Sample Investigative Report

______COUNTY SCHOOLS

INVESTIGATION REPORT

(CONFIDENTIAL)

To: ______[Attorney, if involved otherwise Superintendent]

From: ______

Re: John Young [Employee who was investigated]

The undersigned was designated to conduct an investigation of alleged misconduct involving the above referenced employee. The initial information that served as a basis for this investigation was provided by Student Mary Jones [Identify person or persons who supplied information of possible misconduct] and consisted of [an oral statement and/or a written statement attached hereto as Appendix A].

The investigation was initiated on ______, and concluded on ______. The investigation was delayed for a period of two weeks due to the unavailability of Student Mary Jones, a potential witness. All potential witnesses have been interviewed and are listed as follows:

  • Student Mary Jones (15 year old 8th grade student)(344 9087)
  • Student Linda Smith(15 year old 8th grade student)(345 6120)
  • Principal Alex More (342 8978)
  • Kim Smith (mother of Linda Smith) (345 6120)
  • Sgt. Larry Kyle (W. Va. State Police handwriting expert) (722 6662)
  • Employee John Young was contacted on ______, but declined to be interviewed. (346 2574)

The documents that were reviewed are listed as follows:

  • Unsigned, undated handwritten note and envelope with the name "Linda" handwritten as the addressee.
  • Handwritten note dated 11 501 from "Linda" to "Mary."
  • Report from Sgt. Kyle dated January 25, 2002.

The following object has also been secured and place under lock in the school office:

  • A Caller ID device from the Smith home with stored numbers for the period 11-1-01 to 11 20 01.

Findings of Fact

  • Beginning in mid November 2001 Student Linda Smith began to spend her lunch periods in Mr. Young’s classroom. On some occasions she was accompanied by fellow student Mary Jones. Student Jones noticed that Mr. Young began to tease Student Smith about her dating habits. These facts are supported by the written statement of Student Jones, attached hereto as Exhibit B.
  • On November 5, 2001, during 5th period, Student Smith gave a handwritten note to Student Jones that describes the existence of a romantic relationship between Student Smith and Mr. Young. The note also mentioned the existence of a note from Mr. Young to Student Smith.
  • Student Jones met with Principal More the following day and shared the note with him.
  • Principal More summoned Student Smith and confronted her with the information that he had received. Student Smith denied any improper relationship. Principal More requested that he be permitted to search Student Smith’s book bag. Student Smith reluctantly consented to the search. Principal More discovered an envelope addressed to "Linda" that contained an unsigned, undated note. The note is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
  • Student Smith stated that she knew nothing about the note in her book bag and continued to deny any improper relationship with Mr. Young.
  • The unsigned, undated note appeared to Principle More to be in the handwriting of Mr. Young. The contents of the note suggested an attempt by the author to cultivate a romantic relationship with the recipient. The note concluded with the statement: "Please destroy this note."
  • Principle More then summoned Mr. Young and confronted him with the information that he had received. Mr. Young denied any improper relationship with Student Smith and denied that he was the author of the unsigned, undated note.
  • After consulting with the Superintendent, it was decided that Mr. Young be suspended with pay effective November 7, 2001. As of the date of this report Mr. Young remains suspended with pay. Principal More’s actions are supported in a letter to the Superintendent dated November 7, 2001, attached hereto as Exhibit D.
  • The unsigned, undated note, along with several handwriting examples that were written by Mr. Young, were supplied to the State Police for analysis. A report from Sgt. Kyle indicates that based upon the analysis, there is a high probability that Mr. Young is the author of the unsigned, undated note. Sgt. Kyle’s report is attached hereto as "Exhibit E."
  • Mrs. Kim Smith was interviewed on November 20, 2001. Mrs. Smith indicated that her daughter had been receiving late night telephone call from the residence of a "J. Young" with the number "346 2574." Mrs. Smith had assumed that Linda had been talking with a classmate. Mrs. Smith consented to disconnect the Caller ID and allow it to be used as evidence. The Caller ID reflects a total of 5 telephone calls from the residence of Mr. Young. The dates and times of the calls are listed on Exhibit F.

Opinions

  • Mr. Young has attempted to cultivate a romantic relationship with Student Linda Smith. There is no evidence to support the existence of a physical relationship. A determination on this issue may only be forthcoming if Student Smith consents to cooperate with the investigation.

Recommendation

Based upon the evidence that has been collected, it is recommenced that the Superintendent consider a recommendation of disciplinary action to the Board.

Date: ______, 20__

______
[Signatue]