City Of Mount Vernon - Criminal Investigations

Chris Cammock, hired as an Officer with the Mount Vernon Police Department in 1989, was promoted to Sergeant in 1994 and Lieutenant in 1997. He has served as the Department's Gang Investigator, Tactical Team member, Patrol Sergeant, and Crime Prevention Sergeant. Currently, Chris is the Commander of the Criminal Investigations and Crime Prevention Divisions, Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiations Team.

Lieutenant Cammock received his Bachelor's Degree from Central Washington University and holds a Mid-Level Management Certificate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Chris is active in his church and several community groups.

Under the command of a Lieutenant Cammock, and direct supervision of a sergeant, officers are assigned primarily to initiate felony investigations and to pursue those cases in need of follow up. The Division is responsible for the investigation of major crimes to include murder, robbery, aggravated assault, rape, child abuse, serial crimes, fatal traffic accidents, computer and other high tech crimes, and any other reported incident or crime assigned for follow up. It is responsible for the case preparation of its own investigations and also for the review of the Patrol Division cases before submittal to the Prosecuting Attorney. It will investigate violations of drug laws, gambling laws, other crimes of vice, and will be responsible to monitor registered sex offenders.

The Criminal Investigations Division currently includes Sergeant Mark Shipman, Criminal Investigators Mike Marker, Brent Thompson, Jeff Nelson, Jerrad Ely and Secretary Sharon Storrs.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Division \|
Crimes Against Persons	Property Crimes	Drugs/Vice	Pro-Active	Intelligence	Terrorism Liaison	Technology Crimes

Training

All Criminal Investigators receive in addition to their basic training the following specialized training courses:

Child Physical and Sexual Abuse
Death Inivestigation
Crime Scene Investigation
Criminal Investigation
Financial Investigative Techniques
Interviewing Techniques
Police Photography
Electronic Crime Investigation Cybercrime e-mail

The Criminal Investigator performs work primarily involving the investigation of felony criminal cases. The Investigators are cross-trained to respond and investigate all crimes reported. Types of crimes typically investigated include: Burglary, Robbery, Larcenies, Assaults, Auto Theft, Fraud, Forgery, Sex Crimes, Child Abuse/Neglect, and Death Investigations.

Comptuter Crime Investigations

The New Millennium has posed law enforcement with technology crimes that did not exist only a few years ago. The Mount Vernon Police Department has a fully trained investigator who specializes in the area of computer-based crimes. Be it "On-Line" crime, or the computer being used as a tool to commit the crime.

Because of the unique nature of on-line crime, these types of cases are often difficult to investigate and time consuming. In many cases investigators in several Departments work together to solve these types of crimes because of the broad range of victims and cross jurisdiction involved.

Computer Crime Prevention Steps

The following are some tips to help safeguard you from becoming a victim of computer crime.

Never give out your user name or password.
Don't disseminate any personal information in chat rooms.
Monitor the computer use of your children, especially in chat rooms.
Keep your computer in a public area of your home to dissuade wrongdoing.
Consider using anti virus software and firewalls to minimize risks.
Don't open email from persons you do not know.
Familiarize yourself with "Secure" websites before doing any on-line purchasing.
Review seller ratings with on-line auctions.
Trust your instincts. If it feels bad, it probably is.
Avoid email chain letters.

For additional computer fraud information click here.

If you feel you've been a victim of a computer based crime, or just have a general question, you can send an email to Cybercrime.

Team Work

Communication between the Investigators and personnel within the Department as well as with other agencies is an important tool in identifying as well as solving crimes. Additionally, the exchange of information between Patrol, Crime Prevention, the Interlocal Drug Task Force, and the community is valuable and an important resource. Each month there is a Criminal Investigators meeting attended by Investigators in this and other counties. A considerable wealth of information can be gained simply by interacting with others and sharing case information.

To contact the Criminal Investigations Division call (360) 336-6271 or e-mail
Lieutenant Chris Cammock

To report an anonymous crime tip call the Mount Vernon Police Department Crime Tip Line at (360) 336-0632.

To report suspected drug activity call the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit at (360) 848-1165 or or e-mail Chief Ken Bergsma

To fill out a drug tip form click here.

To fill out a Service Quality Survey form click here.

To contact the marijuana "hotline" call 1-800-388-GROW.

Calendar of Events

Mount Vernon Farmers Market

5/29/2010 - 10/16/2010

Saturdays, 9am-1pm, downtown Mount Vernon at the revetment. Fresh picked organic & local produce, flowers, plants, locally made cheese, bread, jewelry, soaps & skin care products, and much more!

Wednesday Farmers Market

6/9/2010 - 9/22/2010

1:30-5:30pm, Skagit Valley Hospital. Many of the same farm vendors as the Saturday market, but in a smaller setting. Come visit for a midweek supply of local produce!

Little Mountain Trail Work Parties

8/28/2010 - 12/11/2010

Volunteer trail building at Little Mountain Park is underway. If you're interested in helping please come to a volunteer work party at 10am-4:30pm on August 28, Sept 11 & 25, and additional dates listed in the attached flyer.

4th Annual Fall Fest

9/25/2010

1st Street, 9am-4pm. Expanded Farmer's Market, antique truck & tractor show, children's activities, family workshops, crafts & vendors, and great entertainment!

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