Resident urges council to require standardized police investigative procedures after alleged mishandling

A Riverton resident urged the City Council on Sept. 16 to direct the police department to adopt clear, standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for investigations after he said an investigating officer failed to interview an eyewitness in his own burglary case. Zeke Goddard, who identified himself and his home address during public comment, said he met with police and that a lieutenant told him the investigating officer had conducted a thorough investigation. Goddard told the council he disagreed and said the officer had not interviewed an available eyewitness despite being given the witnesss name. He told the council the lieutenant said he was unaware of the witness. "Without clear procedures in place, important steps are missed," Goddard said, asking the council to put the matter on a future agenda and to direct the police department to develop and report back on standardized investigative procedures. Council members said they would follow up. City staff asked for the resident to provide further details to enable staff review; the mayor and council members acknowledged the concern and asked staff to return with recommendations for whether SOPs or policy clarifications were warranted. No formal motion or directive was made at the meeting other than commitments to follow up and evaluate whether a council agenda item to direct the police department is appropriate.