This course provides you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to conduct civil investigations. It helps you create and conduct legally sound and defensible work. The course will not focus on agency-specific investigative RCWs, WACs, or policies and procedures. It is specifically tailored to address challenges faced by regulatory personnel in conducting complaint investigations and agency compliance work.

Performance Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand scope of authority and the legal framework (IRAC) for conducting civil investigations.
• Analyze complaints, strategize, and develop investigative plans.
• Examine investigator demeanor and understand its impact.
• Recognize conflicts of interest and other ethics concerns.
• Understand tort and personal liability for errors.
• Know what information is relevant.
• Understand the difference between civil and criminal investigations.
• Respect constitutional rights, including privacy and rights of entry, and understand your limits as a government investigator.
• Properly gather, document, and maintain evidence.
• Deal with escalating behavior and maximize physical safety.
• Provide referrals when appropriate.
• Understand the basics of public disclosure and confidentiality.
• Confidently provide investigator testimony.

Intended Audience: State employees who routinely conduct civil regulatory investigations.

HR personnel and those involved in misconduct investigations should enroll in the Misconduct Investigator Training class, specifically tailored for internal employee misconduct investigations. Supervisors and managers who may occasionally be requested to conduct or assist in internal administrative investigations of employee misconduct should seek guidance from their Human Resources Office.