The Criminal Investigations Division includes the Criminal Investigations and Animal Control Units. The division's primary responsibilities include investigating criminal cases and handling the enforcement of animal control ordinances.
The Criminal Investigations Unit investigates violent crimes, general crimes, domestic violence, special victims crimes and narcotics crimes. Personnel allocated to the unit include a major, captain, four sergeants, twenty-four detectives, a victim advocate and two civilian support employees.
The primary function of the Criminal Investigations Unit is to conduct follow-up investigations of reported crimes. These investigations involve interviewing suspects, victims and witnesses as well as collecting and analyzing evidence for validity, reliability and accuracy to provide a comprehensive and factual case to be presented in court. Specially trained civilian employees provide crime data analysis, investigative support and victim assistance.
The U.S. Department of Justice assists in funding two full-time domestic violence detectives, a city prosecutor and a victim advocate through the Violence Against Women Act created in 1994. During 2023, domestic violence detectives handled over 501 domestic violence cases and 69 violations of an order of protection cases.
In June of 2023, five detectives and one sergeant were trained and assigned to investigate crimes involving children as victims, in addition to their traditional case assignments. These detectives are members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. During the first six months, the team of detectives investigated 16 ICAC cases resulting in multiple subpoenas, search warrants and one arrest.
In support of the Jackson County COMBAT Anti-Crime Commission and County Legislature, one sergeant and five detectives were assigned to the Jackson County Drug Task Force. Two additional full-time detectives are assigned to the FBI and DEA Task Forces to pursue violent offenders and drug trafficking organizations that have an impact on our community and the metropolitan area.
In 2023, detectives were a part of 164 drug purchases resulting in 109 felony cases (56 federal, 53 state) and 60 search warrants, while recovering 848 pounds of methamphetamine, 71 pounds of cocaine, 220 pounds of fentanyl, over 35,600 M30 counterfeit fentanyl pills, 148 firearms and more than $1.3 million in U.S. currency. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is over $52.6 million.
One full-time detective is assigned to the FBI Heart of America Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory in addition to the on-site Field Digital Forensic Laboratory. Two detectives and one sergeant receive training and financial support through the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force to maintain the on-site program to support the various crimes investigated by the detectives.
A joint initiative by the Kansas City Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice, the Metro Squad investigates serious crimes in a six-county, two-state metropolitan area. In 2023, detectives and supervisors responded to two Metro Squad activations.
The Eastern Jackson County Police Involved Investigation Team, established in 2022, investigates police-involved incidents by non-involved agencies, ensuring transparency and impartiality. The team was activated once in 2023.
Animal Control enforces animal control ordinances to ensure animal welfare and public health. The unit handled and provided temporary shelter to over 3,400 animals in 2023, with a 98% adoption rate.
Animal Control responded to 9,669 calls for service regarding animal abuse, bites, pet waste, barking complaints and disposition of deceased animals.
Animal Control hosts community pet events throughout the year.