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Criminal Investigations

The Criminal Investigations Bureau is comprised of  seven units: Rowan Regional Crime Information Center, General Investigations, Violent Crimes Investigations, Vice/Narcotics, Neighborhood Crime Abatement (NCAT), the Crime Lab and Organizational Development and Hiring. The investigations divisions are responsible for specialized investigations that go beyond the routine response of daily operations of the department and require that its personnel have specialized skills and training. Investigations is responsible for the follow-up investigations of all major criminal offenses. Cases are assigned according to solvability factors, seriousness of the offense, and past history. 

The Drug Unit is responsible for developing strategies to combat drug offenses in our community. The NCAT unit is responsible for helping to deter and prevent street-level criminal activity using a variety of techniques. Both the drug unit and NCAT work various hours to align with crime trends in the community.

The Crime Lab is a support unit of the Salisbury Police Department that responds to assist Patrol Officers and Detectives in the collection and preservation of evidence at crime scenes using specialized equipment. The Crime Lab also oversees fingerprint analysis and classification.

In addition to hiring, organizational development is responsible for leading the department’s internal practices and employee career enhancements.

Crime Analysis

Want to know what the crime is like in your area or see crime trends for the past 4 years? Request a Crime Analysis Report using our form below. This form is required for any data request from our Crime Analyst.

Crime Analysis Request Form (PDF)

Contact Us

Address:
130 E. Liberty St.
Salisbury, NC 28144

Emergencies: 911

Non-Emergencies: (704) 638-5333

Patrick Smith

Criminal Investigations Bureau Captain

Patrick Smith
(704) 638-2091
psmit@salisburync.gov


Biography

Smith supervises the services bureau comprised of seven units: the Rowan Regional Crime Information Center, general investigations, violent crimes investigations, vice/narcotics, neighborhood crime abatement team, the crime lab, and organizational development and hiring. These units are responsible for specialized investigations that go beyond the routine response of daily operations of the department, and require that its personnel have specialized skills and training. In addition to hiring, organizational development is responsible for leading the department’s internal practices and employee career enhancements.

Smith began his career in law enforcement 17 years ago as a SPD patrol officer. He was promoted to criminal investigation detective in 2009, five years later was elevated to patrol sergeant, and then was promoted to lieutenant over the special investigations division in 2018. Throughout his tenure, Smith led various crime reduction strategies, including increased community engagement relationships and the implementation of the Rowan Regional Crime Information Center. He also managed narcotic investigations, crime analytics and records division staff. 

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia College, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in leadership through Pfeiffer University. 


Homeless Advocacy

The Salisbury Police Department's Homeless Advocate's responsibilities include reaching out to businesses and organizations to build relationships as well as researching what comparable cities are doing to address homelessness. Their goal is to help direct the homeless population to resources, touching on the points of food, shelter, clothing, treatment and employment.

The Homeless Advocate will have direct contact with patrol officers and detectives in the field and the ability to join them on necessary calls. They can also indirectly talk to those who are homeless about available resources through officers.

Homeless Shelters in Salisbury
Dennis Rivers

Homeless Advocate

Dennis Rivers
(704) 638-5342
Dennis.Rivers@salisburync.gov


Biography

Dennis Rivers is a Philadelphia native who obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Livingstone College in 1997 before spending eight years working in the state’s prison system. He returned to school for a master’s degree in education at University of Phoenix, and worked as the Minority Student Leadership Academy coordinator at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College since 2008

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