The primary function of the Investigations Division is to conduct the follow-up investigation after a crime has been reported. The goal is to identify the perpetrators of the crime to assist the District Attorney's Office in the successful prosecution of the suspect(s).

The Investigations Division is located at 611 W. 22nd Street, the Central Station. Within the Division the investigators are broken down into their specialties to include, Major Crimes, Property Crimes, Financial Crimes, Hi-Tech Crimes, Arson Investigations, Sexual Assault, and Offender Registration. The Investigation Division is supported by the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT). The investigators and the CSRT work as one to solve cases and present the cases to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution. The Division's Community Service Officer (CSO) is responsible for registration of narcotics offenders, sex offenders, and arsonist. The division also has a computer forensics lab which provides forensic examination services to many agencies in the law enforcement community.

The Investigations Division also provides support to victims of crimes during the course of an investigation. The crime victims and the community both benefit from the prosecution and punishment of criminals.

Every attempt is made to prioritize their work so that cases involving injured persons, threat to personal safety or significant property loss receive the most immediate attention.

• Major Crimes
• Property Crimes
• Hi-Tech Crimes
• Financial Crimes
• Sexual Assault
• Arson Investigations
• Offender Registration (Sexual Assault, Drug User, & Arson Offenders)

Tip Line: (209) 385-4725

Major Crimes (Robbery, Assault & Homicide)

The Major Crimes Unit is comprised of detectives who investigate crimes against persons. These types of crimes include homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies. They are also responsible for investigating suicides, unattended deaths, child abuse, child abductions, kidnapping, carjacking, home invasions, missing persons, weapon crimes and other assorted major crimes. Although capable of investigating any crime, Major Crimes detectives focus on developing an expertise in their respective fields. This specialized training and experience has become instrumental in the resolution of numerous cases.

The detectives have developed a special partnership with the District Attorney’s Office and work in concert to successfully prosecute criminals in our community. Detectives are assigned to the Major Crimes Unit based upon their experience within the Investigations Division, specialized training, dedication, open-mindedness, and their ability to "think outside the box". The Major Crimes Unit is also tasked with working cold case homicides. Over the past year the Major Crimes Unit has solved two cold case homicides due to their hard work and advancement in the analysis of DNA. They continue to work cold cases as time permits.

Property Crimes

The Property Crime Unit handles cases involving burglaries, thefts and auto thefts. Many of these crimes are classified as "opportunity crimes." Homeowners that leave their garage doors open or have an accumulation of newspapers in the front yard, items left in plain view in your vehicle or a vehicle running unattended. These are bad habits of homeowners that leave them susceptible to property crimes.

• Keep your garage door closed when you aren't presently in it.

• Have a neighbor pick up newspapers if you are away for a more than a day.

• Put a timer on an interior light to give the impression that someone is home.

• Never leave your vehicle running and unattended or your keys in the ignition.

• Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your vehicle is locked. Put them in the trunk or out of sight.

• Try to park in a high traffic, well-lighted area, if possible.

• Call the police immediately. Most often the initial report can be taken over the phone. The quicker that the police get the information, the sooner law enforcement agencies can attempt to locate your property or the responsible.

• If the crime is not reported, the police will not be aware the crime was committed and what was taken.

• Copy your license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN) on a card and keep them with you and your driver license.

• Document all of your serial numbers. This will be a tracking device if any property with a serial number is stolen.

• It takes several days for the report to be processed before it is assigned to an investigator. When you do talk to the assigned detective, do not be offended if he does not immediately recall all of the details of your offense. Remember, he has a large caseload and will need some minor details from you to isolate your case.

Hi-Tech Crimes

The function of the Hi-Tech Crimes Unit is to address the complex investigations of Internet and computer related crimes. Computers and other Hi-Tech devices play an important role in everybody’s life today. There is a significant need for law enforcement to keep pace with the current trends and methods criminals are using within our community and around the world.

The Merced Police Department recognizes this need and as a result has developed the Hi-Tech Crimes Unit. The unit is currently a member of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force.

The types of crimes that the unit has investigated or assisted in includes, identity theft, child molestation and exploitation, possession and distribution of child pornography, Internet frauds, computer hacking, forgery, homicides, missing persons, assaults with deadly weapons, and gang related crimes. The Merced Police Department has established a computer forensics lab that is capable of providing electronic evidence from a variety of electronic devices. The Hi-Tech Unit provides support to other units at the Merced Police Department and other agencies in the law enforcement community.

Sexual Assault

The Sexual Assault Unit investigates sexual assaults against children and adults. Although the Sexual Assault Unit is capable of investigating any crime, the Unit's focus is on developing an expertise in their respective field. This specialized training and experience becomes instrumental toward solving cases. The Unit prepares and presents cases for review and prosecution by the Merced County District Attorney's Office. In addition to capitalizing on problem-solving skills, the Unit must be empathetic toward the victims' needs. The Unit works closely with victim advocacy groups regarding available resources and “victims' rights”.

Arson Investigations

The Arson Unit investigates arson related fires within the City of Merced. The unit is charged with determining the cause and origin of suspicious fires and is aided by the Merced City Fire Department during these investigations. The objective in working with the Merced Fire Department is to combine expertise from each agency. This will ensure that each fire investigation would flow smoothly from the fire scene examination through the court process. This is accomplished with teamwork, coordination, cooperation, and a total commitment from each department.