Can a member of your family working in law enforcement investigate another member of their own family in a criminal investigation?
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Can a member of your family working in law enforcement investigate another member of their own family in a criminal investigation?
Doesn’t that constitute a conflict of interest?
Asked on June 4, 2012 under Criminal Law, New Jersey
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
It is well within the rights of a law enforecement officer to perform a criminal investigation of a family member. That officer would have to follow the same ethical rules similar to any other case. However, often times a officer can ask to be reassigned if it appears that there may be a conflict of interest that may call his or her ethics or ability to perform justly and lawfully into question.
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