Criminal Investigation Division
The Criminal Investigation Division provides comprehensive investigation of all criminal related offences in Fayette County, Georgia. This group of more than 30 well-trained investigators employ their experience and expertise over a vast array of investigation responsibilities.
The General Criminal Investigators are largely responsible for Fayette County consistently having one of the highest Part I Crime Index clearance rates in the country. Captain Mike Hattaway directs and guides these investigators under Sheriff Johnson`s leadership.
Detectives assigned to general investigations follow up leads on robberies, burglaries and, unfortunately, sometimes homicides. The Criminal Investigation Division uses the cutting edge technology and sound investigative practices. Much of the equipment and technology they use is financed through drug forfeiture money. The Crime Scene Unit is a well trained and equipped unit which inspects every crime scene. They have some of the most advanced evidence identification and collection equipment available. A good example of what they do is the case of a family whose home was invaded by gunman looking to rob a Fayette County homeowner. They left behind an empty duct tape package. The Crime Scene Unit was able to track down the store through the price sticker on the package enabling detectives to obtain a video of one of the robbers purchasing the duct tape. This man was convicted and sentenced to 18 years based on the video and his fingerprint which CSI pulled from the package.
Facing a growing drug problem in Fayette County, Sheriff Johnson decided that focused and direct intervention was necessary. The Sheriff established a Multi- Agency Drug Suppression Task Force in 1989. That decision has met with unequivocal success. The Drug Suppression Task Force is commanded by Captain Mike Pruitt.
The Drug Suppression Task Force is a highly specialized and motivated group of Law Enforcement Officers who perform some of the most dangerous work in the Department. They use the latest in technology to accomplish their mission. Covert surveillance is critical not only in general criminal investigations but drug investigations as well. The ability to see at night, in all weather conditions, is essential. The task forces uses complex and sophisticated electronic devices to gather evidence against drug traffickers in Fayette County. The state-of-the-art equipment they use is made possible due to their own efforts. State and Federal laws allow the Fayette County Sheriff's Office to use a portion of the drug funds they seize to better equip their officers. This money is used not only by the drug task force, but throughout the Department making the Fayette County Sheriff's Office one of the best equipped law enforcement agencies in the country. Since the Task Force was formed in 1989, Sheriff Johnson=s deputies have seized more than 14 million dollars in drug money off of the streets of metro Atlanta.
The Drug Suppression Task Force regularly conducts investigations where violations span many jurisdictions. In addition to the drug money seized, these investigations have successfully tracked down a number of drug shipments destined for Fayette County. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has recognized Sheriff Johnson and these deputies for their efforts in drug suppression throughout Georgia.
Members of the Criminal Investigation Division are assigned to each high school and middle school in the County as School Resource Officers. These individuals present a positive influence to the students in the schools. They give our students a chance to interact with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies in a positive manner. Our School Resource Officers are led by Lieutenant Tommy Pope.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has a Search and Recovery Dive Team. The Search and Recovery Dive Team operates under the umbrella of the Criminal Investigations Division. The members of the Dive Team are highly trained and skilled in the search and recovery of articles and persons.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has an attached member to the United States Marshall’s South Eastern Regional Fugitive Task Force. This Special Deputy is empowered by the authority of the U.S. Marshal’s to travel any where in the United States to track down and apprehend wanted fugitives from Fayette County. The fugitive task force, which operates throughout the southeastern United States, is overseen by an advisory board consisting of all of the participating agencies.
Recognizing that law enforcement activities frequently involve the potential for deadly confrontations, the Department has taken a proactive stance on the side of safety. Sheriff Johnson created the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.). The group of highly trained tactical deputies operates under the umbrella of the Criminal Investigations Team and is led by Lieutenant Dwayne Prosser. This team trains weekly in the use of special weapons and tactics to defuse potentially volatile situations.
With Fayette County's growing population, traffic congestion has become an increasing factor in Sheriff's deputies ability to travel the county and respond to emergencies. The Sheriff's newest tool in responding quickly to such emergencies is Hawk One. Hawk One is an OH58 helicopter purchased and operated entirely with drug seizure funds. The aviation unit performs daily patrols and is on constant stand- by for use in manhunts, car chases, drug interdiction and is also useful as a quick responding Aeye in the sky@ during emergency calls for service. The unit is overseen by Captain Greg Craft, who is himself a licensed helicopter pilot.
Sheriff Johnson recognizes the need to hear from citizens about possible procedural errors which may need to be corrected in order that the Department might better insure justice and fairness. The Internal Affairs Unit was created by Sheriff Johnson to look into every complaint filed with the department. The Sheriff depends on input from people in the community to maintain the high standards of service and professionalism his department represents in the community.