COLUMN: About the ECSO Criminal Investigation Division

Submitted photo.

Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown.

This week, I'd like to share with you some information about your Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division. This is the division that's responsible for investigating the reported criminal offenses that occur in rural Ellis County. These are the offenses that occur outside of the incorporated city limits of any city that has a municipal police department.

Our CID is headed up by a lieutenant and sergeant and they're the ones who oversee our team of nine investigators. Each of these investigators is assigned to an area of expertise in which they've received specialized training. Two of our investigators are responsible for the investigations of crimes against persons. These cases include misdemeanors and felonies and range from simple assaults to homicides.

Six of our investigators are assigned to handle property crimes cases, which include everything from criminal mischief to burglaries and white collar crime. Our property crimes investigators are each assigned to a district within the county, which helps us in the detection of any patterns of criminal behavior.

We have one investigator whose full-time assignment is investigating sex offense cases; this investigator also handles sex offender registrations and monitors their compliance. All of our narcotics cases are investigated by our Narcotics Task Force.

Rounding out our CID staffing is a full-time crime scene technician, who is responsible for the collection of evidence at crime scenes. Our crime scene technician, who's undergone advanced training in fingerprint analysis, is frequently called upon to assist other agencies with their prints.

The cases that come to us usually start with patrol deputies responding to a citizen's call for service. Patrol takes the initial report and conducts a preliminary investigation. The case is then given to CID, where it's assigned to an investigator for further investigation. After following up on any leads, obtaining arrest and search warrants and gathering the evidence, the case is put together and submitted to the DA's office for prosecution.

This is a good time to remind you of some of the programs your Sheriff's Office makes available to you to help you, your family and your belongings stay safe and secure. Our Crime Prevention Division deputies can assist you in setting up a Neighborhood Crime Watch and you can reach them by calling 972-937-6060. All of our different crime prevention programs are listed on our website, www.elliscountysheriff.com, where you'll also find a link to a free serial number registry service we've made available for your use.

Your Sheriff's Office recently established an Exchange Zone where you can conduct personal, business and civil transactions in our parking lot southeast of the jail. This is intended to provide a place where you can feel more secure when meeting someone in-person. We've got two parking spots set aside for your use. Both are marked with our Exchange Zone signage and both are within view of our high-definition video cameras.

Your Sheriff's Office also participates in the Crime Stoppers of Ellis County program and we encourage you to call in if you know of any criminal activity going on. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and or conviction of a crime and you can remain anonymous. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week; you can reach it by calling 972-937-PAYS (7297).

Please, everyone, let's keep our military and service personnel in our thoughts and prayers. We enjoy our rights and freedoms because of their service and safekeeping of our great nation. Y'all have a Blessed Week.

Johnny Brown has served as Sheriff of Ellis County since Jan. 1, 2009, and is a graduate of the National Sheriff's Institute. He has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and holds a Master's Peace Officer's Certificate with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.