Sarasota Police Department
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The Sarasota Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division has four Investigative Sections: General Crimes, Crimes Against Children, White Collar, and Strategic Investigations. Each section consists of specialized units that investigate crimes related to their expertise. This Division has two support units: Criminalistics and Victim Advocate.
The primary function of the Criminal Investigation Division is to conduct follow-up investigations of reported crimes. These investigations consist of interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses; analyzing information for validity, reliability, and accuracy; and compiling a comprehensive and factual case file to be presented in court.
Specially trained civilian staff conduct crime analysis, investigative support duties, and victim assistance. Detectives are selected through a formal process and receive additional investigative training because of their assignment.
GENERAL CRIMES/CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN/WHITE COLLAR
The General Crimes Unit is responsible for investigating crimes such as Homicides, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Sexual Battery, Robbery, Home Invasion, Kidnapping, Burglary, and Grand Theft. This unit also monitors pawns, secondhand dealers, and scrap metal recyclers.
The Crimes Against Children Unit investigates all crimes against children under the age of 18 to include locating runaways and sexual offenders/predators in the city limits.
The White-Collar Unit investigates crimes such as identify theft, fraud, and embezzlement.
CRIMINALISTICS
This unit is responsible for the investigation of crime scenes and the physical evidence collected. These technicians respond to various crime scenes and handle the photography, collecting and preserving of evidence, collecting video, processing items for latent prints, and comparing latent prints. Their casework includes written and photo documentation, latent print evaluation and comparison, preparation and transportation of items for outside lab submissions, writing detailed reports and testifying in court.
STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS UNIT (SIU)
The Strategic Investigations Unit has the primary responsibility to investigate both street-level and mid to upper-level narcotic violations occurring in the City of Sarasota. Each Detective is responsible to follow up and investigate all types of narcotic violations. The goals of this unit are as follows:
- Reduce street level drug sales within the City of Sarasota
- Address citizen concerns received from the Drug Tip Line, other phone calls, or direct tips
- Identify and apprehend drug dealers through various investigative techniques
- Enhance the quality of life through drug investigation by maintaining safe and livable neighborhoods for the citizens within the City of Sarasota.
COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM (CAT)
Officers assigned to this team aim to address quality of life concerns throughout the community. They conduct special operations based on current crime trends. They assist other units throughout the Sarasota Police Department with on scene investigations and search and recovery. The members of this unit are bike certified and can be seen patrolling area parks and neighborhoods.
DIGITAL FORENSICS
The Criminal Investigations Division has one Digital Forensics Specialist (DFS). The DFS collects and analyzes potentially incriminating information and data from electronic devices that may have been utilized in criminal acts. Additionally, the DFS works with the United States Secret Service and provides assistance when needed.