This 'Officer Involved Shootings' class is open to anyone in Law Enforcement interested in learning about how to correctly handle an OIS from beginning to end. The instructor, Bob Kenney, is currently employed by LASD, assigned to Homicide Bureau, and has over 29 years of service, with 16 years investigating Homicides and Officer Involved Shootings. Bob has handled, or assisted, with over 44 Officer Involved Shootings in which either the suspect or Officer was injured or killed.

This class is designed for patrol and detectives. Anyone dealing with a 'hit' OIS must have the skills to handle what is almost always an overwhelming assignment. From the time you roll to the request for assistance, or are tasked with handling the investigation, you must very quickly establish what has occurred. This will include the facts of what occurred proceeding, during and after the Officer Involved Shooting. This will assist with creating an investigative plan, i.e. is this a man hunt, do we know all parties involved, condition of those wounded. You must learn how to take control of the situation to assure it is handled correctly. Questions such as: how many investigators will we need, logistical requirements, is there perishable evidence, methodologies to be used to secure and document the crime scene(s), victims, suspects, evidence, methods to deal with emotions of the handling officers, friends, family, the media, etc., will all be answered.

The different facets of your investigation will be discussed: criminal, civil, and political, and steps to take during your investigation that will allow you to answer questions for your administration as soon as possible, but not until you are ready to release the information.

Topics covered include:

• Create an investigative plan
• Identify perishable evidence
• Methodologies to document the crime scene, evidence, victims
• Handle crime scene management
• Handle your role as the lead investigator
• Learn to delegate
• Logistics
• Conduct a cognitive interview on victims, witnesses and suspects
• Minefields to locating the truth
• Control emotions: your, witnesses, friends, and family
• Keep your administration informed
• How to be objective
• Determine your focus
• Manhunt; locally, statewide, nationwide; international
• Utilize a public information officer
• Learn your department policies re: OIS
  • Compelled or voluntary statements
  • Union policy
  • Who sits in on interviews
  • Who has control