Processing

Processing:

Whilst dealing with a suspect, or 10-95 officers should treat the suspect respectfully, and in a professional manner. Etiquette is an important part of being an officer and is required to be taught and enforced to cadets when they join.

When processing a suspect, it is important to follow a set criterion of things that need to be carried out. Once an officer puts a suspect in cuffs it is then their responsibility to process and handle that suspect (unless decided otherwise). The suspect should be:

• Searched

• Read their rights

• GSR test (if necessary)

• Placed in the vehicle and escorted to VPD

• Fingerprint scan

• Search again when in cells

• Checked for licenses/ removed necessary

• Told their charges and find out their plea

• Fined

• Handed back items, i.e., phone/radio

• Sent to prison

• File any evidence collected

This process helps to ensure reports are kept to high standard and the correct procedures are being followed.

Suspects MUST be read their rights when processed:

• Miranda vs Arizona: A suspect must be read their rights. Evidence obtained through interrogation or questioning cannot be used at a trial unless the prosecution demonstrated the warnings were given and knowingly waved.

• Brown vs Mississippi: Evidence obtained through confession of suspect inflicted by torture or violence cannot be used.

• Mapp vs Ohio: Unlawful evidence collected cannot be used in prosecution.

• Through the poisonous tree: If evidence is collected illegally, it is not usable in court.

Spontaneous utterance: When a confession is made with no prompts, it can be used in evidence even if rights have not been read.