Criminal Investigations
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is part of the Support Operations Bureau. The Division is staffed with Detective Sergeants and Corporals. The detectives normally transfer into the division after gaining years of law enforcement experience working the patrol division. The Investigations Division is broken down into three crime categories: Crimes Against Persons, Property Crimes and Narcotics. CID detectives work closely with surrounding agencies to recover stolen property, apprehend offenders, and investigate narcotic activity, as criminal activity may begin in one district and extend to others.
- Crimes against persons refer to a category of criminal offenses that involve direct harm or the threat of harm to individuals. These crimes are characterized by their focus on the physical, emotional, or psychological well-being of a person. They encompass a wide range of illegal activities, from minor assaults to severe acts of violence resulting in injury or death. Understanding crimes against persons is crucial for maintaining public safety and ensuring justice for victims. Crimes against persons can be broadly categorized into the following subcategories:
Assault and Battery, Homicide, Sexual Offenses, Kidnapping and Abduction, Robbery, Stalking, Domestic Violence, Assault on Law Enforcement Officers, Hate Crimes, and Terrorism. - Crimes against property refer to a category of offenses that involve the unlawful interference with or deprivation of someone's property. These crimes are typically committed with the intention of gaining personal benefit or causing harm to others by damaging or taking their possessions. Property crimes encompass a wide range of illegal activities, including theft, burglary, arson, vandalism, and fraud.
After the Patrol Division completes initial investigations of crimes, cases are forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CID supervisor reviews each report to determine if there are viable leads. If not, the case is closed.
If viable leads are found, the case is assigned to an investigator, who will list the case as one of the following:
- Active: If the case has viable leads, such as a witness or physical evidence, they are forwarded to an investigator. Active investigations can take anywhere from a few days to several years. Once an investigation is completed and there is probable cause to establish an identified suspect has committed a crime, the results of the investigation are filed with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office for charges and dispositions.
- Unfounded: The incident reported was determined, after the investigation, as not involving a violation of the law.
- Suspended: The investigation has stopped because all investigative leads have been exhausted and there is not enough evidence to file a case.
The Live Oak Police Department maintains a separate unit for receiving and investigating complaints from citizens against Live Oak Police Officers and Civilian Employees. The Internal Affairs Section is a separate unit, which reports directly to the Chief and his Executive Staff. It is a fact-finding entity, and its purpose is three-fold:
- Protecting the Public: The public has the right to receive fair, efficient, and impartial law enforcement. Any misconduct by Live Oak Police personnel must first be detected, thoroughly investigated and, finally, properly adjudicated to assure the maintenance of these qualities.
- Protecting the Police Department: The Police Department is often evaluated and judged by the conduct of its individual employees. It is imperative that the whole organization not be criticized because of the misconduct of a few. An informed public must have confidence that its Police Department honestly and fairly investigates and adjudicates all allegations of misconduct against its employees.
- Protecting the Employee: Employees must be protected against false or misinformed allegations of misconduct. This can only be accomplished through a consistently thorough investigative process. Sworn statements submitted to the Internal Affairs Section are notarized and treated in the same manner as testimony in a court of law. Therefore, perjury statutes apply. Complaints that are shown to be false will be forwarded to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of criminal charges.
The Internal Affairs Section is in the Live Oak Police Justice Center. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Phone messages can be left any time after hours and will be promptly returned.
Live Oak Justice Center
(210) 945-1700
professionalstandards@liveoaktx.net
8022 Shin Oak Drive Live Oak, TX 78233
