HARDEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Criminal Investigation Division

  Investigators of the criminal investigations division are experienced and educated in specialized fields to handle a variety of criminal scenarios ranging from homicide to theft.  Detectives receive specialized training such as homicide investigation, interview and interrogation techniques, polygraph techniques, arson investigation, child abuse investigation, as well as property and crime investigation.  Our criminal investigative division also uses new "high tech" tools such as alternative light source technology to assist in the recovery of forensic evidence.

The criminal investigations division directs its efforts in three primary areas:

  Crimes Against Persons:  This area may include homicide, sexual battery, aggravated battery, kidnapping, stalking, abuse of children, abuse of the elderly and missing persons.

  Crimes Against Property:  This area may include robbery, burglary, theft, computer crimes and fraud.

  Special Investigations:  This area may include illegal narcotics violations, alcohol and tobacco violations, undercover investigations and covert operations.

  Successful criminal investigations rely upon the support of specialized trained personnel to collect, preserve and analyze evidence.  The Hardee County Sheriff's Office currently utilizes a Mobile Crime Scene Unit and a Crime Lab that is located at the Sheriff's Office.

  Since it is generally perceived that the majority of all property and some portion of persons crimes are directly related to narcotics, our agency has a dedicated full time narcotics unit to take a proactive stand.  For more information about our narcotics unit, please go to Hardee County Drug Task Force.

  Property Release Information:

  Any persons who have had property recovered, seized or found for safe keeping and wish to have to have their property returned to them must follow the following procedure:

1. Have proof of ownership

2. Have picture ID

3. Call Patricia Richey Monday thru Friday between 8am and 4pm, at 863-773-0304 xt.230 to schedule a pick-up time.

  Incident Reports Release Information:

  Incident reports generated by the Hardee County Sheriff's Office are maintained in the records division in accordance with state and local laws.  These incident reports are retrieved and made available to the public per Florida statute 119.

  Incident reports and case information is generally available 7 to 10 days from the date of the incident.  All "open" cases under investigation are not available for release, except for the victim.  Persons wishing to obtain a copy of an incident report should contact Kim Pfeiffer, Monday thru Friday, 8am - 4pm at 863-773-0304 xt.229 or email kpfeiffer@hardeeso.com . All copies of reports are $2.00, unless provided to the victim.  The Hardee County Sheriff's Office only retains reports for 8 years.