Police Department - Investigations

When investigations become complicated and require an in-depth resource commitment, the Detectives Division is called upon to do their part for our Milwaukie citizens.

The Detectives Division handles a wide variety of investigations including property crimes such as theft, burglary, fraud, identity theft, and technology crimes that are associated with computer and Internet abuse. Other areas of expertise and professional skill deal with person crimes; including sexual assault, sexual abuse, kidnapping, felony assaults and homicide.

In today's technological society and with the increased demand for police resources the Milwaukie Police Department partners with other agencies in order to facilitate the most effective result possible. We have recognized that in many instances, we cannot do everything alone and that city boundaries are not a deterrent to a highly mobile criminal element.

The Inter-Agency Homicide Team consists of municipal agencies within Clackamas County, including other municipal agencies, the Medical Examiners Office, the Clackamas County District Attorneys Office, and the State Police. This group was established to investigate all homicides, police officer-involved shootings, and suspicious deaths.  The team has also been involved in investigations of major crimes such as serious assaults or robberies, especially if one agency's resources may be stretched beyond cost and manpower capabilities.

The team also coordinates monthly training for investigators in a variety of areas including basic crime scene investigation, interview and interrogation, forensics, and the use of new technology related to these investigations. This training is designed to build the skill level of not only detectives but also those of  Patrol Officers who often are able to attend.

Closely working with and assigned to the Detectives Division is the Police Technician. Our technician is a primary support position that provides further expertise in the increasingly demanding field of forensic science. Although the technician does not have the qualifications of an actual scientist the technician is versed in many sciences and has training to gather, examine, test, compare, process, protect and submit evidence for a more detailed and intensive examination.

The Police Technician has two main responsibilities. First, the Technician is responsible for the receipt, storage, safekeeping, release and disposal of all property or evidence that comes into the custody or control of the Milwaukie Police Department. (It is fair to say a minimum of 25,000 pieces of property is handled through the property room annually.)  Second, the Technician deals with the preservation and processing of crime scenes. This can include photographing, diagramming, collecting and processing of evidence, reconstruction of a crime and thorough documentation for future scrutiny by Detectives, the District Attorneys office, Defense Attorneys, and the courts.