Detective Bureau
In
2009, the
Glendale Police Department
Detective Bureau conducted a total of 612 investigations.
Of those, 131 were cases turned over for full investigation, 4 remain as
open investigations, 22 are closed as inactive, and 104 were cleared. The
remaining 481 investigations were done in conjunction with patrol and Detective
Bureau personnel as assists and follow-ups. These totals show an increase in
cases turned over for full investigation by 3 and a decrease in follow up
investigations by 72. The drop in
follow up activity is due, in part, to the Bureau’s involvement in a number of
complex and high profile cases, specifically the investigation and clearance of
two homicides. The Bureau’s
overall clearance rate for 2009 is 82%.
Bookings recorded for 2009 totaled 904, of which 135 were repeat bookings
of individuals previously arrested by the Department.
This represents an increase in new bookings by 77 and an increase in
repeated bookings of 26 as compared to 103 in 2008.
The Computer Forensics Unit, staffed by Sergeant Michael Morris and
Office Thomas Treder, continues to support Detective Bureau investigations,
conducting 4 forensic examinations of computers in 2009 involving a large
internal theft from a financial institution, sexual assault, and child abuse.
The forensic examination of a computer is an extremely complex and time
consuming job, taking months to complete, that requires extensive training and
patience. I would like to take this
opportunity to once again commend Sergeant Morris and Officer Treder for their
continued dedication to duty.
Since the State of
Wisconsin
began requiring recorded interviews of all juveniles and adults arrested for
felonies, the Detective Bureau has taken on the role of not only ensuring that
the requirement and related policies are followed, but also one of managing the
recorded files. All required
interviews are electronically recorded to standard play DVD’s and inventoried
as evidence. In 2009, a total of 257
interviews were recorded. Of the 257 recorded interviews, 167 were done by
patrol personnel and 90 done by Detectives.
Another administrative function of the Detective Bureau is the management
of our mug shot images. For 2009,
1121 mug shots were captured for individuals arrested and transported to the GPD
lock up. This reflects a slight
decrease from 2008 which can be attributed to changes made in OAR and OAS
traffic law that in turn resulted in fewer in custody arrests for traffic
violations.
The Detective Bureau also continues to manage the evidence, photograph,
and fingerprint files, as well as assist with the coordination of the City’s
liquor, special gathering, and transient merchant permits.
Noted highlights for 2009:
January
4, 2009: AMBER ALERT
The Detective Bureau coordinated a regional effort to locate a missing
endangered child reportedly abducted from an address in the City of
Glendale
by her biological and very violent, father.
The child was located, alive and well, within hours.
March
30, 2009 to April 2, 2009 Amber Alert Child Abduction Response Team training
Jersey City
,
NJ
After the successful Amber Alert three Detective Bureau personnel
attended an intense three day training session in
Jersey City
,
NJ
to prepare for the formation and participation in a regional Child Abduction
Response Team (CART). The knowledge
gained at this training was brought back to GPD and added to our child abduction
response plan.
HOMICIDE
On November 22, 2008 an elderly City of
Glendale
resident was severely beaten in a home invasion robbery.
The beating was so bad that he remained hospitalized and died on March 9,
2009. His death was caused by a
head/brain injury received during the November 22 beating.
This
was labor intensive case and a true “who dunnit” that required an extensive
amount of old-fashioned detective work. After
several months of interviewing potential suspects and witnesses the hard work
paid off and probable cause to arrest a suspect was met.
The suspect was arrested, brought to GPD, and questioned.
A skillful interview resulted in his confession and to the identity of a
second suspect. This second suspect
was arrested, brought to GPD, and confessed as well.
The
case went to trial in 2010.
HOMICIDE-OFFICER
INVOLVED SHOOTING April, 16, 2009
On April 16, 2009 the Cornerstone Bank in Fox Point was robbed by a lone
suspect who fled the scene south on
N. Port Washington Rd.
The suspect was located by officers
from the River Hills and Fox Point Police Departments at the corner of
N. Port Washington Rd.
and
W. Good Hope Rd.
The suspect shot at the officers
from his vehicle. The officers
returned fire, killing the suspect.
Because
the shooting occurred in the City of
Glendale
, The GPD was tasked with investigating the shooting.
Much of this work fell on the shoulders of Detectives Nitschke, Bichler,
and Lofy. While it was a justifiable
shooting, the case still required countless resources and man hours to
investigate properly. The
investigation included a comprehensive crime scene analysis, dozens of
witness’s interviews, and interviews with the involved officers.
The investigation was professionally done and received high praise from
the
Milwaukee
County
District Attorney
’s Office.
These are only a few examples of the work done by Detectives Nitschke,
Bichler, and Lofy and are a reflection of their continued dedication to service.
They are, I believe, some of the most valuable assets to the
Glendale Police Department
who work tirelessly for the citizens they serve to protect.
