CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
The Habersham County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigative Division is a full service unit which investigates a wide spectrum of crimes occurring in Habersham County. The Criminal Investigative Division and the Uniform Patrol Division have an interlocking working relationship with respect to crimes committed and reported. With few exceptions, it is usually deputies assigned to our Uniform Patrol Division who initiate written reports of alleged criminal activity. These reports are forwarded to the Criminal Investigative Division where Investigators begin the process of determining if the reported crimes actually occurred. Once the validity of the crime report is established, an investigation begins to identify the offender, recover any property stolen and develop a case that will result in the desired outcome: an arrest and conviction.
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The Property Crimes Section consists of two Investigators who focus on specific types of property crimes. These Investigators process crimes such as Burglary, Thefts, and Motor Vehicle Thefts.
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The Financial Crimes Section consists of one Investigator who's focus is investigating a variety of financial crimes, including forgery, identity theft, and financial transaction card fraud.
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The Person Crimes Section consists of two Investigators who focus on crimes committed against a person, such as robbery, assault, sexual assaults, and missing persons.
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Most investigations are initiated by the Uniform Patrol Division, and when possible resolved by patrol. However, some cases are more complex and may require the additional time and skill set, offered by CID, to bring the case to resolution. Cases may also be initiated directly by the Criminal Investigative Division.
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PROPERTY CRIMES
FINANCIAL CRIMES
PERSON CRIMES
THE INVESTIGATION
The Criminal Investigative Division also responds to and assumes investigative authority over all major cases and crime scenes within Habersham County, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Criminal Investigative Division not only specializes in conducting broad based investigations, but also processing crime scenes, conducting surveillance and undercover operations.
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
The Crime Scene Unit identifies, collects, preserves and conducts examinations of physical evidence recovered at crime scenes and other investigations. The unit also provides technical assistance to the Sheriff's Office Staff and other agencies as necessary. Members of the Crime Scene unit are specially trained in the use of alternate light sources, scientific chemical testing, advanced photography techniques, advanced fingerprint lifting techniques, and latent print examination. This unit can process any crime scene from a minor incident to a major homicide.
PATROL INVESTIGATIONS
The role of the Patrol Investigator was established by Sheriff Joey Terrell in 2019. Members of the Patrol Investigations Task Force consists of Uniformed Patrol Deputies who assist Criminal Investigators through a thorough initial response and documentation of incidents involving Child Abuse, Neglect, Child Sexual Abuse, Child Exploitation, Child Fatalities and cases involving suspected maltreatment. The primary objective of this unit is to reduce additional trauma to any child victims and the victim's family while ensuring procedural fairness to the accused.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
School Resource Officers provide direct services to schools located within Habersham County. These services include, but are not limited to, campus safety inspections, classroom presentations, criminal investigations originating within the school system, daily traffic details, participation in student and parent conferences when requested, and various other activities including traditional law enforcement duties.
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The Sex Offender Registry serves as a tool to warn the public and provide a means for law enforcement to track and monitor convicted sex offenders in the community. Members of this unit are knowledgeable in all aspects of the sex offender registry law and provide technical assistance to the Sheriffs' Offices regarding the enforcement of the sex offender registry status.
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If you have a question regarding the Criminal Investigative Division, please contact Lieutenant Wesley Welborn at (706) 839-0558 or email wwelborn@habershamga.com.