Message From Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown

The Investigative Process, Integrity and Justice

The Franklinton Police Department and other agencies receive frequent inquiries and often social media criticisms regarding criminal or civil issues.

In order to dispel misinformation and be as transparent as possible, without negatively affecting the investigative process, we are providing the following information.

When a law enforcement agency receives a complaint, the first step is the initial report, this can be done in person or over the phone. 

The report is assigned a tracking number by our dispatchers and the reporting officer begins the evidence collection process. If the case requires further investigation, it's assigned to the investigations division.

Once an investigator is assigned a case, it is their responsibility to further the investigative process. This process can include speaking with the initial reporting officer, interviewing witnesses, collecting video, crime lab submittals, search warrants, search and seizures, victim interviews, suspect interviews, arrest warrants, and a myriad of other investigative techniques to develop a prosecutable case and/or determine if a violation of the law has been committed. Cases involving juveniles are exceptionally complex and require more specialized care.

Often times, the public may be aware of a complaint which has been filed and public opinion demands an arrest be made immediately. Although we understand the sentiment, taking premature action is problematic on many levels and can adversely affect the outcome of a case or worse, an innocent person can be subjected to the criminal justice system without due process.

Simply because an arrest isn't made immediately or our agency doesn't make a press release regarding the situation, doesn't mean "nothing is being done" or "it's just another cover-up." To the contrary, it means we are diligently following the investigative process. Despite the public's desire for unfettered information, we will not compromise the integrity of an investigation for the sole intent of feeding social media timelines, clicks, likes, or being first to break the story. Doing so is irresponsible, unjust and a violation of the oath we swore to protect.

The investigative process takes time, a lot of time, and a lot of manpower. Several factors determine how expedient or prolonged a case may take to investigate and this is often out of the control of the investigator. Victim cooperation and search warrants involving computers, video, cell phones, and other data sources are the most time-consuming.

I often have conversations with people who question "why nothing has been done." I explain to them, that things are being done, you just aren't priviledge to the information and it doesn't fall within your perceived timeline of how fast you believe it should go. This can be frustrating for them and for us as well. We all want justice to be served in a fair and impartial manner. I convey to them, "What if this were you and you were the subject of our investigation. Would you want us to arrest you at the onset of a complaint, without collecting all the evidence, without following the investigative process, and without affording you due process?" "Would you want your picture posted on social media or in the news, followed by a story detailing what someone else said you did without sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim? Or, would you prefer we follow the law, consult with our District Attorney, present inculpatory/exculpatory evidence, and potentially prove your innocence? What if we conduct a lackluster investigation and the defendant isn't held to account because we hurried the process? I am morally certain we all desire justice. Despite a person's guilt or innocence, our nation and the rule of law are founded on these principles.

Public opinion and social media posts do not dictate the manner in which justice is served or the expediency an arrest is made, at least not by an agency that maintains a high degree of integrity with regard to the investigative process.

Rest assured, the Franklinton Police Department takes every complaint seriously. If we haven't commented on a matter, this is often an indication the case is high profile in nature. We will provide information to the public when evidence is available and it does not or will not effect our ability to gather additional evidence or otherwise present a prosecutable case to the District Attorney.

In closing, social media and media outlets can be a positive source of information, when used appropriately and when facts are presented. Unfortunately, we now live in a society where anyone can say what they want, truth aside, for the sole intent of "you heard it here first." Opinions, lacking in fact, procedure and law are just that, opinions. They must be taken with a degree of relevance, absent a degree of experience, information, and accountability.

God Bless,

Chief Justin Brown