Multi-jurisdictional Major Case Investigations

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Definitions

Director: The Director of Police Services referred to in section 39 (1) of the Police Act.

Investigative Team: Police officers and civilian staff assigned to a Major Case investigation on a permanent or temporary basis, including the Command Triangle.

Joint Forces Operation: A multi-jurisdictional Investigative Team, made up of police officers from various jurisdictions, established to assume responsibility for the investigation of a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case or common mandate.

Joint Management Team: A group of senior Officers representing the police services involved in a Joint Forces Operation, responsible for providing oversight to the Team Commander(s) and updates police services as needed on the status of the investigation.

Lead Investigative Agency: A police service or integrated team of police officers with primary responsibility for a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case.

Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case: A Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case where there is agreement among the involved police agencies that the investigations are related and some level of coordination is required, which could range from regular communication and information sharing to the establishment of a Joint Forces Operation.

Major Case: For the purpose of these Standards, includes:

(a) The types of investigations listed in Standard (1) of BCPPS 5.2.1 Threshold and Reporting; 
(b) Any other investigation, including  a type or category of investigation, or a particular investigation, which the Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner, or a delegate thereof, has determined, with due regard to the factors listed in Standard (3) of BCPPS 5.2.1 Threshold and Reporting, requires Major Case Management.

Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case: Two or more defined Major Cases, occurring in two or more policing jurisdictions, where the same offender(s) is likely responsible for the commission of the offences.

Partner Investigative Agencies: Other police services involved in a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case.

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Standards

Protocol

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(1) The police service has entered into a written protocol with all other police services in British Columbia concerning Multi-Jurisdictional Major Cases, which addresses, at minimum:

(a) The process to be followed and the actions to be taken by involved agencies when a Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case is suspected;
(b) The process to be followed and the actions to be taken when there is agreement among the involved agencies that the cases are related and investigative efforts will be coordinated (hereinafter referred to as a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case investigation);
(c) The criteria or circumstances in which the implementation of a Joint Forces Operation will be considered;
(d) A checklist of matters to be considered and addressed as required when establishing a Joint Forces Operation, including, where appropriate, sample wording that may be used to establish the terms for a particular Joint Forces Operation under Standard (4), below;
(e) The process to be followed when consensus cannot be reached on any decision with respect to a Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case, including but not limited to the decision as to whether or not the cases are related;
(f) Provisions for ongoing liaison and review with respect to the protocol.

(2) The protocol under Standard (1) above is approved by the Director.

Responsibilities of involved agencies during a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case Investigation

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(3) During a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case investigation where a Joint Forces Operation will not be established, a senior officer is assigned responsibility for coordinating information sharing and the integration of investigative efforts between the involved agencies, as appropriate.

(4) During a Linked, Multi-Jurisdictional Major Case investigation where a Joint Forces Operation will be established, the terms by which the Joint Forces Operation will be conducted, funded and governed are set out in writing, including, at minimum, the following:

(a) Objectives and scope of the investigation;
(b) Identification of the Lead and Partner Investigative Agencies;
(c) Identification of the Team Commander;
(d) Responsibilities of the Joint Management Team and the Investigative Team;
(e) Resources, funding and equipment;
(f) Organizational chart;
(g) Contingency planning, revisions to the letter of agreement, dispute resolution;
(h) Reporting;
(i) File coordination;
(j) Disclosure;
(k) Report to Crown Counsel; and
(l) Command post/project room.

(5) The operational plan is submitted to the Joint Management Team for approval.

(6) Business rules are established for the investigation.

(7) The Joint Management Team is regularly apprised of the investigative activities and results, human and other resource needs, and the financial standing of the investigation.

(8) Final reports are prepared consistent with the terms established for the Joint Forces Operation, as required under Standard (4)(h) above.

Policies and procedures

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(9) Policies and procedures are consistent with these BC Provincial Policing Standards.