The Gilbert Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit is a section of the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. The Criminal Intelligence Unit is comprised of both Sworn Detectives and Civilian Crime Analysts. The Detectives provide tactical and strategic intelligence collection; analysis and dissemination to support local criminal investigations. Additionally, they are the liaisons between the Gilbert Police Department and the States central point of contact for criminal intelligence and counter terrorism issues, creating a connection with other local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

Our Crime Analysts analyze crime data to inform department staff of crime and suspect information in order to support investigative, proactive, and operational tactics to solve, predict, and prevent crime. They also attempt to find commonalities in crimes, suspects, vehicles and locations. Analysts do this by utilizing various analytical products such as bulletins, maps, link charts, and other investigative products.  They support all manners of investigations and patrol relating to crime trends, patterns, series and hotspots. 

The Digital Forensic Unit (DFU) is comprised of four detectives, a civilian audio/video forensic analyst, and a Sergeant.  The unit is responsible for completing forensic examinations in criminal cases containing digital evidence.  The DFU detectives receive specialized training in identifying and preserving digital evidence in criminal cases such as homicides, domestic violence crimes, sex crimes, crimes against children, drug trafficking, property crimes, financial crimes, etc. The Digital Forensic Unit supports the Central and San Tan Patrol Divisions and the entire Criminal Investigations Division. 

The Special Investigations Section, Drug Enforcement Unit is responsible for investigating the use, sale and trafficking of drugs, and other covert operations,

The Family Violence Unit (FVU) consists of four detectives and a sergeant. The FVU investigates Domestic Violence related crimes which are located in the Arizona Revised Statutes, 13-3601A. Some of these crimes include assault, aggravated assault, trespass, harassment, sexual assault and disorderly conduct. Detectives in this unit attend and receive extensive training in forensic interviewing and strangulation investigation, to better serve the unique dynamics of family violence. Detectives are on call year-round and may be used as the primary investigator on a case, assist patrol or assist another CID unit. FVU detectives also investigate child abuse and elderly abuse cases, working closely with the Department of Child Safety and Adult Protective Services. 

 Learn more at gilbertaz.gov/DVAM

 

The Forensic Services Unit now has two forensic scientists and three crime scene specialists. The forensic scientists are tasked with responding to major crime scenes to provide expert opinions and processing, to include writing scientific detailed reports. Inside the laboratory, they can process items of evidence for possible biological material and/or latent prints. The scientists also work cases involving NIBIN entry and NIBIN Test Fires. The crime scene specialists respond to and process a variety of crime scenes that range from suspicious death scenes, aggravated assaults, high dollar burglaries, sexual assaults, and homicides. The entire Forensic Services Unit is also TruNarc certified. In the next couple months, the unit will be deploying FARO scans (highly specialized crime scene diagraming) and utilizing drones for aerial photography. Given the well-rounded scope of both specialties, the Gilbert Forensic Services Unit are able to provide leads to cases in a matter of minutes when compared to traditional laboratories which can take months. This provides an increase in successful clearance rates for the sworn personnel. 

All other forensic services are provided by the Mesa Police Department Forensic Testing Laboratory.

 

The Property Crimes Unit (PCU) is comprised of eight detectives and one sergeant. Detectives are assigned to follow up on investigations initiated at the patrol level on crimes involving animal abuse/neglect, burglary (commercial, residential, vehicle), criminal damage, organized retail theft/shoplifting and various types of theft to include vehicles. Many times, these crimes span multiple jurisdictions which requires detectives within the unit to work cohesively with outside partners and agencies to bring these cases to a successful conclusion. On top of the detectives within the unit, there are two certified arson investigators with the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department who report to the PCU sergeant on fires deemed by the investigators to be criminal in nature. These arson investigators are not only sworn firefighters, but are also certified by the State of Arizona as peace officers. 

The Special Assignment Unit (SAU) is tasked with providing covert and overt tactical operational assistance to all divisions within the Gilbert Police Department. The mission of SAU is closely aligned with the mission of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, however; SAU is expected to conduct criminal investigations, carry a caseload, and conduct other duties that may be deemed to fall within the scope of the SAU philosophy. At times, SAU will operate in a clandestine environment. SAU is often tasked with locating individuals with limited information. SAU spends most of its time identifying and apprehending violent felony offenders, serving low, medium, and high-risk residential search warrants, participating in surveillance operations, participating in “buy/bust” investigative operations, and participating in dignitary protection details. 

The Special Victims Unit is comprised of one sergeant and ten detectives. The primary caseload for SVU detectives consists of all cases with any sexual nexus including both adult and juvenile victims. The unit also investigates all types of internet crimes against children including luring cases, sex trafficking cases, and cases involving the sexual exploitation of minors. SVU also investigates missing persons cases. All detectives in SVU are specially trained to conduct “forensic” interviews of juveniles. Our unit partners with other law enforcement agencies as well as the Arizona Department of Child Safety and Victim Advocates. Members of the team spend their time completing interviews, writing search warrants, and reviewing myriad lines of social media communications to corroborate offenses in their cases and keep victims in Gilbert safe from their offenders. 

The Gilbert Police Department's first tactical team, known as the Emergency Response Unit or ERU was founded in 1993 in response to the town's rapid growth. At its inception, the premise was simple: Assemble a team of highly motivated individuals, provide them with state-of-the-art equipment, and extensive training.

The group of highly trained and well-equipped Officers has evolved over the years into a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. SWAT is comprised of officers specially trained as entry personnel, precision rifle operators, breachers, and gas and less lethal munitions operators. 

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The mission of the Gilbert Police Department Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) is to assist all people in our community through effective problem solving, professional service, and the relentless pursuit of those who victimize our citizens. VCU consists of one Sergeant and five Detectives. VCU is responsible for investigating officer involved shootings, in custody deaths, homicides, suicides, unattended deaths, robberies, aggravated assaults, briberies, and other sensitive investigations as requested by Command Staff. VCU is a daytime investigations unit with detectives available for call-out 24 hours a day.