Eagle River detective unit

Details

The Eagle River Detective Unit is supervised by the Burglary Sergeant and responsible for investigating felony-level property crimes, robberies, and assaults that occur in the Eagle River service area.  They will also assist the detectives of other Units with investigations that occur in the Eagle River service area.

TYPES OF CRIMES: The Eagle River Detective Unit is responsible for investigating felony-level property crimes, robberies, and assaults that occur in the Eagle River service area.  They will also assist the detectives of the Homicide, Sexual Assault and Crimes Against Children and Domestic Violence Units when these cases occur in the Eagle River service area.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: In addition to their investigation of felony-level crimes in the Eagle River service area and their assistance to other detective Units with crimes that occur in the Eagle River service area, the unit is responsible for maintaining working relationships with the patrol officers and community council members of the Eagle River service area, as well as maintaining working relationships with law enforcement agencies in the Matanuska-Sustina Borough area (such as the Alaska State Troopers, and Wasilla and Palmer Police Departments). 

DETECTIVES ASSIGNED: Currently two detectives make up the unit.

CASE PROCESS: The initial crime is reported.  This is likely taken by a Patrol Officer (there are some limited exceptions where certain crimes that the unit will investigate can be reported online).  Officers will attempt to contact victims, witnesses, and known suspects if possible, as well as collect any available evidence and a list of items stolen or damaged during the incident if applicable.  Regarding stolen property, victims can contact the Officer, APD Records or file an online report to add information on additional stolen items.

Felony-level cases are screened by the Unit Supervisor and may be assigned.  Additionally, some cases may be brought to the detectives’ attention by the investigating Patrol Officer.  If the case meets the Unit’s triage standards (which includes criteria such as viable physical evidence available, reliable witness testimony, etc.) the case will be assigned to a detective.  The detective will then prioritize the case with consideration to their current caseload and begin working it as soon as feasible.  Detectives will contact victims, witnesses, and suspects as soon as they can.  They will also attempt to gather additional physical evidence.  Depending on the individual circumstances of the case, this process could take an extended amount of time.  There are also other factors that will affect this, such as vacation time, illness, lab processing wait times and record requests.

While the Anchorage Police Department would like to investigate every case that comes to the unit, not all cases will get assigned.  Circumstances, such as personnel unavailability, no viable investigatory leads and or uncooperative parties will affect case assignment.