Bureau of Investigation Divisions
WANTED
Arson Division
The New Orleans Police Department’s, Bureau of Investigations, has re-instituted its Arson Division to assist in the fight against arson fires in the City of New Orleans. The New Orleans Police Department’s “Arson Division” was created in 1982 when the New Orleans Police Department and New Orleans Fire Department joined their investigative expertise to combat the surge in incendiary fires which was then affecting the City. During the original years, of inception, the Squad was highly decorated by the New Orleans Police Department, Fire Department and the City Council for the City of New Orleans for its years of success and dedication to duty.
The New Orleans Police Arson Division is currently working with the New Orleans Fire Department’s “Fire Prevention Section” to address the current incendiary incidents within the City. The Squad will be principally responsible for the investigation of suspicious fires causing property damage to residential and commercial properties or other such structures. In addition to these the Squad will also conduct the investigation of all explosions which are suspicious or those being the result of an explosive device.
Child Abuse Division
The Child Abuse Division is a specialized investigative unit responsible for conducting complete investigations of alleged Sexual Molestation/ Assault, Physical Abuse, Physical Neglect and Child Pornography and where the victim is under the age of thirteen. Also responsible for any criminal allegation where the perpetrator has a custodial relationship with the victim whose under the age of seventeen.
Homicide Division
The Homicide Division is responsible for the investigation of homicides, suicides, missing persons and unclassified deaths.
Presently for the year 2008 the Bureau of Investigations Homicide Division has experienced numerous successes. Its most notable was the unit’s return to police headquarters. There the Homicide Division was successful with the updating of interview and interrogation rooms with monitoring and video recording equipment. The Homicide Division has also been successful in securing a federal grant to purchase equipment such as notebook computers, network printers and other office supplies. Members of the Homicide Division continue to maintain numerous relationships with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, along with local, state and federal prosecutors. The Homicide Division continues in maintaining its success with the unit’s clearance and solve rates well above the National Average for Homicide Investigations. Presently for the year 2008 members of the Homicide Section have handled the following:
· Homicide Investigators handled 161 Homicide Investigations and 156 Murder Investigations.
In addition to the above for the year 2008, members of the Homicide Division handled a total of 11 Police Related Investigations. This number represented investigations of police related shootings and custodial deaths. Members of the Homicide Division handled the murder investigation of Police Officer Nicola Cotton and were successful in the arrest of the individual responsible.
In 2008, the Homicide Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigations continue the first of its kind partnership with Federal Bureau of Investigations’ Agents working with homicide investigators. This partnership continues to be greatly successful with not only murder investigations, but the relationship as a whole between the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney General’s Office. In 2008, the joint efforts between homicide investigators and FBI Agents continue to produce dividends with investigations being adopted by the United States for federal prosecution.
Property Investigations Division
The Property Investigations Division is a division of the Bureau of Investigations of the New Orleans Police Department. It is located on the 3rd Floor of Police Headquarters, 715 South Broad Street. It is comprised of the following units: Auto Theft Unit, Towing & Recovery Unit, Forgery Unit, Financial Crimes Unit and the Pawnshop Unit.
The Auto Theft Unit is responsible for follow-up Auto Theft investigations as well as investigations that involve insurance fraud. They work closely with members of the insurance industry, as well as other law enforcement agencies, to combat all aspects of auto theft and related crimes. The Auto Theft Unit can be reached at 504-658-5645 or 504-658-5646.
The Towing and Recovery Unit is responsible for managing the New Orleans Police Department’s Tow Service Call Allocation List. The Unit also conducts daily patrols for hazardous and abandoned vehicles located on the interstate highways within the city limits. In addition, the Unit conducts periodic inspections of towing facilities of companies on the Allocation List, to insure compliance with all laws and regulations. The Towing and Recovery Unit can be reached at 504-658-5543.
The Forgery Unit is responsible for conducting all major forgery investigations as well as follow-up investigations that have been initiated by district personnel. The Forgery Unit can be reached at 504-658-5330.
The Pawn Shop Unit monitors Pawnbrokers to insure compliance with all laws and regulations. The Pawn Shop Unit can be reached at 504-658-5326.
Sex Crimes Division
A Specialized Investigative Unit responsible for handling the initial and follow up
investigations of all statutory sexual assault acts: Rape, Sexual Battery and Carnal Knowledge
(except those handled by Child Abuse). This unit is also responsible for the registration,
compliance and monitoring of all registered Sex Offenders residing in and visiting the City of New
Orleans.
Victim and Witness Assistance Unit
A Specialized Unit responsible for contacting and assisting victims and witnesses who
have been a victim of any UCR crime and offer resources from Louisiana Victim / Witness
Reparation Fund. The unit also refers victims and witnesses to appropriate agencies for further assistance.