Crime Analysis Unit

The Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Chesapeake Police Department.  The scope of support provided includes strategic, tactical, and administrative crime analysis. The CAU is responsible for providing detailed and timely crime analysis to all levels of the Police Department, including command personnel, supervisors, detectives and patrol officers. Information from the CAU is disseminated in the form of “Crime Bulletins” which identify specific crime problems, “Crime Alerts” which indicate that crime problems previously identified in a Crime Bulletin are continuing or increasing, “Crime Leads” which detail information relating to the identification of suspects in criminal cases or information related to serial crimes committed by the same suspects, and specialized crime studies and statistical reports. A Crime Analyst also instructs at the Basic Police Recruit Academy, the Auxiliary Police Academy, the Citizens Police Academy, and In-Service Training classes for sworn officers. The CAU reviews crime reports to identify crime patterns and trends, and also performs complex crime analysis to forecast future crime in an effort to assist command personnel in preparing strategic action plans for personnel allocation.

To enhance communication and information sharing with regional law enforcement agencies, crime analysts attend several monthly meetings to include, but not limited to: Regional Monthly Crime Analysis meetings and Regional Robbery Meetings. The CAU also creates and disseminates maps depicting crime hot spots and aerial imaging using the latest mapping technology. The CAU also plays a vital role in updating and maintaining statistics and mapping for the Drug Offender Mapping Program which is used to restrict newly arrested felony drug offenders from loitering in identified neighborhoods that have elevated drug and violence related activity. The CAU also monitors laws and emerging technology and recommends or implements new or improved processes within the Police Department.