Juvenile Investigations Bureau

Sergeant Jason Walker (217) 424-2738

The Juvenile Investigations Bureau is comprised of 1 Detective Sergeant, 12 Detectives, and 1 civilian clerk typist. There are two primary operational shifts; 7:00 am to 3:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 4 Detectives within the Juvenile Investigations Bureau are assigned predominately to the Decatur Public School System and work hours that correlate with the school day. All Detectives assigned to the Juvenile Investigations Bureau are on call 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. The Juvenile Investigations Bureau annually works nearly 1, 700 investigative cases. Of those cases, approximately 55% are criminal cases and 45% were child protective and child exploitation investigations. Included in these investigations are child death scenes and adult missing person cases. The Juvenile Investigations Bureau had nearly an 80% successful clearance rate on assigned cases, well above the national average.

Detectives assigned to the Juvenile Investigations Bureau face unique situations ranging from criminal investigations, status offenses, ordinance violations, social issues and deal with both adult and juvenile offenders as well as juvenile victims. Types of criminal offenses investigated by Detectives in the Juvenile Investigations Bureau include Homicide, Sexual Assaults, Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Burglary, Arson, Theft, Assault, and Weapon Offenses. The unit also has Detectives that have been nationally trained and specialize in forensic examinations of computers, cell phones and digital imaging, and have specialized investigative skills in area of Internet Online Sexual Predators.

Detectives assigned to the Juvenile Investigations Bureau receive special training pertaining to juvenile law, criminal law, interviewing & interrogation, evidence recognition, collection & processing, crime scene photography, court testimony, search & seizure laws, search/arrest warrant preparation, and internet computer crimes.

Detectives assigned with the Juvenile Investigations Bureau work with numerous outside Law Enforcement Agencies and Social Agencies such as the Department of Children & Family Services, Macon County Child Advocacy Center, U.S. Department of Immigrations & Customs, U.S. Postal Inspectors, U.S. Marshalls Service, and serve on several committees that review social and criminal issues regarding youth in the City of Decatur.

If you have information regarding a Juvenile Investigation please contact the Juvenile Investigations Bureau at 217-424-2738 or Crime Stoppers at 423-TIPS.