Who is responsible for investigating a police shooting incident when an officer discharges their firearm?

In the context of a police shooting incident where an officer discharges their firearm, it is typically the detective division responsible for conducting the investigation. This division is specifically trained to handle sensitive and complex cases, including those involving officer-involved shootings. Their expertise is crucial in collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and ensuring that the investigation adheres to legal and procedural standards.

The detective division's role is to maintain objectivity and integrity throughout the investigation, which is essential to uphold public trust and accountability. They gather all relevant facts surrounding the incident, analyze the circumstances leading to the shooting, and determine whether the use of force was justified based on department policy and law.

In contrast, the internal affairs division usually focuses on investigating complaints of misconduct within the police department, which might include issues stemming from the shooting but does not typically take the lead on the initial investigative aspects of a shooting incident itself. The officer involved in the incident is typically not responsible for investigating their actions, and the patrol division generally handles the immediate response to the incident rather than conducting the thorough follow-up inquiry.