Criminal Investigations Division

Criminal Investigations Division – Responsibilities and Services

The Forest Heights Police Department (FHPD) serves as the primary investigative agency for all crimes that occur within the corporate limits of the Town. Our officers and investigators are tasked with protecting lives, preserving property, and ensuring that justice is served through professional and thorough investigation.

The scope of crimes investigated by the FHPD includes, but is not limited to:

  • Residential and commercial breaking and entering

  • Theft and larceny offenses

  • Citizen robberies and personal assaults

  • Fraud, identity theft, and financial crimes

  • A multitude of street-level crimes impacting the safety and stability of the community

While the FHPD remains the lead agency for most investigations within Town boundaries, we maintain strong working relationships with allied law enforcement agencies. Should additional resources be necessary—due to complexity, scope, or jurisdiction—the FHPD may request assistance from:

  • The Prince George’s County Police Department Detective’s Bureau and Criminal Investigative Division

  • Specialized units of the Maryland State Police, including the State Crime Laboratory and Traffic Reconstruction Unit

Through these partnerships, the FHPD ensures that no crime is too large or too complex to be properly investigated.

Our Investigators – Extending Beyond Borders

The work of FHPD investigators often transcends local jurisdiction. Officers regularly collaborate with federal law enforcement agencies such as the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as other federal task forces targeting organized crime, drug trafficking, and fraud.

Given Forest Heights’ strategic proximity to the Washington, D.C. border, our detectives maintain a close operational relationship with units from the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPDC). This relationship includes active participation in joint interdiction operations, real-time communication sharing, and coordinated investigations that impact both sides of the border.

Our investigators stand ready to operate across municipal, county, state, and federal boundaries to deliver results and safeguard the interests of the Forest Heights community.

Ongoing Investigations – Community Involvement Matters

Investigations are not solved by officers alone—they are solved in partnership with an informed and engaged community.

The FHPD recognizes that even the smallest detail, when shared by a concerned citizen, can become the vital missing piece in a complex investigation. We encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or has knowledge related to an ongoing investigation to come forward. What may seem insignificant could be the key that leads to closure, arrest, and justice.

Community cooperation is the cornerstone of effective policing, and our detectives maintain open lines of communication with residents, business owners, and neighborhood organizations throughout the investigative process.

Services Provided by the Criminal Investigations Division

The FHPD Detectives Bureau is dedicated to providing comprehensive investigative services, including:

  • Crime Scene Processing:
    Systematic documentation, collection, and analysis of physical evidence to preserve the integrity of the investigative process.

  • Investigations of Crimes Against Property:
    Including burglary, theft, vandalism, and arson-related offenses.

  • Investigations of Crimes Against Persons:
    Including assault, robbery, domestic violence, and other personal crimes.

  • Internal Affairs Investigations:
    Thorough and impartial investigation of complaints against police officers, ensuring accountability, integrity, and public trust in the Department.

Commitment to Excellence

The Forest Heights Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division operates with the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and diligence. Our investigators are driven by a shared mission: to seek the truth, deliver justice, and serve the citizens of Forest Heights with honor and commitment.

If you have information regarding an active investigation or wish to speak to an investigator, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Forest Heights Police Department at 301-839-4040