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General Investigations Unit

The General Investigations unit handles the widest variety of cases of any of the investigative units. Cases ranging from homicide to misdemeanor shoplifting are assigned to the unit. Currently the unit is staffed by five detectives and a sergeant. Detectives are selected through an interview process and must demonstrate a mastery of basic patrol work before being accepted into the investigations bureau. Detectives work a variety of hours, but there is always at least one detective on-call 24-hours a day.

Detectives also participate in numerous metro area crime information groups along with officers from other area law enforcement agencies. In addition to normal case assignments, several detectives also have specialized training. One detective specializes in locating stolen property, and another is trained in the recovery of digital evidence and computer forensics. One of the detectives in the unit is also the polygraph operator for the department. In addition to his regular case load, he conducts polygraph examinations for the entire investigations bureau, as well as pre-employment examinations for potential new officers. Detectives are also trained in evidence recovery, and regularly respond to crime scenes to search for, and recover physical evidence.