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Expert: - 2/21/2006


Question
Hi
I am writing a screenplay involving the kidnapping of a daughter of a wealthy businessman leaving a ransom note.
I was just wondering if you could tell me what the typical police procedure would be in a high profile case?

who would be the officer in charge / leading the investigation?

Would they be interested in looking at the girl's journal to find out if she had noticed anything out of the ordinary in the days before the kidnapping or is this unlikely?

Would the phones be tapped for the kidnappers call?

I would be very grateful for any information you could give me on this subject.

Many thanks
Nikki

Answer
Nikki,

    I have helped many authors and people writing screenplays in the past.  You have asked about a kidnapping involving a wealthy famiy.  You need to realize that there is no standard police manual or operating system for handling crime just as there no standard way of treating a broken leg.  Every case is different and every juristiction and police department might operate in a different way.

  Even if I knew if this was a big city department, a suburban county department, a small time sheriffs department in the south, or a little town in the midwest it would not help me in telling you who would be in charge.  You might be surprised to know that its not like the movies or tv where some chief or high ranking officer is in charge because they probably have no idea what they are doing.

  Yes they would be interested in looking in the girls journal or email.

  I am sure that the police would get a court order for a wiretap of the telephone.

  Let me know if you have any more questions.

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Jack Toomey

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U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

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Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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