When a report is made to the police, the first obligation of the police is to make an official record of the persons visit to the police and what was the nature of the visit.
After which the police will examine the content of your story to see if the nature of the report constitutes an offence for which the police has Jurisdiction over Criminal. Please take note, the police has Jurisdiction only over those offences that constitutes criminal offences, infractions and violation.
There are some offences that the police has Jurisdiction over that he cannot deal with unless he witnessed it himself.
Then the police must informed the person if that report meets the criteria of reports the police are authorized to deal with. If it is not the police must informed the persons of that fact and give them further but basic information as to what other steps they can take.
The police should basically say to the person, the report you are making is a civil matter, the police don't have the authority to deal with civil matter. You should to contact a lawyer or the court, the court staff can direct you on how to file a civil case without a lawyer." It is important to note; the police is not to tell the person which lawyer to go to, etc.
If the report falls under the class of reports the police has authority to deal with, when a report is made, he must informed the person on the police policy on dealing with such offences, and find out what the complainant will have the police do on their behalf.
The complainant wishes must be followed except for cases of Rape, domestic abuse, child abuse and of course murder. All of the above category of offences must be investigated regardless if the complainant wants the police to or not.
The next step that should be taken is: a written and signed record of the persons story must be made, an investigate must be carried out to determine it the report or what part of the report that was made is the truth. after the investigation a decision will be made if to
prosecute or not.
