Major Crimes Unit
Felony investigations, crime scene work, and multi-agency operations.
Our Mission
The Major Crimes Unit is dedicated to providing quality investigative service to the citizens of DeSoto County through thorough investigations and effective follow-up on criminal activity. Primary focus areas include violent crime, property crime, gun crimes, and financial crime.
Key Responsibilities
- Investigate cases and manage assigned caseloads from initial assignment through grand jury
- Collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies on multi-jurisdictional crimes
- Interact with community members on criminal complaints, follow-up questions, and victim communication
- Conduct follow-up investigations to locate stolen property, suspects, and items of evidentiary value
- Execute search warrants and conduct interviews with suspects, witnesses, and victims
- Coordinate with crime scene technicians and the evidence vault on case-related evidence
- Provide expert testimony in pre-trial hearings, grand jury, and trial
Day in the Life
No two days in Major Crimes are the same. A morning of case-file review and grand jury prep can pivot in seconds when a shooting goes out. Detectives roll to a scene, coordinate with patrol, work alongside crime scene technicians, conduct neighborhood canvasses, and start a series of interviews that often runs late into the night.
A routine suspect interview can quickly turn into new admissions that uncover previously unreported crimes — meaning the investigation expands while the detective is still in the room. Success in the unit requires adaptability, quick thinking, and the ability to shift priorities at a moment's notice while pursuing whatever leads the case presents.
Training Opportunities
- Open Source Investigations training
- Certified Investigator training
- Specialized training by focus area — homicide investigation, bullet trajectory, financial investigations, search warrants and subpoenas
- Human trafficking investigations
- Undercover operations and investigations
- SWAT school for select investigators
- Interview and interrogation training
- Courtroom testimony and case-law refreshers
Why Major Crimes?
The Major Crimes Unit offers the opportunity to proactively investigate the most serious felony crimes, regularly collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies on joint operations and search warrants, and use specialized training and equipment to safely and effectively pursue suspects. Investigators work cases from the beginning through prosecution and conclusion — something few other assignments can offer.
Ready to Investigate?
Major Crimes assignments are filled from within the Sheriff's Office. The first step is to apply as a Deputy Sheriff and build your career toward an investigator role.
View Deputy Sheriff Careers