Criminal Investigation Division (CID)
The Criminal Investigation Division ("CID") is the investigative arm of the Cohasset Police Department.
CID detectives work in conjunction with federal, military, state and other local law enforcement agencies to solve crimes.
The mission of CID is to conduct and control all Cohasset Police investigations of serious (felony-level) crimes and less serious crimes as needed and conduct sensitive or special interest investigations as directed by the Chief of Police.
CID Detectives maximize the use of all available forensic resources and traditional investigative techniques to solve crimes, locate suspects, fugitives, missing persons and to recover stolen property.
We strive to provide superior investigative services in order to enhance the quality of life for our citizens and visitors.
Detective Lieutenant Gregory Lennon is the Commanding Officer of CID. He supervises the conduct of criminal investigations, ensures compliance with CID investigative policies and procedures and is responsible for strategic planning related to investigative services.
Lieutenant Lennon is a graduate of the 216th Session of the FBI National Academy.
CID's responsibilities are wide ranging. A sample of the functions that CID performs are listed below:
- Investigate crimes - felonies and serious misdemeanors
- Initiate proactive investigations (drug enterprises, gaming, etc.)
- Collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence
- Maintain liaison with other local, state and Federal investigative agencies/units
- Maintain liaison with District Attorney, Attorney General, and United States Attorney's Offices
- Conduct pre-employment background investigations
- Conduct missing persons investigations
- Conduct internal affairs investigations
- Crime scene processing
- Maintain drug and physical evidence
- Dignitary protection
- Conduct other investigations as requested by the Chief of Police
CID detectives receive on-going and extensive specialized training to conduct these investigations from sources such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council, the NYPD, Military Criminal Investigative Organizations, and many others.
CID detectives also attend training conducted by private training vendors. CID detectives participate in a number of regional task forces, including the South Shore Drug Task Force, the Massachusetts US Attorney's Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council's Investigative Support Unit and others.
Follow-Up Investigations The officer who took your complaint is required to conduct a preliminary investigation and prepare a written report based on your information concerning the offense or incident.
CID detectives primarily investigate felony-level crimes. Police officers assigned to the patrol Division investigate all other cases (misdemeanor) that do not meet the threshold for reporting to CID. A supervisory officer reviews all reports and based upon the nature of the offense, assigns the case to a patrol officer or forwards it to CID. If your case is assigned to CID, the detective handling the investigation will contact you.
You can assist the investigation by promptly reporting new information that becomes available or information that is requested by the officer, i.e., serial numbers, make, model or other description of stolen property.
General Questions About CID
Q. What are the types of crimes CID investigates?
A. CID detectives primarily investigate felony-level crime and provide investigative support to the patrol division. They conduct a wide variety of investigations to include deaths, sexual assault, armed robbery, computer crimes and counter-drug operations.
Q. How long does it take to complete an investigation?
A. Criminal investigations take as long as required to get to the truth and determine exactly what transpired in a particular circumstance. Although time is very important, criminal investigations are conducted to a thoroughness standard and not necessarily to a timetable. CID is dedicated to conducting thorough and professional criminal investigations no matter how long it takes.
Q. Why can’t CID provide information about open cases?
A. As a matter of policy, CID does not confirm when someone is the subject or suspect of an ongoing criminal investigation due to the person’s Constitutional due process rights. To prevent premature speculation about a case, when CID conducts an investigation, detectives are obligated to protect the integrity of those investigations by not discussing the details of ongoing investigations. Additionally, some of the reasons why CID does not release this information is to prevent “suspects” from destroying possible evidence, fleeing the area and to prevent witness tampering. CID investigates allegations of wrongdoing and once an investigation is completed, turns those findings over to the appropriate legal authority for disposition and adjudication. Once a person is charged with a crime, that information is beyond the purview or control of CID. It's also important to note that an allegation of wrongdoing or the fact that an investigation has been opened does not necessarily in and of itself imply guilt or innocence.
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