IMMEDIATE ACTION. You should follow all agency protocols. You should not unnecessarily handle any evidence and, if evidence is moved, it should not be returned to the scene. You should not unnecessarily unload/reload weapon or magazines. You should promptly request appropriate medical attention, additional resources, and a supervisor.

SEPARATE INVESTIGATIONS. An officer-involved shooting or death/serious injury will involve separate criminal and administrative investigations. The criminal investigation will begin immediately and may involve an outside agency. The administrative investigation may begin before or after the criminal investigation is complete.

PUBLIC SAFETY STATEMENTS. Voluntary statements you make can be used against you in a criminal prosecution but statements that you are compelled to provide under threat of discharge generally cannot. You should not voluntarily answer questions when asked and should not make any voluntary statements to anyone. You should answer a supervisor’s questions related to immediate public safety concerns only after you are ordered to do so. Such statements should be strictly limited to information related to immediate public safety concerns (information necessary to secure the scene, ensure necessary medical treatment, and facilitate searches for suspects or weapons, etc.). Beyond this, you should not make any statements related to why force was used.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION. Soon after the scene has been secured, you may be: separated from other involved officers; placed under the direct, constant and personal monitoring of another officer; ordered to relinquish your weapon; photographed; tested for gunshot residue; have hair, fiber and DNA collected; ordered to complete drug/alcohol testing; referred for medical examination or treatment; and assigned to administrative leave, or modified duties.

RISK MANAGEMENT. Before your name is made public, you should consider: deleting online information under your control; having your information professionally removed from the Internet; and buying identity theft protection and/or insurance.

VIEWING VIDEO. Investigators and decision-makers should understand memory, perception and other human factors; and must know that an officer’s memory of events may differ significantly from a recording. While it may improve an officer’s ability to recall certain things, there is a great risk that viewing video will introduce thoughts into his/her memory.

VOLUNTARY STATEMENTS. You may be ordered to complete reports, forms or memorandums. As part of the criminal investigation, you may be offered an opportunity to voluntarily provide a written or verbal statement, which may be recorded. The decision as to whether or under what circumstances to make a statement must be carefully considered in light of the facts of the situation. If possible, you should consult with an attorney before making any statements beyond those statements you are ordered to make that relate to immediate public safety concerns.

This should not be construed as advice for any specific situation. Please call for specific legal advice based on the unique facts of your situation.

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