Great Falls Police Department | Community | Compassion | Courage
The Police Department is visible in the Community: GFPD Motorcycle Patrol leading the 9/11 Memorial Ride

Investigative Services Bureau

The Investigative Services Bureau is composed of the following units:

  • General Case Detectives (4)
  • Street Crimes Detectives (3)
  • School Resource Officers (4)
  • Violent/Sex Offender Detective (1)
  • Sex Crimes Detective (1)
  • Safe Streets Gang Task Force (1)

The entire unit is supervised by one Lieutenant and two Sergeants. Each unit is responsible for accomplishing certain objectives. Refer to each individual unit for additional information.

Detective Lieutenant

[ picture: Detective Lieutenant ]

The Lieutenant in charge of the detective bureau supervises the entire detective bureau, the evidence room, and the lab area. In addition, the Lieutenant plans, organizes and directs any special operations within the bureau. The Lieutenant provides bureau related training sessions and other relevant information to departmental employees, other law enforcement agencies, and citizens from the community as needed. On a daily basis, the Lieutenant assigns casework to detectives from the bureau and reviews written reports and other written documentation.

The Detective Lieutenant also serves as a department representative on many committees and panels: ISP (Intensive Supervision Program), Cascade County Interdisciplinary team (deals with problem youths), and the Pre-Release panel.

Detective Sergeant

[ picture: Detective Sergeant ]
[ picture: Detective Sergeant ]

Within the Detective Bureau, there are two Sergeant positions. These two Sergeants are responsible for the following duties:

  • Determines and assigns caseload investigations and assures the investigations are complete;
  • Review and assess police reports and other required written documentation;
  • Plans, develops and delivers training to other law enforcement officers on Detective Bureau related issues;
  • Assist with performing internal investigations and criminal related investigations as required;
  • Represent the department at community meetings as required;
  • Maintain and work with the Crimestoppers program.

General Case and Sex Crimes Detectives

[ picture: General Case/Sex Crimes Detective ]
[ picture: General Case/Sex Crimes Detective ]

The detective bureau is primarily responsible for conducting major case investigations (i.e. homicides, sexual assaults, etc) and other follow-up investigations. There are four general case detectives and one sex crimes detective. Officers assigned to this bureau should be highly motivated, have good communication skills, and be able to work under minimal supervision. Listed below are the general duties:

  • Investigate reported crimes and perform the necessary follow-up;
  • Be able to take oral and written statements from victims, suspects, and witnesses;
  • Prepare written police reports and other required documentation;
  • Testify in court for prosecution purposes;
  • Request arrest and search warrants as needed.

School Resource Officer (SRO)

[ picture: School Resource Officer at East Middle School ]
[ picture: School Resource Officer at Great Falls High School ]

The school resource officer is a detective assigned to work within the public school system. Currently, we have 4 SRO's, one in each high school (2) and one in each middle school (2). The SRO's work closely with school administrators and need to be self motivated, have good inter-personal skills, and have good organizational skills. Listed below are the general duties of SRO's:

  • Investigate criminal and drug offenses that occur on school grounds or other school related events;
  • Collect and preserve evidence that may be needed for prosecution purposes;
  • Design lesson plans and give classroom presentations as requested;
  • Attend meetings with school administrators, parents, and students;
  • Work with school officials to develop safety plans for the schools;
  • Patrol the schools and surrounding area;
  • Testify in court as required;
  • Complete written police reports and other written documentation as required;
  • Perform follow-up investigations as needed.

Street Crimes Unit

Guns Confiscated by the Street Crimes Unit
Methampehtimine is so toxic to mix that Street Crimes Officers must wear hazmat suits to process the scene.
Different drugs bagged as evidence at the scene

The street crimes unit detectives are primarily responsible for working drug and gang related offenses. Currently, three detectives are assigned to the unit. The street crimes detectives work varied hours depending on the existing caseload. Detectives assigned to this unit should be highly motivated and have good inter-personal skills. Listed below are some of the duties associated with this position:

  • Obtain and execute search warrants;
  • Develop drug related information to the point of arrest;
  • Prepare written police reports and other necessary documentation;
  • Preserve and collect evidence needed for prosecution purposes;
  • Investigate gang related crimes and computer crimes;
  • Use specialized equipment to conduct surveillance as needed;
  • Present public education talks as requested;
 

Violent/Sex Offender Detective

[ picture: Violent/Sex Offender Detective ]

The Violent/Sex Offender Detective works closely with local, state and federal agencies to keep track of registered violent and sexual offenders that are registered locally. This detective follows up on violent/sexual offender registration information and checks to see if current addresses are listed on the registration form. The Violent/Sex Offender Detective provides educational meetings on violent and sexual offenders to citizens from the community. This detective must be able to work under minimal supervision and have good communication skills. Listed below are some of the duties of the Violent/Sexual Offender Detective:

  • Checks current addresses of registered violent and sexual offenders;
  • Provides safety/educational presentations as requested;
  • Investigates suspicious people complaints;
  • Requests warrants for offenders that fail to properly register;
  • Performs follow-up investigations as required

Safe Streets Gang Task Force

The Safe Streets Gang Task Force is comprised of Local and Federal Agencies that are responsible for investigating gang, violent, and gun crimes. The Task Force is an aggressive and highly motivated unit. The Task Force works various hours and on occasion, specific events where gangs may be present. Some of the duties of the Task Force are listed below.

  • Investigate gang related crimes
  • Develop and maintain an intelligence network for tracking gangs and gang activity
  • Provide public education regarding gangs
  • Work alongside Federal, State, and local agencies for a successful prosecution of gang members involved in illegal activities
  • Locate, identify, and facilitate the removal of gang graffiti