Division Secretary:  Crystal Williams  (409)983-8624

The Criminal Investigation Division  is responsible for the investigation of all crimes above Class B reported in the City of Port Arthur, including but not limited to: assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, child abuse/endangerment, missing persons and homicides.  This Division also conducts burglary and theft investigations and major crime scene searches. In addition, the division prepares all cases for filing with the District Attorney's office and testifies in all areas of criminal prosecution.

Each Detective has his or her own area of expertise, such as Auto Theft, Fraud, Family Violence, Homicide, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse, however, all Detectives receive cross-training and can function when dealing with crimes from other areas.

Detectives

*** Violent Crimes Unit ***

The Violent Crimes Unit Investigators investigate all Homicides, Robberies, Aggravated Assaults, 
Kidnapping, Theft from Persons, and Assaults (non Family Violence.)

*** Burglary ***

The Burglary Investigators investigate all Burglary offenses including, Burglary of a Habitation, 
Business, Building, Coin Operated Machines, and Thefts
(other than checks, credit cards, & internal thefts.)

*** Sex Offender Registration & Compliance ***

*** Sex Crimes ***

The Sex Crimes Investigators investigate all Sexual Assaults, Injury to Elderly, Injury to a Child, 
Child Endangerment/ Abandonment, Protective Orders, and Violations of Court Orders.

*** Fraud & Forgery ***

The Fraud & Forgery Investigator investigates all Theft of Checks, Credit Card Abuse, Scams, 
Pigeon Drops,  Internal Thefts, Thefts by Check (Over $1500), and Forgeries.  He also investigates
 Cyber Crimes (Crimes involving the Internet.)

*** Auto Theft ***

The Auto Theft Investigators investigate all Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle Cases, Auto Burglaries, and Stolen vehicles from other cities recovered in Port Arthur.  Detective Boudreaux is also an investigator on the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force. The Auto Theft Investigators also handle registering your car in the Help End Auto Theft  (H.E.A.T.) Program.  
For more information please call Detective Boudreaux or Detective Holmes.

Visit the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force at:

http://www.watchyourcars.com/

*** Family Violence ***

The Family Violence Investigator investigates all Family Violence Assaults and any other 
Family related incidents.

*** Misdemeanors ***

The Misdemeanor Crimes Investigators investigate all Criminal Mischief, Criminal Trespass, 
Evading Arrest/ Detention, Resisting Arrest, Retaliation, Harassment/ Threats, 
Cruelty to Animals and Bomb Threat cases.   

Back to top

Evidence and Property

The Property Clerk is responsible for purchasing uniforms, equipment and supplies for the Department.

The Evidence Technician receives all property taken as evidence, for safekeeping, or as
found property. Evidence refers to property that is related to the commission of a crime; found property is
non-evidentiary property that is lost or abandoned and is not suspected of connection with any criminal offense;
“safekeeping” refers to non-evidentiary property maintained in Department custody on behalf of the owner. 

The Evidence Technician is responsible for properly accounting for, logging, and maintaining all property received on a case until there is a final court adjudication. If property was simply found and booked for safekeeping, the technician can release the property to the owner. 

There are various statutory requirements concerning the storage and disposal of property. These are laws that
specify the time periods that items must be retained by law enforcement agencies and the format of certain
required notifications. Any serialized property received must be checked to verify whether it has been reported lost or stolen. When property is identified and available for release to the owner, the Technician sends a letter stating that the property is at the Police Department and requests that the owner call so arrangements can be made for its return. 

Access to the property room and other property storage areas is strictly controlled and entry is limited to only
certain employees. Any movement of property in or out of the property room is properly recorded. When property
is temporarily given to an officer or detective for court testimony purposes, the removal of each item is recorded on an official Property Record, which maintains the chain of custody. The signature of the person receiving the
property, the date and hour the property was released, and the destination of the property are all recorded. 

Following adjudication, all property still in the control of the Evidence Technician is released at the earliest possible date to the owner. The owner of the property must sign a declaration of ownership under penalty of perjury. After a specified amount of time, unclaimed property of no appreciable monetary value can be sold at public auction or destroyed. The Police Department contracts with a private service which disposes of thousands of pieces of property at auctions open to the general public. 

All seized controlled substances and related instruments and paraphernalia which are unlawfully used or possessed are, under court order, destroyed. This is done through a service that specializes in narcotics disposal for law enforcement agencies. Guns and other weapons which are unlawfully possessed are also destroyed at a specified time each year.

 Bicycles are frequently picked up by police officers or turned in by citizens. If you have lost a bicycle, call the Property & Evidence Unit with a description of your lost bike.

Property & Evidence Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mon. thru Friday.
Phone: (409)983-8653

If you need to pick up property, call to make an appointment.

Back to the top

Back to the PAPD Home Page