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Criminal Investigation Division

The Criminal Investigation Division is comprised of over thirty personnel assigned to different sections in the division. These sections are General Investigations, Crime Scene Unit, Tactical Narcotics Team and the Aviation Unit.

The Criminal Investigations Division is also responsible for the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) and the Crisis Negotiations Team.

General Investigations – Investigators assigned to this unit are primarily responsible for investigating both felony and misdemeanor cases. When not responding to crime scenes or following leads, detectives prepare investigative reports for use in court. The Criminal Investigation Division uses innovative technology and sound investigative techniques in an effort to solve cases. Cases are assigned to investigators who are dedicated to providing victims with answers and keeping crime rates low.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office detectives investigate all crimes, from misdemeanor theft to homicide. Training and education is a priority for these investigators as they constantly strive to keep abreast of the latest techniques and available resources to help them conclude cases. Investigative supervisors ensure the investigators have the resources they need to solve crimes and assist in sharing information with surrounding agencies.

Investigators also maintain the sex offender registry and ensure all registered sex offenders abide by the laws concerning their place of residence and employment. The sex offender list is posted in each lobby of the Sheriff’s Office and is also posted in the main county administrative building. We furnish the list to each law enforcement agency in the county and to the Fayette County Board of Education and all private schools located in Fayette County.

Sheriff’s Office investigators maintain the pawnshop records and inspect them regularly.

Investigators also assist the Community Relations Officer by attending homeowner’s association meetings or other community events to inform the public about current trends in crime and ways they can prevent themselves from becoming victims.

In addition to normal investigative activities, the Criminal Investigation Division has two detectives assigned off-site. One detective is assigned to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and another is assigned to the South East Regional Fugitive Task Force operated by the U.S. Marshals Office.

Crime Scene Unit – Investigators assigned to this unit are well trained and examine hundreds of Fayette County crime scenes every year. All crime scene investigators are either state certified as “Identification Technicians” or are working towards attaining this certification.

They have some of the most advanced evidence identification and collection equipment available. When dispatched to a crime scene, the investigators they take the responsibility of documenting a crime seriously. Photography, latent fingerprint identification, crime scene reconstruction, blood pattern analysis and drug identification are only some of the skills employed by these investigators.

Our Crime Scene investigators work closely with all of the Sheriff’s Office investigators including traffic investigators and school resource officers to ensure that any evidence will be documented and preserved in preparation for court proceedings.

Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) – The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office operates a multi-agency drug suppression unit and has done so since 1989. This unit is comprised of investigators from this office as well as representatives from the police departments of Fayetteville, Peachtree City and Tyrone.

These investigators are a highly specialized and motivated group of Law Enforcement officers who perform some of the most dangerous work in the Sheriff’s Office. They use the latest technology to accomplish their mission. Covert surveillance is critical not only in general investigations but in drug investigations as well. The ability to see at night, in all weather conditions, is essential. TNT 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. These monies are used not only by the Tactical Narcotics Team, but also by the entire Sheriff’s Office, making it one of the best-equipped law enforcement agencies in the country.

Since 1989, narcotics investigators have taken more than 14 million dollars in drug money off the streets of metro Atlanta.

In addition to the normal activities of TNT, one Special Agent is assigned offsite to the David G. Wilhelm Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force in Atlanta.

Aviation Unit – Due the growth of Fayette County, in both population and traffic, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office started an aviation unit. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit is comprised of two full time pilots who operate an OH-58 helicopter with a call sign of Hawk One.

The aviation unit performs daily patrols and is on stand by for use in manhunts, car chases, drug interdiction, etc. The unit can be called into service for a quick eye in the sky during emergency calls for service. Hawk One has responded to calls from every law enforcement agency in the county and occasionally outside of the county.

Hawk One was purchased and is operated by drug seizure funds.

Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) – The SWAT team is an all-volunteer unit comprised of specially trained deputies in the use of various weaponry and tactics. Personnel assigned to this unit are highly motivated, physically fit and possess the desire to conclude their mission without injury to themselves or others.

SWAT responds to any call where a specialized tactical response is needed. This can be anything from a domestic violence call to a hostage situation, barricaded suspect, manhunt, serving search or arrest warrants, or working plain-clothes surveillance.

The majority of equipment used and training received by these highly specialized deputies is funded by drug seizure funds.

Crisis Negotiation Team – The crisis Negotiation team is another all-volunteer unit comprised of deputies trained in negotiation techniques. They too respond to any call when needed to negotiate with a barricaded suspect, suicidal person or any time a negotiation needs to take place.