The U.W. Madison Police Department’s detective bureau has seven detectives and a lieutenant. Two of the seven detectives are assigned to full time special task forces outside the department. One is assigned to the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the other is assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. These are rotating assignments.
The detective position is a permanent civil service sworn law enforcement appointment. The position of detective is generally a promotion from police officer. To be eligible an officer must have several years of experience and demonstrate investigative and problem solving skills.
The detectives working at the department have general investigation skills, and each has specialized training to give them certain skills for specific types of investigations. One detective specializes in sensitive crimes, a second in financial crimes, another in computer crimes and video forensics, the fourth one specializes in major property crimes, and the remaining detective specializes in person crimes.
In addition to their specialties, each detective works with a specific community officer on crime issues within the defined communities. One detective also works specifically with the University Hospital and Clinics on many of the crimes occurring there. This detective works closely with hospital security personnel and hospital staff on cases.
Detectives are generally assigned the more complex cases to follow up.
