General Investigations Unit
The General Investigations Unit is comprised of highly trained police officers and civilian employees who are committed to providing professional service to the community of Tracy by conducting thorough investigations to ensure a successful prosecution.
The unit works closely with other county, state, and federal organizations as well as the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office to obtain and secure criminal complaints and convictions.
The primary function of the General Investigations Unit is to provide follow-up to those cases which warrant investigation beyond what can be provided by patrol personnel. Oftentimes, these cases require additional technical skills and extensive follow-up.
Such crimes include homicides, robberies, gang-related crimes and intelligence, sex offenses, financial crimes, burglaries, and hi-tech crimes.
The General Investigations Unit comprises 1 sergeant, 10 detectives, 1 crime analyst, and 1 administrative assistant.
Special Investigations Unit
The Special Investigations Unit is responsible for investigating the use, sales, and transportation of illicit drugs, vice crimes, and human trafficking. Detectives work with the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office in seeking successful prosecutions of those crimes. In addition, they provide expert courtroom testimony in the area of human trafficking and illegal drugs.
The Special Investigations Unit consists of four highly trained detectives and a supervisor who reports to the BOI Lieutenant.
Crime Analyst
The Crime Analyst provides varied analytical support relating to crime and criminal intelligence by researching, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating statistical information and reports to Department Command Staff to assist in making operational changes and decisions. Through the use of technology, they help to identify crime trends and work to establish patterns that may help to predict future criminal activity.
Crime Scene and Property Unit
The mission of the Tracy Police Department’s Crime Scene and Property Unit is to respond to crime scenes and critical incidents where evidence is processed, documented and collected.
The processing and documenting of evidence includes, but is not limited to, forensic photography, videography, scene scans, swab sampling, video surveillance retrieval, written reports, and the collection of physical evidence.
The unit works closely with the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office during the criminal prosecution process, including providing them with discovery materials for the trial and testifying to the court.
The unit is also responsible for maintaining the integrity of evidence and property by packaging, preserving, securely storing, and tracking all evidence and property which members of the department collect.
There are four Crime Scene Technicians, one Property and Evidence Technician, and one supervisor assigned to the unit, which the Bureau of Investigations Lieutenant oversees.
Crime Scene Unit personnel have received extensive training in crime scene investigations and property and evidence management. They are also members of the California State Division of the International Association of Identification (CSDIAI) and the California Association of Property and Evidence (CAPE).
In 2019 Unit members performed 547 investigations and collected and processed a total of 8,944 individual items of evidence. A Total of 52 identifications were made through latent print evidence. They also completed 564 discovery requests for the District Attorney’s Office.
Crime Scene Unit members are also responsible for the release and disposal of evidence and property once a criminal case has been adjudicated. This involves continuous research of cases through the court system. Evidence and Property must be properly disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
Crime Scene Unit members are also responsible for the release and disposal of evidence and property once a criminal case has been adjudicated.
This involves continuous research of cases through the court system. Evidence and Property must be properly disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
This process may include:
- Returning the property to the legal owner
- Destroying by burning at a federally approved incineration facility
- Sending to public auction
- Donating to specific organizations authorized by law.
In 2019, the unit incinerated 1009 lbs. of firearms and other contraband evidence and 2,015 lbs. of illegal narcotics and controlled substances. During this same year, the department’s new evidence facility was opened.
The nearly 16,800-square-foot facility is outfitted with evidence lockers, three large evidence vaults, a drying room, a property release room, ample space for evidence vehicles and processing, and a car lift.
Property Release
Do you have property that was taken as evidence or during an arrest? Please click below.
Bureau Commander
Captain Luis Mejia
Bureau of Investigations
Tracy Police Department
1000 Civic Center Drive
Tracy, CA 95376