Criminal harassment

When responding to a criminal harassment situation, consider the following guidelines:

		Interviewing the victim
		Investigating
		Documenting your case
		Victim safety
		Follow-up

Interviewing the victim (Criminal harassment)

Criminal harassment can include telephone calls, letters, email, verbal or physical threats, manipulation of children, and stalking.

1. Treat the complaint seriously.
2. Arrest the suspect immediately if reasonable and probable grounds exist.
3. Interview the victim. Obtain a written statement that includes:
   • why the victim fears for his/her safety
   • how the suspect communicates the threats
   • the suspect's words and actions
   • if the suspect's conduct or words appear harmless, why they are not
   • the history of the victim's relationship with the suspect
   • did they ever live together
4. Profile the suspect:
   • identity, address, car
   • age, sex, description
   • education, employment, marital status
   • mental illness, alcohol, drugs
   • history of threats
   • priors, court orders, parole, reports without conviction

See also Witness or victim interview

Next

Top

Investigating (Criminal harassment)

1. Interview and obtain a written statement from other family members or friends as necessary.
2. Collect evidence such as written threats.
3. Instruct the victim to keep a log of any contact with the suspect:
   • record the time and word-for-word communication with the suspect
   • record the time, place, and details of sightings
4. Ask for help from the phone companies to trace and record phone threats.
5. Prepare a chronological report of the harassment showing the pattern of behaviour.
6. Contact the closest crime unit for assistance.

Next

Top

Documenting your case (Criminal harassment)

Document the following to build your case:

• the impact of the harassment on the victim
• whether the victim is particularly vulnerable
• the exact words of the suspect's threats
• how the suspect perceives the relationship
• whether the suspect has threatened others
• where and when the harassment took place
• pre-existing bail, prohibition orders, parole certificate, or peace bond
• whether the suspect has psychiatric problems or abuses drugs or alcohol
• any property damage, mischief, vandalism, or theft

Next

Top

Victim safety (Criminal harassment)

1. Treat the complaint seriously.
2. Consider surveillance and protection.
3. Advise the victim about personal security.
4. Investigate the suspect to assess the seriousness of the threat.
5. Consider restraining orders, search and seizure of firearms.
6. Refer the victim to community support services.
7. Arrest the suspect immediately if reasonable and probable grounds exist.

Next

Top

Follow-up (Criminal harassment)

1. Describe the victim's danger at the show cause hearing.
2. Consult the victim and prepare a victim impact statement for the bail hearing.
3. Notify the victim immediately if the suspect is released.

See also Witness or victim interview

See also Arrest without a warrant

Top