Criminal Investigations Division
Contact: 828.694.2757
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is the investigative arm of the Sheriff’s Office. The primary goal of criminal investigation involves the study of facts to identify, apprehend, and convict offenders of crime. Secondary goals include eliminating innocent persons from suspicion, recovering stolen property, and gathering intelligence information for the purpose of further suppressing crime. A complete criminal investigation can include conducting surveillance, searches, interviews, interrogations, and evidence collection and preservation, as well as working in an undercover capacity and managing confidential informants. Serious crimes reported that cannot readily be solved by responding patrol deputies due to complexity, time lapse, time requirements, or lack of readily available witness information are generally investigated by units of CID. Detectives work closely with prosecuting attorneys in order to ensure successful prosecution of criminal offenders.
The units that comprise CID each require specialized training, a good overall experience in investigative techniques, and a solid knowledge of applicable laws of arrest, search, and seizure. In addition, within CID it is not uncommon for various detectives to be cross-trained as SWAT members, K-9 handlers, bomb technicians, polygraph examiners, and Clandestine Lab Operators.
CID, led by the CID Captain, is comprised of distinctive investigative units, each directly supervised by a Sergeant, who reports to the CID Lieutenant. Each CID unit specializes in conducting investigations of specific criminal offenses.
In addition to investigative units, CID is supported by a Victim Assistance Coordinator who serves as a liaison between victims, witnesses, the charging deputies, the jail, and the District Attorney’s Office, the Court, and any applicable victim advocacy agencies for all matters pertaining to cases involving such victims/witnesses. The Victim Assistance Coordinator ensures that quality service is provided to victims of and witnesses to crimes, whether investigated by this or other agencies. The Victim Assistance Coordinator reports to the CID Captain.
CID Units:
° Crime Analysis Section
The Crime Analysis Section compiles statistical information regarding committed crime in Henderson County and then conducts systematic analysis of said statistics for identifying and analyzing patterns and trends in crime. By identifying patterns and trends in crime, the Sheriff’s Office is not only able to appropriately deploy resources in a more effective manner, but the developed intelligence assists detectives in identifying and apprehending suspects.
° Crime Suppression Unit (CSU)
In early 2018 the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) was formed to provide the Sheriff’s Office with a proactive, results-oriented unit that conducts short-term investigations of identified repeat offenders, to include domestic violence offenders, and provides greater law enforcement presence and visibility within identified higher crime areas of Henderson County. CSU works to reduce crime in those areas, to complement the investigations of other CID units, and to serve outstanding arrest warrants, all in support of the Sheriff’s Office’s Strategic Plans.
° Drug Enforcement Team (DET)
The Drug Enforcement Team (DET) is composed of detectives who conduct short-term to long-term investigations of criminal elements and organizations who illegally manufacture, transport and/or distribute controlled substances within Henderson County, as well as those who financially benefit from the illicit financial gains of this illegal activity. DET detectives work closely with other units within the Sheriff’s Office, as well as with other local, state and federal law enforcement partners tasked with the suppression of illegal drugs and related activities. In addition to its enforcement responsibilities, DET also works with local pharmacies and health care providers in providing awareness regarding diversion and abuse of controlled substances.
° Forensics Services Section
The Forensic Services Section is responsible for locating, collecting, preserving, and analyzing physical evidence at crime scenes. Crime scenes vary in size and complexity, and can be processed in a multitude of investigations, such as crimes involving property theft, violence, and death investigations. Evidence collected at a crime scene may consist of latent fingerprints, shoe impressions, tire tracks, body fluids, fired projectiles, shell casings, hair and fiber evidence, and other items having evidential value linking a particular individual to a particular crime.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory, through the use of the computerized Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), has the ability to compare and match latent fingerprints recovered at crime scenes with latent fingerprints populated within the AFIS database.
Forensics is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in law enforcement, with new techniques and technological innovations constantly emerging. It is now possible to develop and analyze physical evidence and identify suspects using procedures and instruments that are housed within the Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Laboratory. Through the abilities of the Forensic Services Section, deputies and detectives are able to clear cases through the application of science.
° Property Crimes Unit (PCU)
The detectives assigned to the Property Crimes Unit (PCU) investigate such crimes as breaking and entering, thefts, larcenies, frauds and forgeries, receiving and selling of stolen property, obtaining property by false pretense, white collar crimes, burglaries, and financial crimes against the elderly. PCU, along with members of the Patrol Division, participates weekly in crime analysis meetings which focus on identifying crime trends within Henderson County and developing a plan of action to address the identified trends.
° Violent Crimes Unit (VCU)
The Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) Sergeant oversees detectives responsible for investigating crimes which involve serious assaults and threats of violence, to include sexual assaults of adults and children, homicide and other death investigations, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
The Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) Sergeant also oversees detectives and deputies assigned to the Special Victims Unit (SVU). The SVU maintains the county Sex Offender Registry and investigates violations of this registry. The SVU also directs the Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Initiative, which involves entering all court ordered Domestic Violence Protective Orders (50Bs), and identifying and targeting repeat offenders, in conjunction with CID’s Crime Suppression Unit.
Members work closely with the Department of Social Services, the Family Justice Center, Children's Advocacy Center, Safelight, and various victim advocate groups, as well as the court system to successfully prosecute offenders and serve victims of these crimes.
