Criminal Investigative Division

Contact # (662) 841-6546

The Criminal Investigation Division is responsible for performing the investigative functions of the Tupelo Police Department. This division is comprised of investigators, specialists, technicians, supervisors, and support staff. Members of the Criminal Investigation Division answer citizen complaints, respond to crime scenes, and investigate cases referred by the Patrol Division. Case preparation and presentation are a key role in obtaining an indictment and successful prosecution of offenders.

Each case is reviewed for solvability factors and is assigned to an investigator for follow-up based on the type of crime and the investigator's expertise. Members of the division conduct interviews and lawful searches during an investigation to gather information or evidence useful in reconstructing the occurrence or circumstances of an illegal act. The primary duties of an investigator include: the apprehension of offenders, recovery of stolen property, preparation of cases for court prosecutions, and presentation of evidence in court cases.

C.I.D. Division Units:

Crimes Against Persons Section
Crimes Against Property Section
Investigative Support Services Section
Internet and Computer Crimes against children
Domestic Violence Unit
Juvenile Unit

Crimes Against Persons
The Crimes Against Persons Section conducts investigations of all reported crimes against persons including the offenses of murder, rape, robbery, assault, kidnapping, suicide, and other sudden suspicious deaths. The Crimes Against Persons Section may also assist in traffic-related deaths where interviewing and interrogation skills are required.

Juvenile Unit
The Juvenile Unit handles crimes involving juveniles either as a suspect or a victim. It also handles child sex abuse investigations. Working closely with the Lee County Youth Court this division handles all juvenile related cases. The Juvenile Unit is also responsible for implementing the YOUR BUSTED (Youth Offenders Under Restraint By Utilizing Street Tough Education Discipline) program. This program is run by officers of the Tupelo Police Department and is a program where youthful offenders spend Saturdays learning the consequences of committing crimes.

Domestic Violence Unit
The Domestic Violence Unit provides comprehensive services to victims while investigating criminal offenses to hold offenders accountable. The unit provides multiple-case services ranging from safety planning and Order of Protection assistance to case analysis, research, and preparation for prosecution.

The Domestic Violence Unit has been able to intervene with victims when the cycle of violence first begins. The ultimate goal of the advocates, counselors, and investigators is to provide services early and prevent future violence in the home. They work to ensure victim safety, hold offenders accountable, and work to establish a voice in the community that calls domestic violence a crime.

Internet and Computer Crimes against Children
The (ICU) Internet Crimes Unit is responsible for investigating Internet and Computer Crimes against Children. This is a growing problem. Computers appeal to the offenders because it offers privacy, anonymity, instant gratification, expands their borders, is accessible and has a degree of security to it. Computers offer easy access for manufactured products to be distributed. Computer chatrooms and/or newsgroups offer on-line solicitation of children for meeting and sexual activity.

Internet and computer crimes are a growing concern of law enforcement, teachers and parents alike. Internet and computer crimes are handled in a much different fashion than normal investigative techniques. These cases often times require assistance from other local and federal agencies because of intermingling jurisdictions.