Criminal Investigations

Responsibilities

Criminal investigators are primarily responsible for crimes against persons or other serious felony investigations. They also assist other divisions with case follow-ups when needed. Case types include; murder, robbery, aggravated assault, rape, child abuse and serial crimes.

Criminal Investigations specializes in other areas including registered sex offender management, computer and technology crimes, pawn shop compliance, drugs, and vice.

Criminal Investigations Division

  • Crimes Against Persons
  • Property Crimes
  • Drugs / Vice
  • Pro-Active
  • Intelligence
  • Terrorism Liaison
  • Technology Crimes

Staff

The Criminal Investigations Division consists of four, full-time investigators; Wayne Jones, Elizabeth Paul, Kenny Henthorn, Bill Howard and a secretary; Rachel Greenleaf, a supervisor; Sergeant Mike Don and a commander; Lieutenant Mikel Moore.

Training

All Criminal Investigators receive in addition to their basic training the following specialized training courses:

  • Child Physical and Sexual Abuse
  • Death Investigation
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Financial Investigative Techniques
  • Interviewing Techniques
  • Police Photography
  • Computer Crime Investigation

The Criminal Investigator performs work primarily involving the investigation of felony criminal cases. The Investigators are cross-trained to respond and investigate all crimes reported. Types of crimes typically investigated include: Burglary, Robbery, Larcenies, Assaults, Auto Theft, Fraud, Forgery, Sex Crimes, Child Abuse/Neglect, and Death Investigations.

Computer Crime Investigations

This digital era has posed law enforcement with technology crimes that did not exist only a few decades years ago. The Mount Vernon Police Department has a fully trained investigator who specializes in the area of computer-based crimes. Be it online crime, or the computer being used as a tool to commit the crime.

Because of the unique nature of on-line crime, these types of cases are often difficult to investigate and time consuming. In many cases investigators in several Departments work together to solve these types of crimes because of the broad range of victims and cross jurisdiction involved.

Computer Crime Prevention Steps 

The following are some tips to help safeguard you from becoming a victim of computer crime.

  • Never give out your user name or password.
  • Don't disseminate any personal information in chat rooms.
  • Monitor the computer use of your children, especially in chat rooms.
  • Keep your computer in a public area of your home to dissuade wrongdoing.
  • Consider using anti virus software and firewalls to minimize risks.
  • Don't open email from persons you do not know.
  • Familiarize yourself with "Secure" websites before doing any on-line purchasing.
  • Review seller ratings with on-line auctions.
  • Trust your instincts. If it feels bad, it probably is.
  • Avoid email chain letters or phishing scams via text. 

For additional computer fraud information

If you feel you've been a victim of a computer based crime, or just have a general question, you can send an email to Cybercrime.

Team Work 

Communication between the Investigators and personnel within the Department as well as with other agencies is an important tool in identifying as well as solving crimes. Additionally, the exchange of information between Patrol, Crime Prevention, the Interlocal Drug Task Force, and the community is valuable and an important resource. Each month there is a Criminal Investigators meeting attended by Investigators in this and other counties. A considerable wealth of information can be gained simply by interacting with others and sharing case information.

To contact the Criminal Investigations Division call (360) 336-6271 or Lieutenant Mikel Moore

To report an anonymous crime tip call the Mount Vernon Police Department Crime Tip Line at (360) 336-0632.

To report suspected drug activity call the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit at (360) 848-1165

Fill out a drug tip form

Fill out a Service Quality Survey form