The Detective Bureau is staffed by plainclothes officers who routinely investigate complaints of felony crime.  These complaints fall into two main categories, and are commonly referred to as Property Crimes and Crimes Against Persons.  Both sections are sub-divided into smaller groups, as represented in the sidebar to your left.   You may "click" on either category to learn more about that section.

While most detectives specialize in a certain type of crime, all of them have the ability to initiate a preliminary investigation into any complaint.  Casework is assigned and reviewed by section supervisors.

Since there are fewer detectives than uniformed officers, you may not always encounter a detective at every crime scene.  Unformed officers have been trained to conduct thorough preliminary investigations, in the absence of a detective.  If the incident qualifies for additional follow-up, a detective is assigned to the case, usually  within 24-48 hours of the incident.   

It's important to understand that every detective has a variety of active cases at all times. If you are working with an investigator, your case may be one of many complaints assigned to that detective.  Regardless of how you were victimized, or the extent of your loss, no one person or company has exclusive rights to an officer's time. There are simply not enough police officers to afford anyone that level of personalized service. Although an investigator may close one or more cases daily, new cases are constantly being assigned.  Because detectives spend little time in the office, and their investigative-attention has to be shared with many other victims, it may occasionally be difficult to make direct telephone contact with your assigned investigator.  In an attempt to help you get information to your detective, the Fort Wayne Police Department has implemented a "voice-mail" system that allows you to deposit telephone messages directly into any investigator's voice-mailbox.  To leave a message, just call the Detective Bureau at 260-427-1201.  The dispatcher will assist you in making the connection.   You can also bypass the operator and connect directly to the officer's voice-mailbox by dialing 260-427-5400. You will be greeted by a voice that says, "Welcome to the Message Center."  If you already know the mailbox number of your investigator, you can enter it at this time, or you can press number "8" and locate the mailbox by inputting a series of numbers which represent the officer's last name.   Always be sure to leave your name and a call-back number.