Investigations
Detective Bureau
The Detective Bureau is staffed by two full-time detectives who handle the investigation of criminal offenses reported to the University Police. The detectives interview witnesses, victims, and suspects. They collect physical and other material evidence, gather information and reports from other agencies, such as crime labs or other police departments, and prepare criminal cases for prosecution in court.
Special Victim's Unit
In order to help reduce incidents of interpersonal violence on the Eastern Michigan University campus, we've created a Special Victims Unit. This unit is dedicated to responding to and investigating sexual assaults, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence. The SVU officers have all volunteered to be a part of this team. They have expertise in working with survivors of interpersonal violence. They have all received extensive training, including trauma informed, so they can effectively investigate these crimes and assist survivors. The unit's goal is to increase the likelihood that interpersonal violence incidents are reported to law enforcement, enhance the responses to the survivors, and hold offenders accountable.
Our officers will connect victims and survivors with a variety of community resources, including medical assistance, on-campus housing, and academic departments. We will assist survivors with creating personal safety plans, if necessary.
Eastern Michigan University strives to bring greater awareness to the issue of sexual violence.
The Special Victim's Unit is available 24/7 for emergencies, 734.487.1222.
For Non-Emergency situations, Special Victim's Unit Investigators are available for advice and just to talk. Contact Sergeant Thompson at 734.487.1222 or [email protected] and we will arrange an appointment.
One particular program we participate in is Start by Believing, a public awareness campaign designed by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI), to change the way law enforcement responds to rape and sexual assault in our communities.
We encourage you to learn more about what you can do to be a part of this program and support survivors of sexual assault. Additional information is available on the Start by Believing website.
Our commitment to Sexual Assault Response
1. We will start by believing.
2. We will meet with you privately.
3. We will give you the option of speaking with us in a place where you feel comfortable on or near campus.
4. We will not judge you or blame you for what happened.
5. We will be professional and treat you and your particular case with courtesy, sensitivity, understanding and respect.
6. If you feel more comfortable talking with a female or a male officer, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
7. We will assist you in arranging for any hospital treatment or other medical needs.
8. We will contact a victim/survivor advocate, who will reach out to you.
9. We will fully investigate your case. This may involve the arrest and full prosecution of the suspect(s) responsible. You will be kept up-to-date on the process of the investigation and/or prosecution. We will continue to be available to answer any questions or to explain the process involved (prosecutor, court, etc.) A report to the police does not mean you must prosecute the assailant.
10. We will consider your case seriously regardless of your gender or sexual orientation, and regardless of the gender and sexual orientation of the suspect.
Campus resources also include the Title IX coordinator.
Visit the Title IX website for more information.