The Hampton Police Property Crimes Unit specializes in providing detailed in-depth investigations of property thefts, burglaries, auto thefts and financial crimes. The Property Crimes Unit consists of a Lieutenant (Unit Commander), two Sergeants and seventeen detectives
The investigative role of the Property Crimes Unit includes gathering information, interviewing victims and potential suspects, collecting evidence, arresting offenders, recovering property and facilitating the preparation of property crime cases for court prosecution. Detectives accomplish these tasks through the analysis of current crime trends, the uses of proven investigative techniques, modern police technology and the forensics sciences. Through this multi-faceted approach to investigations, criminal suspects are identified and apprehended.
Burglary Squad
- Detectives assigned to the burglary squad investigate residential and commercial burglaries throughout the city. Burglary cases are assigned to each detective based upon their geographical area of responsibility. Having detectives' assigned to specific regions within the city helps the investigator more effectively track known offenders and identify crime patterns and trends within his/her area
Auto-Theft
- The Auto Theft squad consists of detectives assigned to investigate the theft of motor vehicles, motorcycles, watercraft, recovered vehicles stolen from other jurisdictions, title fraud, and other issues associated with vehicle sales or auto repair businesses.
Financial Crimes Squad
- Detectives assigned to "financial crimes" work cases often referred to as "white-collar crimes." These types of crimes typically include such offenses as forgery/counterfeiting, bank fraud, credit card theft/fraud, identity theft, internet based financial crimes and intellectual property crime (violations of copyright and trademark law). Since financial crimes typically transgress the borders of the City of Hampton, detectives assigned to this unit specialize in working cases on a cooperative level with other local, state and federal agencies, as well as banks and other financial institutions throughout the United States. Additionally, one detective from the unit serves on the local Secret Service Task Force to facilitate the smooth transition of major fraud, embezzlement and counterfeit currency cases to the federal court system for prosecution.
Pawn Shops & Scrap Metal Dealers
- One detective is permanently assigned to monitor the pawn shops and scrap metal dealers within the city to ensure that they conform to applicable state laws and local ordinances regarding mandated business practices and recordkeeping.