BURNETT COUNTY (W1) SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR PROJECT - REFUNDING REPORT

• NCJ Number: 54913
• Author(s): P J RIOPELLE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-13C-NW-02-7
• Sponsoring Agency: Wisconsin Council on Criminal Justice
• Corporate Author: Wisconsin Council on Criminal Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR PROJECT OF THE BURNETT COUNTY (WIS.) SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS DESCRIBED, AND ITS DEGREE OF SUCCESS IN REACHING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IS REPORTED.

Abstract

THE BURNETT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A WISCONSIN COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COUNTY-WIDE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR PROJECT. THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO A HIGH PROPERTY CRIME RATE AND A LOW CLEARANCE RATE IN THE COUNTY. THE GRANT APPLICATION NOTED THAT TWO REASONS APPARENTLY ACCOUNTED FOR THE LOW NUMBER OF SOLVED CRIMES IN THE COUNTY: (1) INSUFFICIENT PERSONNEL, AND (2) INSUFFICIENT TIME BY STAFF TO FOLLOWUP ON REPORTED CASES. THE SEPCIALIZED WORK PERFORMED BY THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR WAS EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS. THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR IS HOUSED WITHIN THE BURNETT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE SHERIFF. IN ADDITION, A COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE, MADE UP OF SEVEN CIVIC AND ELECTED INDIVIDUALS, SERVES AS AN ADVISORY BOARD, WHOSE PRINCIPAL FUNCTION IS TO ASSURE THE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR'S EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR HAD NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED TO THE STAFF, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS INITIAL MISTRUST AND A LACK OF COOPERATION ON THE PART OF DEPUTIES. THIS TENSION HAS EASED TO THE POINT WHERE THESE ATTITUDES ARE NO LONGER OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO THREATEN THE PROJECT. IN THE 8 MONTHS THE PROJECT HAS BEEN OPERATING, THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR HAS CLEARED OVER 60 PERCENT OF THE CASES HE HAS HANDLED, WELL ABOVE THE PROJECTED LEVEL. ALSO, A NEW COMPLAINT AND RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN FULFILLMENT OF AN ESTABLISHED OBJECTIVE. THE GOAL OF PROVIDING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TRAINING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL HAS NOT BEEN MET, BUT THE GROUNDWORK HAS BEEN LAID FOR CONDUCTING TRAINING SESSIONS IN DEATH INVESTIGATION, CRIME SCENE PROTECTION, HANDGUN COMBAT, AND BURGLARY INVESTIGATION. COMPLETION OF THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL GOVERNING DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES IS EXPECTED IN EARLY 1979. (RCB)