person(s) responsible, and
If criminal conduct does exist, determine the degree of crime(s), the existence of any factual or legal defenses to that crime, and the presence or absence of any factors which could mitigate or aggravate punishment for that crime.
While SIU does not investigate administrative concerns the Employer Agency may have, it is recognized that the criminal investigation results are of interest to the Venue and Employer Agencies for their internal use. The results of the SIU criminal investigation will be fully available to the Venue and Employer Agencies for that purpose unless otherwise prohibited by law.
SIU criminal investigations shall follow the rules of law established by the state and federal constitutions and statutory and case law which apply to criminal investigations. The investigation shall be performed in a manner that provides both the appearance and the reality of a thorough, fair, complete and professional investigation that is free of conflicts of interest.
As a secondary purpose, the SIU may be activated at the mutual request and agreement of partner member agency heads for major investigations where the scope and complexity warrant a combination of local agency resources found within the SIU.
GOALS OF SIU
To perform the criminal investigation of officer-involved incidents likely to result in great bodily harm or death.
To promote public trust by conducting professional and consistent multi-jurisdictional investigations of officer-involved incidents which involve great bodily harm or death.
To maximize the availability and sharing of the latest technological equipment and techniques.
To consolidate and share the skills of the most experienced commanders, supervisors, and investigators.
To conduct thorough investigations in a timely fashion.
