NCJ Number
167315
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Dated: (February-April 1997) Pages: 17-19
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Written witness protection policies and procedures are needed to ensure witnesses are protected from reprisals for their testimony.
Abstract
Although there is general agreement on the need to protect witnesses from retaliation, questions remain on how to protect witnesses and under what circumstances and on who is responsible and pays for witness protection. Prosecutors should not put the life of a witness in jeopardy in order to obtain a conviction, in part because significant liability to both police agencies and prosecutors may result. The San Diego District Attorney's Office has adopted a formal protocol and a paper trail to ensure accountability in operating its witness protection program. This protocol requires a written request for witness relocation that must be accompanied by a relocation package. A central feature of the protocol is that all security measures must be documented. In addition, after the relocation and all expenses are accounted for, the file must be forwarded to a specific centralized location for permanent filing. Features of the protocol and the witness relocation agreement are described, and questions that must be answered early in the witness protection process are noted.