Division of Criminal Investigation

Mission Statement

The mission of the Division of Criminal Investigation is to gather information and evidence to facilitate the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of persons responsible for committing crime; and to provide specialized intelligence, investigative, tactical, and technological services in support of law enforcement operations throughout the state of Illinois.

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) incorporates the functions of criminal investigation, intelligence support, gaming enforcement, air operations, and special operations.

Plainclothes officers in seven investigative zones provide comprehensive law enforcement services to the public and many county, municipal, and federal law enforcement agencies. "Special Agents," use state-of-the-art equipment and technology to investigate crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, officer-involved deaths and shootings, firearm-related offenses, human trafficking, vehicle theft, fraud, and public integrity cases. DCI Agents, cooperating with federal and local police agencies, have helped dismantle international narcotics rings, solve mass murders, and apprehend international terrorists.

The Division also works proactively with state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate online child predators and child pornographers who use the Internet and other technology to victimize children.

Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT)

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Four ISP SWAT teams serve throughout Illinois, addressing a wide range of threats and emergencies. The teams undergo extensive training in handling a wide range of complex threats to public safety and emergency incidents, from searches for missing persons to armed threats. The selection process for ISP SWAT Operators is highly demanding and highly competitive. Once selected, new operators are exposed to some of the most rigorous and challenging training afforded to law enforcement in the United States.

Air Operations Bureau (AOB)

The AOB oversees aircraft and flight crews, which are based regionally, to respond to emergencies in a timely fashion. Highly trained expert pilots respond to manhunts and searches for missing persons, conduct air speed details, provide surveillance support, and serve several other high-threat or high-value asset missions in fixed-wing aircraft.

Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center (STIC)

The STIC, the designated Illinois fusion center, opened in 2003 and seeks to improve information sharing with and among public safety officials. As a member of the National Network of Fusion Centers, STIC has the ability to quickly obtain and share information with partners regarding national trends and critical incidents. The Center’s all-crimes and all-hazards approach has led to the development of public safety outreach programs, benefiting the lives of the citizens of Illinois.

Intelligence Support Unit (ISU)

The ISU extends ISP’s technical investigative capabilities to all law enforcement by lending specialized technical, intelligence, and investigative forensic expertise to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Statewide Gaming Enforcement

DCI personnel are detailed to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to ensure the integrity of gaming within the State of Illinois. Special Agents assigned to IGB’s Investigations Division conduct background investigations on owners’ licensees, supplier licensees, occupational licensees, and key persons. Special Agents work to identify hidden owners of video gaming locations and interdict illegal gambling devices. The Gaming Command works in cooperation with other DCI efforts as well as other local, state, and federal agencies

Special Investigation Unit (SIU)

The SIU is a cadre of seasoned agents who have statewide jurisdiction and handle a wide range of criminal investigations, including allegations of criminal wrongdoing by elected officials or criminal acts perpetrated by appointees of a government body at the state and local levels.

The Division also works proactively with state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate online child predators and child pornographers who use the Internet and computers to victimize children.

The contact number for the Division of Criminal Investigation administrative office is 217-782-1320.

To report a crime, please contact the appropriate law enforcement authorities, or send an email to ISP.CRIMETIPS@illinois.gov. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may contact your local Illinois State Police patrol district by clicking on the following link: ISP TroopOpens in new window. If the information you have is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.