The Investigative Division works very closely with the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office and other law enforcement agencies. They are responsible for all evidence, including the chain of custody, and the destruction or return of the evidence once a case has been resolved. The Investigative Division supports the Patrol Division in the investigation of felony crimes, serious incidents, and other matters that require investigative follow-up. The Investigators are cross-trained to investigate juvenile related crimes, high profile crimes, and sexually based offenses.
Criminal Investigations Unit
The Criminal Investigations Unit investigates most felony crimes including sexual assaults, burglaries, larcenies, assaults, forgeries, and embezzlement offenses. They are also responsible for the processing of crime scenes; transporting evidence to the New York State Police crime lab and chain of custody of evidence; and processing and testifying to all fingerprint evidence.
Special Crimes Unit
The Special Crimes Unit is primarily responsible for the investigation and suppression of drug activity in the City of Ithaca and the investigation of a variety of crimes that either violent, high profile, sensitive, or intelligence based. This unit also aides in the planning and service of search and arrest warrants.
