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Narcotics Bureau Unit Orders / Chapter VI- Operations

6-14 Narcotics Investigations In Private Companies


6-12 Managing Majors Crews
6-19 Undercover Guidelines And Operations

NARCOTICS BUREAU

DETECTIVE DIVISION

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

 

  Bureau Order Number:     6-14                                       

                            Subject:      NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS IN PRIVATE COMPANIES

 

Effective Date:

     03/15/2009

Last Date Revised:

        09/02/2011

Last Date Reviewed:

     04/01/2021

Next Review Date:

04/01/2022

 

  1.         INTRODUCTION

 

            A.        Purpose

                       

The purpose of this order is to establish policy and procedure for involvement by Narcotics Bureau personnel in private company narcotics investigations.

 

            B.        Background 

                                   

Private company investigations may become extremely time intensive, may create chain of evidence problems, may cause the expenditure of considerable funds and may not meet criteria for prosecution.  As such, a policy is mandated to address issues involved in Narcotics Bureau participation in private company narcotics investigations.

 

            C.        Scope of Policy

 

This policy applies to all personnel involved in a private company narcotics investigation.

 

            D.        Accountability

 

The Crew Sergeant is responsible for ensuring that this policy is adhered to during the course of Narcotics Bureau involvement in a private company narcotics investigation.

 

            E.        Training

 

The Narcotics Bureau Unit Commander will ensure that all personnel are familiar with this policy.

 

 

            F.         Conclusion

 

 

It is the intent of this policy to provide guidelines for assistance to private companies during narcotics investigations; thus, it is intended that the investigation will have a positive outcome, not compromise other investigations and result in successful prosecution.

 

  1.        POLICY

 

Upon the request by private companies for our investigation of narcotic involvement inside or about their premises, the following guidelines shall be adhered to:

 

  • Notify the Zone Lieutenant

 

  • Advise the requesting company representative that, because of manpower limitations, Narcotics Bureau investigators may not be available for extensive and/or covert operations such as undercover employment or surveillance.

 

  • Advise the representative that civilian investigators, employed by the company, must be utilized in an undercover capacity for this purpose.  This civilian must be recognized as court reliable and willing to comply with our established procedures.  The company must provide compensation and all necessary funding for narcotic purchases and other related expenses incurred by the civilian operative.  The company must seek prosecution of all identified suspects.  In no case will the Narcotics Bureau recommend any private investigative organization.

 

  • Prior to commencement of the investigation a meeting of the company representative, the civilian operative and the liaison Narcotics Bureau investigator shall be held with the local District Attorney’s office to ensure agreement with the intended investigative procedures to enable the eventual filing of the case.

 

  • Throughout the course of the investigation, the civilian operative must regularly contact and apprize the Narcotics Bureau investigator of all pertinent activities and observations.  Any evidence obtained by the civilian, along with detailed written reports, must be delivered as soon as possible to the Narcotics Bureau investigator and in accord with Departmental “chain of evidence” procedures.  In the event the operator cannot meet with the Narcotics Bureau investigator during regular working hours to release evidence, arrangements must be made with the station Watch Commander to receive the evidence and place it in his safe. 

 

 

Under no circumstances will an operative be able to keep the evidence until the regular working hours of the narcotics investigator.

 

  • The investigation should conclude when the determined goals have been met and the case is ready for filing with the District Attorney.

 

 

ORIGINAL SIGNED

                                                                                              

LOY L. MCBRIDE, CAPTAIN

NARCOTICS BUREAU