Criminal Investigations Division

The Criminal Investigations Divisions performs follow-up investigations on all preliminary reports taken by the Uniform Patrol Division. This highly specialized division investigates crimes against persons (assault, battery, homicide, rape, etc) crimes against property (burglary, robbery, theft, trespass, vandalism, etc), narcotics and vice investigations, and crimes against children. The Criminal Investigations Division consists of nine certified law enforcement officers and one civilian position.

Investigators from the division take a proactive approach toward drug enforcement which is the primary driving force behind a majority of reported crimes. This proactive approach and further education of the community has helped lead to some of the lowest property crime statistics in over ten years

Some types of investigations require investigators to work with a host of multi-jurisdictional partners to include the District Attorney’s Office, the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, the Child Advocacy Center and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and other area hospitals. Investigations are undertaken with a multi-disciplined team approach with our partner resources allowing the investigators to insure a complete and thorough investigation of all allegations.

The division also maintains a registry of Registered Sex Offenders living within Lumpkin County and insures active compliance with applicable reporting laws of these individuals. Registered Sex Offenders are listed on the agency’s website; www.lumpkinsheriff.com.

If you would like to speak with an investigator please call 706-864-0414 or if you have information regarding an investigation and would like to remain anonymous please call the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 706-864-0412 Ext.555.

Crime Scene Unit / Evidence Custodian

Although all investigators are trained in crime scene processing one investigator is assigned to crime scene investigations. This highly trained and experienced investigator has the primary responsibility of processing crime scenes. This investigator also has the meticulous and arduous task of processing submitted evidence and maintaining the evidence room. The assignment also requires the investigator to perform marijuana identification tests for all marijuana submitted by members of the agency and handwriting analysis of suspected forged documents.

The crime scene investigator also drives a full size 2004 Ford Van that is equipped to process most crime scenes. This van was purchased in 2007 with seized drug funds due to the mechanically ailing crime scene van that had been in operation for a number of years. Sheriff McClure hopes that this equipment will aid in the proper processing of crime scenes so that those responsible for committing crimes can be caught and successfully prosecuted.

Victim Assistance Coordinator

It has always been the policy of the Lumpkin County Sheriff' Office for officers to offer assistance to victims of crime when responding to a call, but often times officers have other calls to which they must immediately respond and cannot devote the time that the victim needs. Further, we know from first hand experience that victimization does not end with the mere filing of a report to law enforcement.

For the past two years, there has been victim assistance available through the District Attorney' Office, but their office only makes contact with the victim after an arrest has been made. Although we at the Sheriff's Office make diligent efforts to make arrests, we are not always able to do so. Sheriff McClure became aware that there were some victims of crime in this county that were not receiving adequate follow-up with their concerns due to time and manpower restraints, and wanted to offer the victims of crime in this county more assistance.

For this reason, in 2005 the Sheriff's Office applied for and received a grant under the Victims of Crime Act for a victim assistance coordinator from the Sheriff's Office to assist victims, effective 2006. The grant pays for 100% of the cost for this part time position.

The victim assistance coordinator will act as a first responder to the scene for immediate assistance to victims of homicides, fatality accidents, suicide or attempted suicides, sexual assaults, child abuse, domestic violence, persons shot or stabbed, lost persons/child, or hostage/barricaded gunman. The victim assistance coordinator will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will assist victims with immediate needs such as emergency referrals for food, shelter, clothing, medical care, etc., as well as contacting victim' family or support system, or transporting victims to a safe haven when necessary. The victim assistance coordinator will facilitate crime scene clean-up, and accompany the victim to forensic examinations, line-ups, interviews, and crime scene for review. As the investigation moves forward, the victim assistance coordinator will offer continued emotional support to the victims, assist with return of property to the victim, as well as offer referrals to social service agencies to assist victim with the ongoing problems resulting from crime. The victim assistance coordinator will provide the victim with information about how the criminal justice system works and the status of the case, and make sure the victim is aware of all the rights provided to them under the Georgia Crime Victim' Bill or Rights.

The Office for the Victim Assistance Coordinator is located in the mobile home adjacent to the Sheriff' Office. This space is also shared with a representative from No One Alone (NOA). This representative works in a coordinated effort with the domestic violence investigator and deputies to provide appropriate and timely assistance to victims of domestic violence. Anyone who has been victimized by a crime in Lumpkin County, and needs assistance, will now have someone in place at the Sheriff' Office to offer him or her assistance.

The Victim Assistance Coordinator can be reached in her office at (706) 864-0412 Ext. 527