To find out which Detective is assigned to your case, call 972-466-3290.  You will be directed to someone who can assist you or you may contact one of the Section Supervisors.

Overview of How the Investigative Section Works:

Detectives generally work in plainclothes and investigate crimes that are often complex and may extend over a significant period of time or geographical area. Cases received by this division are usually assigned to a detective in the Crimes Against Persons Section, Special Victims Unit, Financial Crimes, or the Property Crimes Section. All of the Detectives meet regularly to discuss and compare ongoing cases.

Once a detective is assigned an individual case, they will review all case information and look for similarities with other cases as well as at solvability factors. Based on leads provided in the case, the detective will begin to conduct their investigation. The detective may conduct additional witness and victim interviews and review relevant information for additional leads as needed.

The detective and crime scene investigators will also look at and interpret any evidence such as property descriptions, photos, surveillance video, fingerprint analysis, and a myriad of any other sources or items of evidentiary value. The detective may also partner with our Intelligence Division to look for any patterns or relationships with other crimes. If the detective receives or develops suspect information during their investigation, they will interview the suspect(s). Although detectives examine every case for possible leads, some cases simply provide no opportunity for investigative follow-up. Nonetheless, detectives remain dedicated to service for each and every crime victim.

If the investigation produces enough evidence to legally justify an arrest, the detective will prepare an affidavit requesting an arrest warrant be issued and it will be presented to a judge. The detective will then complete their investigation and compile all the paperwork needed for prosecution and forward the case to the appropriate District Attorney’s Office. Since Carrollton lies in three separate counties (Dallas, Denton, and Collin), the location of the crime directs which county the case is filed in.  

While this is a general overview of what happens to a case when assigned to a Detective, there are different variables that can impact the actual investigative steps of each individual case.

Detectives engage multiple resources, tools, and partners both within and outside the department to meet the needs of solving their individual cases and remain committed to conducting quality investigations and solving crimes.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Will I be contacted? You will be contacted by the detective assigned your case within a few days of the detective receiving the case from a CID Sergeant. 

Will I be updated on the case? During the investigation of the case, detectives follow up with crime victims to ask and answer questions, request additional information, when there is a significant development in the case, and when the case is solved or inactivated. 

What are Solvability Factors? Solvability factors are used to assess the likelihood that an ongoing investigation will successfully solve a case and lead to prosecution.  Solvability factors include witnesses to a crime, knowing a suspect’s name or where the suspect may be, description of a suspect, video evidence, serial numbers, property with identifiable characteristics, physical evidence found at the scene, distinct pattern (modus operandi), vehicle descriptions, and other elements. If you have additional information that may help with solvability, please contact your assigned detective.

Can I get a copy of the report?  A full copy of your police report can be requested under the Texas Public Information Act.  These requests are handled through the City Secretary’s Office via the Open Records process. The City provides several convenient ways for you to submit your public information request.  (1) You may submit an online form through the City's customer portal by visiting www.cityofcarrollton.com/openrecords  (2) you may request a form from the City Secretary's Office and hand deliver or mail it to 1945 E. Jackson Rd, Carrollton, Texas 75006; (3) you may fax the form to the City Secretary's Office at (972) 466-3252.  Please note that for public information request to be valid, it must be submitted in writing to the City.  Please call (972) 466-3290 with any questions.