Mission Statement

The mission of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is to provide the highest quality criminal investigative support to the Cohasset Police Department by conducting timely and thorough criminal investigations using advanced investigative techniques and forensic equipment. Motivated only by a search for the truth, CID detectives will search out and collect all available evidence surrounding each case to exonerate the innocent and substantiate the culpability of the guilty. As professional fact finders, CID detectives will conduct systematic and methodical investigations to determine what findings the evidence supports and will not form conclusions in advance. CID detectives recognize their responsibilities to the community they serve and are committed to investigating all criminal allegations in an ethical and impartial manner with sensitivity toward the needs of victims and witnesses. CID detectives are steadfast in their resolve and will mobilize all available resources to accomplish their mission, despite any obstacles, discouragement, or danger. CID is dedicated to providing superior investigative services to the Cohasset Police Department to preserve the quality of life that our citizens and visitors enjoy.

Functions

The Criminal Investigation Division, commonly known as CID, provides professional investigative services to the Town of Cohasset. CID is responsible for the supervision and conduct of all Cohasset Police investigations of serious crimes, less serious crimes upon request or as needed and the conduct sensitive or special interest investigations as directed by the Chief of Police. CID detectives primarily investigate felony-level crime and provide criminal investigative support to the Patrol Division. CID conducts a broad spectrum of criminal investigations to include deaths, sexual assault, armed robbery, burglaries, fraud, computer crimes and counter-drug operations. CID searches out the full facts of a situation, organizes the facts into a logical summary of investigative data, and presents this data to the District Attorney’s Office. CID also provides criminal intelligence and forensic investigative support for the Patrol Division. CID works closely with other local, state, federal, and military law enforcement agencies to counter and investigate the most serious crimes.

Specific functions include:

  • Investigate serious crime – and less serious crimes upon request or as needed
  • Perform drug suppression operations
  • Collect, analyze and disseminate criminal intelligence
  • Liaison with other local, state and Federal investigative agencies/units
  • Liaison with District Attorney, Attorney General, and the United States Attorney’s Offices
  • Conduct pre-employment background investigations
  • Conduct missing persons investigations
  • Conduct internal affairs investigations
  • Collect and examine evidence at crime scenes
  • Maintain custody of physical and drug evidence
  • Provide protective services
  • Conduct sensitive or special interest investigations as directed by the Chief of Police

“Quaere Verum; Seek the Truth”

General Questions about CID

CID detectives primarily investigate felony-level crime and provide investigative support to the patrol division. They conduct a wide variety of investigations to include deaths, sexual assault, armed robbery, computer crimes and counter-drug operations.

Criminal investigations take as long as required to get to the truth and determine exactly what transpired in a particular circumstance. Although time is very important, criminal investigations are conducted to a thoroughness standard and not necessarily to a timetable. CID is dedicated to conducting thorough and professional criminal investigations no matter how long it takes.

As a matter of policy, CID does not confirm when someone is the subject or suspect of an ongoing criminal investigation due to the person’s Constitutional due process rights. To prevent premature speculation about a case, when CID conducts an investigation, detectives are obligated to protect the integrity of those investigations by not discussing the details of ongoing investigations. Additionally, some of the reasons why CID does not release this information is to prevent “suspects” from destroying possible evidence, fleeing the area and to prevent witness tampering. CID investigates allegations of wrongdoing and once an investigation is completed, turns those findings over to the appropriate legal authority for disposition and adjudication. Once a person is charged with a crime, that information is beyond the purview or control of CID. It’s also important to note that an allegation of wrongdoing or the fact that an investigation has been opened does not necessarily in and of itself imply guilt or innocence.

CID in Action