Function:

The Saint Paul Police Department Sexual Violence Unit (S.V.U.) is led by a commander who reports to the deputy chief of major crimes and investigations.

The S.V.U. has three sections: sex crimes, predatory offender registrations and child abuse.

The sex crimes section is charged with the responsibility of investigating all reported cases of criminal sexual conduct, indecent exposure, obscene phone calls, peeper, all other sexual offenses and child abuse. 

Criminal Sexual Conduct:

The Saint Paul Police Department is committed to a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach when investigating all incidents of sexual assault. The Saint Paul Police Department has agreed to the Ramsey County Sexual Assault Protocols. The Ramsey County Sexual Assault Protocols are included in all Saint Paul Police Department police academy sexual assault training.

Officers are to be mindful of the following protocols when responding to sexual assaults:

  • The scene will need to be examined and held for processing for potential evidence.

  • In cases of severe or serious immediate public safety, the Watch Commander (during evening hours) and the Sex Crimes Unit will be called. 

  • If an arrest is made, prior to booking the suspect, officers should immediately contact the Watch Commander and the Sex Crimes Unit to determine whether a medical forensic examination should be conducted on the suspect

  • Officers will exercise tact and utilize a trauma-informed approach in all interviews with victims.

  • A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a qualification for forensic nurses who have received special training to conduct sexual assault evidentiary exams for rape victims.

  • Officers will explain the SANE exam, and its process to the victim. If the victim consents to a SANE exam the officer will accompany the victim to Regions Hospital (or hospital of the victim’s choosing) to meet with the sexual assault nurse. As part of the “SANE” examination evidence will be collected by the SANE nurse from the victim. The SANE nurse will place the recovered evidence into a “CSC kit” which will be turned over to officers as evidence

  • All sexual assault victims will be offered sexual assault victim/survivor advocacy services.

     The Sex Assault Victim Information consent form allows the sharing of the victim’s contact information with Ramsey County Sexual Assault Advocacy (S.O.S). This should be offered to all sexual assault victims.

  • Evidence will be collected at the scene and photographed.

  • Evidence at the hospital/medical facility will need to be collected and turned into the police property lockers or in cases of a CSC kit placed in the refrigerator using the Evidence Manager. 

  • The key for each individual refrigerated evidence locker should be dropped into Property Locker 100 after securing the evidence.

    When the victim is a juvenile, parental consent should be obtained or a juvenile court order is applicable.  Juvenile victims can be brought to Children’s Hospital or Midwest Children’s Resource Center (MCRC) for a more comprehensive child exam.  MCRC accepts children less than 13 years of age for all sexual assaults and under the age of 18 years old if the crime is interfamilial or the crime is committed by a person in authority. Children’s Hospital accepts all juveniles.  All other protocols should be followed in cases where juveniles are victimized.

    If the victim gives indication that they have ingested a so-called “date rape” drug, such as GHB or Rohypnol, the SANE nurse will collect a urine sample from her/him.  This specimen will be placed in a DUI kit issued by the BCA.  Regions will have these kits available on site.  Once complete, the DUI kit will be turned over to the officer along with the CSC kit.  Both kits must be submitted into the property room using the Evidence Manager under the same case numbers and turned into the CSC refrigerator in the property room.

    Child Abuse, Battering or Abandonment:

    (See General Order 437.02: Use of Detention and Arrest)

    The original officers responding to the call should obtain the necessary information for an original report. Information should include a specific description of the child’s injuries or suspected injuries, the victim’s account of what happened (if old enough to talk), statements or information obtained from possible witnesses, relevant information from available others who know the family, the circumstances as to how the abuse was discovered and reported, etc.

    The officer who takes the initial report of an assault or criminal sexual conduct on a child must deliver a copy of that report and a copy of the child protection worker’s child abuse outline to the S.V.U.

    Photographs of visible injuries must be taken, preferably at the scene if the injuries do not require immediate medical care, rather than at the hospital. Photographs can also be taken of the scene if evidence is present or the cause of injury can be clarified.

    The officer can take the child into immediate custody (Minnesota Statute 260C.175) if the officer reasonably believes the child is in “surroundings or conditions which endanger the child’s health or welfare.” This decision should be based upon one or all of the following:

  • The police officer’s professional opinion based upon experience.

  • A physician’s report and recommendation.

  • Other professional information or advice.

    When an officer decides to place a hold on a child under the age of 12, the child must be transported to Children’s Hospital emergency room for examination prior to placement in an emergency shelter home. The officer will call the numbers posted in the emergency room for an available shelter home and complete a detention form. The pink copy of the form will be sent to the juvenile unit and all remaining copies presented to the shelter home staff when the child is delivered. If the child to be placed is 13 years of age or older, a decision to place a hold on the child will be made by the S.V.U., the juvenile unit, (or the watch commander when the juvenile unit is closed). It is important that every effort is made to notify the parent or guardian that the child has been taken into custody and this should be noted in the report.

    Officers should determine if the child needs medical attention.  The child should be taken to a medical facility preferably Children’s Hospital and/or MCRC for a medical evaluation.

    Revised September 30, 2019

Last Edited: October 11, 2019