Divisions
Criminal Investigations Division
(815)334-4750
The Criminal Investigations Division’s mission is to investigate criminal acts committed within McHenry County, identify offenders associated with said acts, and to facilitate their prosecution. To accomplish this mission the division is comprised of the following: Criminal Investigations Division, Narcotics/Gang Division, Fugitive Apprehension Division and Evidence Division. Each division works in conjunction with the Patrol Division to bring offenders to justice while preserving the rights of the victim and the accused.
Our division consists of a group of highly trained detectives who have a high level of expertise and deploy a wide variety of techniques on everything from lifting fingerprints to collecting specimens for DNA analysis. Each detective handles a wide variety of complaints ranging from domestic violence, property crimes such as burglaries, to overseeing complex crime scene investigations, including but not limited to homicides, sexual assaults, armed robberies, arson and home invasions.
Detectives work Monday through Saturday and maintain a standby “on-call” schedule, where they must be readily available by phone at all times and are expected to respond to emergency calls whenever necessary 24 hours a day.
We encourage the public to report a crime by contacting the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Division at (815)334-4750, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office tip line at TipLine@co.mchenry.il.us, or by contacting Crimestoppers at 1-800-STOP (7867). Either way you report a crime, you will not have to divulge your identity and the information you provide will remain confidential.
How to avoid being a victim:
- Keep all doors and windows locked
- Do not go out at night by yourself
- Do not walk alone, walk in pairs
- Do not leave valuables visible in automobiles
- Keep an inventory and photographs of all major articles
What to do if victimized:
- Call 9-1-1 for police assistance immediately
- Do not touch any article or surface at the scene, as the detectives may be able to
find fingerprints
- In the case of sexual assault, do not take a bath or change clothes
- Have information such as serial numbers and photographs of your possessions
readily accessible
- Make a note of suspicious vehicles or subjects in your area. Vehicle colors, license
plate numbers and the height, weight and facial features of people would be
beneficial.