The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) investigates a range of criminal activities associated with the Department, including but not limited to the following: violent acts resulting in serious injury or death, threats of violence, gun trafficking, dangerous drug distribution and possession, biological threats, extortion schemes, and criminal organizations engaged in extremist violence or terrorist activities.
The Criminal Investigations Division participates in several state and federal task forces and are embedded in intelligence centers around New York State. This OSI division provides investigative assistance, intelligence, and information to outside law enforcement agencies. Senior Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division are assigned to work with the New York State Police, local Crime Analysis Centers, local police, and their colleagues in Community Supervision to leverage jail-based intelligence to thwart gun trafficking and seize illegal guns in New York State. The Criminal Investigations Division also oversees the Department’s Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) program in which staff in correctional facilities and parole offices can report directly to OSI suspicious behavior that may, for example, be indicative of the radicalization of an incarcerated individual or releasee to potentially engage in violent acts or other criminal activities.
The Criminal Investigations Division frequently collaborates with OSI’s Canine Unit, which is responsible for deterring, detecting, and interdicting dangerous drugs, prohibited electronic devices, and other contraband. The supervision of the Criminal Investigations Division is also regional - east and west - each with a Deputy Chief Investigator and multiple Assistant Deputy Chief Investigators assigned to oversee investigations and operations within their respective geographic area.