WINTERGREEN POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIONS

The community of Wintergreen enjoys a rather low crime rate; however, there will still be some criminal activity that needs to be addressed. Investigations by the Wintergreen Police Department begin with the first responding officer to the scene of an incident. All officers carry out initial procedures to include, but not limited to, determining if a crime has occurred, taking initial statements from complainants and witnesses, an initial examination for evidence, and securing the scene. All of our officers are trained in crime scene investigation while some have received training in specialized investigation techniques. The Department may also collaborate with other law enforcement agencies on certain cases.

Patrol officers often initiate preliminary investigations of all crimes; if the case is a felony, it will most likely be handed to investigations for follow-up. The responsibility of investigations is to properly investigate all cases assigned with special emphasis given to the collection and preservation of evidence, crime scene searches, photography, sketching of the scene, canvassing the immediate vicinity for possible witnesses, apprehension of offenders, recovery of property and preparation of cases for prosecution.

The primary purpose of a police investigation is to determine if a crime occurred, to collect facts leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the offender, and to organize these facts in a report to present the evidence of guilt in such a manner that successful prosecution may occur.

Investigations is also a link between the community and the Wintergreen Police Department to educate the community on ways they can protect themselves from being crime victims. The Department offers tips and videos on the Community Relations page of this website as well as the Department’s Facebook page.

WINTERGREEN POLICE DEPARTMENT 434-325-1106