What depts have developed cyber crime units?

[TLMaui]

I am interested in getting into law enforcement for the purpose of joining a cyber crime unit. I have been working computer service and support for almost 4 years now and I want to focus my energy on helping out the fight online. From what I have read, historically most cyber crime was fought on the federal level but more and more you are seeing local and state task forces.

So my question is if I want to stay on the state or local level, what are examples of departments with an established and developed cyber crime unit. Here in Hawaii all cyber crime is federal to my knowledge, so I am looking to relocate.

I realize the scope of the question is broad, but I would appreciate leads or places to begin my research.

Thank you for any help

[DeltaV]

I highly doubt that "all cyber crime is federal" in Hawaii. Every state has laws prohibiting various types of cyber crimes that are investigated at the state level. It all depends exactly on what type of cyber crime you're talking about.

Just understand that only on the federal level will you be immediately put into an investigative position. If you enter local LE, you're going to have to spend time and prove yourself as a street cop before you'd even be considered for a position as a detective or task force officer. You don't just get hired an get to go where you want.

[Kimble]

Just understand that only on the federal level will you be immediately put into an investigative position. If you enter local LE, you're going to have to spend time and prove yourself as a street cop before you'd even be considered for a position as a detective or task force officer. You don't just get hired an get to go where you want.

Delta is spot-on. Federal agencies, typically speaking, do not have to provide around-the-clock police services to a community. They don't patrol large cities, counties or states, and therefore can establish agencies that are solely dedicated to investigating federal crimes. There are exceptions (US Border Patrol and US Park Police come to mind), but if you are looking at working investigations at a local, county or state level, you'll have to earn your stripes first in patrol, and then transfer or promote to an investigative assignment after a few years on the street.

If you want to go federal, there are plenty of agencies that have cyber crime units, but it's competitive as hell. The feds recruit not only seasoned police investigators, but also professionals from the private sector, all who have "worked in the trenches" of their respective fields prior to becoming a fed. If you have the right skill sets and are a recent graduate of college, it's possible to get hired by the feds, but not easy.

[retdetsgt]

I wanted to start out as chief, but the tightasses at my old dept. wanted me to take the entry police test and work my way up like everyone else. They obviously didn't see how wonderful I really am.

[corporal716]

In California’s Bay Area and Central Valley there are High Tech crimes taskforces made up of officers from multiple local agencies. I’m sure they must have the same thing in southern California.

[TLMaui]

Just understand that only on the federal level will you be immediately put into an investigative position. If you enter local LE, you're going to have to spend time and prove yourself as a street cop before you'd even be considered for a position as a detective or task force officer. You don't just get hired an get to go where you want.

I heard about this, and I can't wait to prove myself on patrol. Part of the reason that I am training for the next 3-6 months to go from nerd to academy ready prior to applying. If anything, it will help build character right?

Hawaii is the only state without a state police due to the nature of the islands... Honolulu PD is the only department big enough that might have one so I will probably ask them before I rule out HI.

Thanks again for the comments.

[DeltaV]

While most local agencies do not have dedicated cyber crime units, there are investigators at all who specialize in these types of investigations. For example, many economic crime and child pornography investigations heavily involve computers and the internet. That said, if you're more interested in crimes that involve things like organized server hacking and cyberterrorism, federal agencies are going to be conducting those investigations.

I'll also add that while Hawaii does not have a state police, the state attorney general's office does have agents who conduct various types of criminal investigations. They do have a dedicated computer crimes unit that partners with all local agencies in the state:

http://hawaii.gov/ag/hitec/