The Crimes Against Persons (CAP) Section is an integral part of the Detective Division of the Sioux Falls Police Department. The primary function and responsibility of the section is to investigate criminal offenses that are perpetrated against a person or persons. CAP crimes always take precedence over other crimes. A high level of priority is given to preventing and punishing offenses committed against persons. Homicide is one of the most serious crimes against persons. The CAP section is in charge of investigating all major crimes against a person that occur in the city of Sioux Falls. Cases handled by the CAP Section are as follows:

• Homicide
• Rape
• Sex Crimes
• Domestic Assaults and Family Offenses
• Simple and Aggravated Assaults
• Suicides
• Death Investigations
• Disorderly Conduct
• Missing Persons
• Internet Crimes Against Children (child pornography and child solicitation)
• Child Care Provider Offenses
• Child Protection Referrals
• Sex Offender Registration
• Enforcement and Offenses Against Children

In October 2010, the Sioux Falls Police Detective Division restructured its command staff. A lieutenant’s position was eliminated and a sergeant’s position was created to assist with the CAP section. The CAP section is staffed by one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, and ten Detectives. One full-time CAP detective is assigned to the investigation of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), a second full-time detective is assigned as the Sex Offender Registration and Enforcement detective, and a third full-time detective is assigned to the investigation of domestic violence cases.

The CAP sergeants are responsible for case assignments and supervision of cases which fall under the responsibility of the section. CAP sergeants also coordinate the “plain clothes” portion of all political and VIP visits to the city of Sioux Falls. This is done in concert with the Community Services Division, which coordinates the “uniform” assignments for these visits.

CAP detectives frequently work long hours, conduct extensive research, execute search warrants, and perform numerous interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects. The CAP section works Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Members of the CAP section are available for call-outs 24 hours a day and can be called upon at a moment’s notice.

The Sex Offender Registry detective currently has 514 registered sex offenders within our jurisdiction. On July 1, 2010, South Dakota changed its sex offender registration requirements. Class one misdemeanor indecent exposure offenses no long require individuals convicted of this crime to register as a sex offender. Twenty individuals who previously registered as a sex offender were removed from the sex offender registry based on the new requirements. Sex offenders are required to register every six months and the information they provide must be verified once a year for accuracy and to ensure they are not residing in a community safety zone. The Sex Offender Registry detective arrested approximately 50 offenders for being out of compliance.

The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) detective investigated approximately 70 cases involving child pornography and/or child solicitation. Included in those cases were proactive cases in which online investigations led to the discovery of individuals possessing and distributing child pornography. The ICAC detective conducted these investigations, and with the assistance of other agencies to include Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security Investigation, and the South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation, continued with the investigations through the execution of search warrants and interviews. The ICAC detective also assisted these other agencies in their investigations into similar crimes.

The ICAC detective has also conducted forensic examinations of computers, cell phones, and other type of digital media storage devices for evidence of crimes in child pornography, as well as assisting other detectives from Narcotics, Property Crimes, CAP, and Fraud. Forensic exams have also been completed for other law enforcement agencies at the local, county, state, and federal levels.

CAP detectives work closely with the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office, Child Protection Services, Child’s Voice, Children’s Inn, Rape and Domestic Violence Abuse Center, Minnehaha County Domestic Violence Council, South Dakota Network Against Family Violence, Suicide Prevention Task Force, and the Minnehaha County Coroner’s Office. CAP detectives are also instrumental in providing training to the Sioux Falls Police Department as well as other agencies, businesses, and community organizations throughout our city and state.

During 2010, the CAP section investigated approximately 4,819 cases and 365 Department of Social Services Child Protection referrals.