Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake

Main Number 801.743.7000

Emergency 911 • Non-Emergency Dispatch 801.840.4000

File a Police Report Online

Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake

Main Number 801.743.7000

Emergency 911 • Non-Emergency Dispatch 801.840.4000

File a Police Report Online

Investigations

Division chief
Wayne Dial

CONTACTS:

  • All Emergencies call 9-1-1
  • Non-Emergency Dispatch
    801-840-4000

    To report a crime or request to speak with an officer
  • UPD Main Number
    801-743-7000

    for General Questions or to be directed to any Precinct, Division, or Individual
  • Investigations
    385-468-9827

    4250 West 5415 South  
    Kearns, Utah 84118
  • Business Hours:
    Monday- Friday:
    8am to 5:00pm
    Saturday: Closed
    Sunday: Closed
    Holidays: Closed

The Law Enforcement Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigative Protocol

About Investigations

The Investigations Division provides a wide array of services within the Unified Police Department. It is comprised of 44 full-time sworn and civilian employees. It is commanded by a Division Chief and staffed with a lieutenant and 3 sergeants and civilian supervisors. The primary mission of the Division is to investigate serious crimes against persons through the Violent Crimes, Special Victims, and Domestic Violence units.  Additionally, Investigations covers a much broader scope of law enforcement with several specialized units such as the Forensic Investigations, Fraud/Forgery, and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Units. The men and women working in the Investigations Division are extremely experienced and dedicated law enforcement professionals whose tenacity and attention to detail are second to none.

 

 

Violent Crimes Unit

The Violent Crimes Unit is comprised of seven detectives and one sergeant. They are tasked with investigating violent crimes committed against persons. The crimes include but are not limited to homicides, abductions, robberies, and sexual assaults. Detectives are also tasked with investigating all death investigations which include suicides and in custody deaths. The Violent Crimes Unit participates in the Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol and comprises one of the four protocol teams. The team investigates Officer Involved Critical Incidents such as Officer Involved Shootings for other jurisdictions in Salt Lake County.

Bank robberies committed in Salt Lake County are considered a federal crime. Two of the VCU detectives are cross designated, and work directly with the FBI to investigate robberies committed against banks and other financial institutions.

 

Forensic Investigations Unit

    The Forensic Investigation Unit is part of the Investigations Division of the Unified Police Department. Our mission and goal is to provide our residents with a dedicated, skilled and highly trained work force of Forensic Analysts. We provide the highest quality of scientific analysis to the criminal justice system. Our Forensic staff is motivated by a strong work ethic, intelligence and integrity. Diverse educational backgrounds and areas of interest in the Forensic Science arena help us fulfill our goals and accomplish our mission. Our Forensic staff partners with governmental and private entities to effectively meet the needs of Utah’s criminal justice community. We are committed to a strategy of continuous improvement, through education and constantly seeking to meet the expectations of our customers and striving to learn those needs and expectations.

    The Forensic Investigation Unit is staffed with a supervisor, 8 highly trained full-time civilian Forensic Analysts and a Forensic Office Specialist. We provide services in Forensic Photography, Latent Print Processing and Identification, Evidence Collection, Forensic Microscopy for Trace Evidence, Blood Stain Pattern Interpretation, Digital Forensics, 3-D Crime Scene Scanning and Reconstruction, Serial Number Restoration, E-Trace (weapon serial numbers), and Controlled Substance Analysis. Additionally, the Forensic Analysts are certified phlebotomists.

    The Forensic Unit also offers student internship programs, and ride along opportunities to those enrolled in college criminal justice programs.

    Special Victims Unit

    Children pose a unique challenge when investigating crimes perpetrated against them. The Special Victims Unit is specially trained to handle these sensitive cases. The SVU is comprised of ten sworn detectives, two civilians, and one sergeant. They are tasked with investigating physical child abuse, neglect, and all sexual abuse cases. They also investigate allegations of abuse committed against vulnerable people in the community such as disabled citizens or the elderly. The SVU also conducts investigations into all sexual crimes including domestic sexual assault cases.

    SVU has one detective that participates in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Predators can be found on line searching for child victims, and the ICAC works to apprehend them using the same forum.

    The civilian employee assigned to the unit is responsible for all missing persons and runaway children investigations.

    The members of the SVU also coordinate the sex offender registry list and ensure people are in compliance with their court mandated requirements.

    CAR Unit
    Collision Analysis and Reconstruction

    The Collision Analysis Reconstruction (CAR) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional effort with participating agencies from across the Salt Lake County area. Unified Police has a full time sworn member assigned to the unit.

    CAR responds to all major traffic accidents resulting in substantial bodily injury or fatalities. The members of CAR have extensive specialized training and experience to be able to reconstruct accident scenes.

    CAR is also involved in public safety awareness programs such as the recent initiative pushing education and awareness of pedestrian safety.

    Domestic Violence and Fraud/Forgery Unit

    This unit is comprised of one sergeant, four domestic violence detectives, two fraud/forgery investigators, and a District Attorney’s Office liaison. These detectives assume responsibility for domestic violence cases needing additional follow-up while working closely with department Victim Advocates to ensure victims receive the resources and support they need. Detectives assigned to Financial Crimes specialize in complex fraud/forgery and embezzlement cases in which victims have suffered substantial losses.