Polished Badge Training
First on Scene
Criminal Investigation Fundamentals for Patrol Officers
Every criminal case starts with the first officer on scene. What patrol does in the first minutes determines what the detective has to work with.
The detective can only build the case you hand over.
This course gives patrol officers the foundation of a sound preliminary investigation: identifying victims, witnesses and suspects, gathering initial information, writing reports that hold up, and handing off a case the investigator can build on.
It is taught by Rich Rodriguez, with more than 40 years of service and more than 24 years in investigations, through photos and video from real cases that show what the first officer did right, and what was lost.
What This Course Covers
- The patrol officer's role in the investigation, and how early actions decide case outcomes
- Initial response: safety, aid, and identifying victims, witnesses and suspects
- Preliminary interviews of victims and witnesses without compromising the case
- Elements of the crime and the facts needed for probable cause
- Field notes and reports that support prosecution
- The handoff: briefing the investigator
- Case studies from real investigations
Course Details
Duration
1 full day · 8 hours
Format
In person. Presentation, real case photos and video, and group discussion.
Audience
Patrol officers of any rank, including newer officers, field training officers, and officers preparing for a future role in investigations.
Instructor
Rich Rodriguez
Price
$175$125per officer
Class Minimum
10 paid officers. Host agencies receive free seats. See how it works
In-Service Hours
8 hours. Every officer receives a Certificate of Completion, and we provide the attendance roster for your POST records.
"40 years of service. What Rich teaches, he lived."
Polished Badge
Officers leave knowing exactly what to do when they are the first one there, and how to hand the investigator a case that can be built on.
The case starts with the first officer.
Give your patrol officers the foundation before their next call. Let us bring this training to your department.
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