Investigations
The Investigations Unit is responsible for conducting timely, accurate, professional investigations, and follow-up on acts and/or omissions contrary to law and/or Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) policies and procedures. The unit also provides additional support services such warrant/abscond detail, intelligence services, and an employee background investigations detail.
Administrative Investigations
- Investigators are charged with the investigation of all serious administrative investigations into matters of state or agency policies, procedures, and/or practices. The investigators collect and analyze data of alleged staff misconduct by ADJC employees and incarcerated youth, including managing case property and evidence as needed. They confer with agency officials, staff members, and external representatives to acquire information needed for determinations. The investigators are responsible for writing comprehensive case reports at the conclusion of their investigation.
Background Investigations
- In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute § 41-1750, ADJC requires background investigations (to include fingerprinting) be performed on prospective employees, contract personnel, interns, and volunteers to determine the accuracy of their applications and whether applicants are suitable for employment. An investigator is assigned to conduct all ADJC background investigations. The investigator conducts a variety of checks to include a criminal history check, fingerprint analysis, verification of education credentials, references and employment history.
Criminal Investigations
- Under the authority of Arizona Revised Statute § 41-2804, AZPOST sworn investigators are charged with both proactive and reactive responses to all criminal acts related to ADJC operation. The investigators collect and analyze data of criminal activities alleged by ADJC employees and incarcerated youth, including managing case property and evidence as needed. These investigators are certified with powers of arrest and authority to execute search warrants. The investigators are responsible for writing comprehensive case reports at the conclusion of their investigation.
Gang Identification and Interdiction
- Two investigators are assigned to gang identification and interdiction. One investigator is assigned as a Detention Liaison Officer responsible for identifying gang members and sharing their information state-wide through the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM) task force. The second investigator is charged with preventing violence in the secure care facility through intelligence gathering and dissemination. The investigators collects data, analyzes youth crimes, interprets graffiti, notes and tattoos, and scrutinizes information received from various reporting services. This information is used to provide ongoing training for ADJC employees.
Narcotic and Contraband Interdiction
- The ADJC Investigations Unit engages in narcotics and contraband interdiction activities designed to detect and confiscate illegal drugs and other dangerous contraband. The unit participates and/or conducts surveillance of youthful offenders in secure care, ADJC staff and visitors; secure care housing units, and secure care institutional area searches, sweeps and use of drug sniffing canines. Upon discovery of any illegal drug(s) and/or dangerous contraband, the ADJC evidence custodian will coordinate collection, handling and storage of the evidence.
Warrants
- The ADJC Warrant Team conducts investigations to locate, apprehend, and return juvenile offenders who have absconded from community supervision. They conduct interviews, gather information, and participate in undercover investigations, searches and/or surveillance of persons or targeted locations or establishments where it is believed the youth is present.
