Investigation Services
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Investigation Services is responsible for the investigation of crimes such as homicides, sexual assaults, street and organized crime and a variety of other incidents.
Specially trained officers and civilians work in each unit under the Investigation Services umbrella. Members of each unit work cooperatively to conduct investigations, expose criminal activity, and protect at-risk individuals such as children and the elderly.
Forensic identification, technological analysis, intelligence gathering and joint-force operations with other agencies are some of the advanced techniques our officers use to complete investigations.
To learn more about the subdivisions under Investigation Services, expand one of the topics below.
Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District is a non-profit community service program that was implemented locally in 1985. Through its partnerships with the media, the public, and law enforcement agencies, the Crime Stoppers program aims to solve and prevent crime by providing the community with a means of anonymously reporting criminal activity.
Using the Crime Stoppers telephone line (705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477) and anonymous online reporting system (www.p3tips.com), Crime Stoppers processes the reports it receives and disseminates them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 if the information provided leads to an arrest or successful conclusion.
To learn more about how you can get involved and how the program works please visit Crime Stoppers.
The Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) work cooperatively to target drug trafficking, human trafficking, biker crime, and other organized crime within our community. These units work on special projects to help target street-level crimes while also taking part in joint enforcement projects with other agencies across the province.
Officers in these units investigate criminal activity based on crime trends and intelligence information. They will apprehend wanted individuals and provide services directly related to the prevention of crime. These units work under the umbrella of Investigation Services and are specifically selected based on their experience, education, and training.
Members of our Forensic Identification Unit are responsible for recording, collecting, locating and examining evidence at crime scenes. They use their specialized skills to assist investigators in a variety of situations such as break and enters, motor vehicle collisions, homicides, assaults and anything in between.
The collection of evidence can be as simple as taking a series of photos, or as complex as using a digital 3D scanner to record a scene, or swabbing blood, using powders or chemicals to develop fingerprints, picking up broken car parts at a motor vehicle collision or charred debris at the scene of a fire.
Currently our Forensic Unit has a Sergeant, Constable and a civilian Forensic Identification Technician. All completed an intense nine week training course and are accredited through either the Ontario Police College or the Canadian Police College.
Our Fraud Unit investigates every fraud complaint that is taken in by the police service and works closely with banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions. The Fraud Unit investigates financial crimes but also assists in educating the public on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
This unit also doubles as the Service’s Elder Abuse Coordinator. As the Elder Abuse Coordinator, this officer investigates financial crimes against seniors, nursing home/senior care related complaints and potential crimes related to Powers of Attorney. In addition to these investigations, the unit works from a preventative perspective by providing education and presentations to various senior’s communities.
For more information please visit the website of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
To request a presentation by the officer in the Fraud Unit please contact us here.
The Intimate Partner Violence Unit is dedicated to investigating and reviewing all reports of violence that occur in relationships with an intimate partner. This investigation and review takes place regardless of whether or not a criminal charge has been laid and this process is governed by a strict mandate.
The Unit works with community partners to ensure victims have access to vital services that can help end the destructive cycle of intimate partner violence. For more information on our partner agencies, please visit the links below.
Children's Aid Society of Algoma
- Children's Aid Society of Algoma is committed to protecting children and promoting their well-being by working collaboratively with children, families and communities through service excellence.
Nimkii Naabkawagan Family Crisis Shelter
- Nimkii Naabkawagan Family Crisis Shelter provides assistance to Anishinabe and non-Anishinabe women and their children who are living in an abusive relationship, have experienced a violent incident or have been threatened with violence.
Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services
- Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services will assist the communities in their responsibility to strengthen families and communities for the safety and well-being of children by providing community based services grounded in Anishnawbek values.
Sexual Assault Clinic (Sault Area Hospital)
- Sexual Assault/Partner Assault Care Team consists of a specially trained group of professionals available 24/7 on-call through the Emergency Department at Sault Area Hospital.
- Victim Services of Algoma is a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides on-scene crisis responders to provide services to victims of crime or tragic circumstance at the request of police, fire departments and emergency hospital staff in Sault Ste. Marie and East Algoma.
- Women In Crisis provides free temporary emergency shelter and support services 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for women who have or are experiencing abuse and violence.
Major Crime falls under the umbrella of Investigation Services and utilizes a standardized methodology for investigating criminal events such as homicides, sexual assaults and other violent crimes.
When a major crime has been determined to have taken place, Investigation Services moves into action, establishing a command triangle that consists of the Major Case Management role, Primary Investigator, and File Coordinator.
Major Case Management combines specialized training and investigative techniques to not only assist in solving a crime but to process a large volume of information while also analyzing potential links to other crimes across the province.
The Technological Crime Unit consists of three officers with highly specialized knowledge. These officers examine anything from computers to cellphones to determine if these devices have been used in any capacity related to a crime. The unit provides forensic analysis of technology with a primary focus on combating child pornography and the exploitation of children on the internet. For more information about how to protect your loved ones online, please visit the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
Online Child Abuse and Exploitation
If you have information about the online sexual abuse or exploitation of a child, have come across child sexual abuse material, or are concerned a child/youth is being victimized online, click here to report information to Cybertip.ca