Independent police investigations

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Services performed:

Intravaia will assist the Office of Police Accountability or the Office of the Independent Police Auditor in investigating complaints or allegations of police officer misconduct, including but not limited to officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths, unnecessary or excessive use of force, racial profiling, sexual orientation bias, sexual harassment, the use of deadly force, and suspicious or wrongful deaths.

Intravaia has a strong working knowledge of organizational reforms implemented pursuant to the goals of the 2012 federal Consent Decree in the United States of America v. City of Seattle, 12 Civ. 1282 (JLR). Intravaia ensures that all investigations and associated recommendations are thorough, objective, fair, and completed in a timely manner that comports with all. Intravaia will also provide support in the collection and preparation of data for reporting and will present investigative findings to decision makers in the form of executive summaries and fact finding inquires.

Intravaia has a track record of performing investigative work at a professional level in the field of law, law enforcement, or police oversight. Intravaia has a strong knowledge base of general legal principles, laws and regulations relating to police conduct, police investigations, and the U.S. Constitution. Intravaia understands the concepts of racial equity. We possess outstanding writing abilities, particularly in crafting sound conclusions that are supported by facts. We are skilled and experienced in legal analysis and familiarity with case law applicable to law enforcement and possess superior attention to detail. We conduct investigations in a thorough and timely fashion, including appropriate discretion in the management of confidential information. We are experts at conducting interviews to obtain the facts about an incident under investigations. We are highly skilled in identifying, gathering, reviewing, and analyzing information from a variety of sources, including technical and forensic reports regarding physical evidence. We possess the ability to maintain objectiveness in a highly political environment, and maintain well-organized case files and other materials.

  • We possess advanced methods and techniques of administrative investigations including developing an investigative plan and writing an investigative report.

  • We possess technological skills related to online resources, including but not limited to social media research and social media account maintenance.

  • Strong background of general legal principles, laws and regulations relating to police conduct and police investigations.

  • Strong background of principles and practices of law enforcement.

  • Public safety emergency operations and procedures. Advanced methods and techniques of administrative investigations.

  • Intravaia has a strong understanding of government infrastructure, political dynamics, and budget processes.

  • Intravaia has a strong understanding of community ethnic and socio-economic diversity, and we possess experience working with and valuing the perspectives of diverse groups and individuals.

  • We are highly organized team players who are excellent at project management, able to multitask, able to work independently, and possess a ready and willing-to-work attitude.

07/13/21 NACOLE release:

Report Recommends Standards for Effective Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement

Today, the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) released a first-of-its-kind report detailing a set of evidence-based practices to ensure oversight of law enforcement is effective and sustainable. In the midst of a national movement for police accountability, transparency, and systemic reform, NACOLE’s report, Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement: Report on the State of the Field and Effective Oversight Practices, will serve as a critical resource for communities across the nation considering establishing or strengthening civilian oversight of police, jails, and prisons.

Funded by a 2016 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, NACOLE’s groundbreaking study examines the history and evolution of civilian oversight in the United States, describes different models of oversight agencies, focusing in particular on agencies in nine cities (Atlanta, GA; Cambridge, MA; Denver, CO; Indianapolis, IN; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC), and provides recommendations for developing, implementing, and improving civilian oversight entities. Access to all associated reports can be found at www.NACOLE.org/recent_reports. The grant also funded the creation of a comprehensive database of United States civilian oversight agencies, available online at www.NACOLE.org/COAD.

NACOLE President Susan Hutson said, “By detailing what works and what does not, this report will lead to development of more effective civilian oversight agencies. It provides guidance to community members, law enforcement, elected officials, and others seeking to establish or strengthen civilian oversight mechanisms, which are essential to the task of building public trust in law enforcement.”

Key recommendations for effective oversight agencies include:

  • Political independence

  • Clearly defined and sufficient authority and jurisdiction

  • Adequate funding, staffing, and operational resources

  • Unfettered access to law enforcement records

  • Mandated cooperation of law enforcement personnel

  • Required reporting to bring transparency to complaint, investigative, and disciplinary processes and operations of both civilian oversight and law enforcement agencies

  • Inclusion of diverse stakeholders throughout the process of creating or strengthening civilian oversight agencies