What to Expect Talking to Law Enforcement

REPORTING OPTIONS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

McMinnville Police Department

(503) 434-7307 // 911, 24 Hours

Portland Police Department

503-823-3333 // 911, 24 Hours

Linfield Public Safety

McMinnville: 503-883-SAFE (7233)

Portland: 971-369-4200

lps@linfield.edu 

In case of emergency, dial 911.

Complainants may file reports with the University and local law enforcement. The University will not require someone to speak with law enforcement officials but strongly recommends that all Complainants who have experienced a criminal offense report to local law enforcement agencies.

The filing and process for addressing sexual harassment with a law enforcement entity is a separate process than the University’s. In most cases, the University will not wait for a conclusion from any criminal investigation or impending court proceedings, except in cases where the University temporarily delays its investigation while criminal investigators gather evidence. Law enforcement’s determination of whether to initiate prosecution will not affect the University’s decision to charge a Respondent through the University’s resolution process. Individuals interested in contacting local law enforcement can contact Public Safety for assistance.

EVIDENCE PRESERVATION

Preserving evidence is crucial for a successful criminal investigation and prosecution, especially in incidents related to sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence, and stalking.  Evidence collection does not require someone to file a police report, but preserving evidence allows for options. For the purposes of evidence collection, it is recommended that a person avoid eating/drinking, showering, brushing their teeth or changing clothes. Even if these things have occurred, evidence can still be collected, and it remains important to seek medical attention.

Medical treatment can provide care for injuries and for potential exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. They also provide emergency contraception and other health services.

Harmed persons and witnesses should save any text messages, emails, voicemails, social media posts, screenshots, photographs, and other forms of evidence. Physical evidence, such as clothing or objects at the scene, should be secured in a paper (not plastic) bag or cardboard box to prevent deterioration.

Public Safety is available to help preserve evidence and provide guidance on the steps to take. Reporting to law enforcement is not mandatory; however, it is strongly encouraged, as doing so can help with the preservation of evidence and ensure access to protective measures and support services.

What to expect:

When talking with law enforcement, it can be helpful to know what to expect and to understand their process. A great deal of effort has gone into training law enforcement to create and operate survivor-centered process.

Privacy: when discussing what happened with law enforcement, it should happen in quiet area away from others. Individuals can request a location change if they are concerned for their privacy and/or feel uneasy in the space.

Timeline: the initial reporting process can take time. This is normal. Additional interviews with law enforcement may last a while as well, and they may occur over an extended period of time.

Taking breaks: law enforcement officials understand that this is a stressful process. If an individual needs water, a snack, or just a minute to breathe, they should ask for a break.

Questions: because of the nature of sexual assault, some questions can feel uncomfortable or intrusive. It can help to remember that law enforcement officers are professionals, just like doctors and teachers, and are prepared to listen to what happened.  Law enforcement may also ask the same questions several times or in several different ways. It’s not because they don’t trust or believe the reporter — after a trauma it can be difficult to describe the details. Repeating a question or asking in a different way may prompt someone to remember something they forgot the first time.

Share: try to provide as much information as you can up front with detectives so that they can create a full picture of the situation.  Sometimes, people withhold information because they are worried they will get in trouble and that negatively impacts the case later in the process.

Support: It can be helpful and comforting to have support when communicating with law enforcement, this includes access to a trained advocate or someone you trust. 

Information that goes into a report:

When law enforcement files a report, it includes the case tracking number and a written narrative based on the interview(s) with the harmed individual. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, some aspects of the report will include:¹

• Description of the assault: details about what occurred; sensory experiences, such as what the individual saw, smelled, tasted, heard or felt during the assault; the individual’s exact words or phrases, quoted directly; details of voluntary alcohol or drug use that demonstrate why this is an issue of increased vulnerability rather than culpability.
• Indication of force: coercion, threats, and/or force and the harmed individual’s response during and after; signs of fear including fight, flight, or freeze reactions.
• Lack of consent: what “no” looked or felt like for the individual — noting that silence is not consent and “no” or resistance is communicated through more than just words; any details that show how a consensual encounter turned non consensual.
• Signs of premeditation: any interactions that might indicate premeditation or grooming behavior by the perpetrator.
• Timeline and response: a timeline to show trauma behavior in context of previous behavior, such as weight loss or gain, changes in routine; documentation of the harmed individual’s condition as observed.