Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure
Identity Theft 		Effective Date: 10/15/2010
Policy Number: PP-8212
 
  1. Policy

    Identity theft crimes represent a serious economic threat for both financial institutions and persons whose identifying information has been illegally obtained and used. The Lakewood Police Department recognizes the impact of Identity Theft crimes on our community and shall take those measures necessary to record and, when feasible, investigate Identity Theft complaints, assist victims in contacting related investigative and consumer protection agencies, and work with other federal, state and local law enforcement and reporting agencies to identify and investigate fraud suspects. We will also engage in fraud prevention activities as resources permit. 

    Definition:

    Identity Theft is the wrongful acquisition, possession or use of identifying information of another, to include personal or financial, in order to commit financial and other fraud-related crimes. 
  2. Procedure
    1. The elements of Identity Theft are described under Colorado Criminal Code, C.R.S. 18-5-902. Additional fraud-related crimes are described in the Colorado Criminal Code, Article 5, Offenses Involving Fraud. 
    2. Taking Crime Reports
      1. Sworn and trained civilian police personnel are authorized to take crime reports on Identity Theft or related fraud crimes. 
      2. A person who knows or reasonably suspects that their identifying information has been unlawfully used by another person may initiate a law enforcement investigation by contacting the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the victim's residence or over the place where the crime was committed. (CRS 16-5-103) In such circumstances, the Lakewood Police shall take a police report, provide the victim a copy of the report and begin an investigation.      
      3. The use of Out of Jurisdiction, In Jurisdiction and misdemeanor citizen self reports, following our established reporting criteria, may be used to meet Identity Theft reporting requirements. 
    3. The Lakewood Police Department recognizes the difficulty Identity Theft victims may encounter repairing the damage caused by fraudulent acts against them and will take reasonable steps to assist victims in resolving the problem. This includes providing victims with the following suggestions where appropriate. 
      1. Close any accounts (bank, credit) that have been compromised.
      2. File a report with either your local police or the jurisdiction where the crime took place. 
      3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports. 
      4. Monitor your bank and credit account status through Internet access if possible. 
      5. Reduce the availability of your personal information to unauthorized persons. 
    4. Identity Theft frequently is a multi-jurisdictional crime requiring the resources of several law enforcement agencies to accomplish successful case prosecution. Our police agency will actively share case information and attempt to coordinate Identity Theft investigations with other agencies. Information-sharing may be accomplished by:
      1. Active participation with multi-jurisdictional Identity Theft investigative teams. 
      2. Participation with joint law-enforcement/banking teams such as the Bank Fraud Task Force. 
      3. Participation with collaborative law enforcement informational groups that feature sharing of suspect information electronically. 
    5. Public information

      Where reasonable and appropriate, police department personnel in the course of their regular duties, while engaged in public education, community crime prevention or similar speaking events shall provide the public with information on the nature and prevention of Identity Theft. When possible, police shall attempt to alert others to fraud scams having a potential adverse community impact.   

PP-8220 - Fugitive Warrant Administration