Overview
The Investigative Assistance Division (IAD) provides investigative services, training, and technical support to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), allied law enforcement and governmental agencies, and community groups to improve the quality of life in the state of Washington. The division conducts independent investigations, facilitates multi-agency law enforcement operations, participates on local and federal task forces, and responds to tactical and clandestine laboratory requests. The division is comprised of two sections:
Narcotics Section
Conducts statewide drug investigations and commands the WSP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
Special Investigations Section
Conducts Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking investigations, provides Digital Forensic evidence processing services and expertise, and assists law enforcement agencies and medical examiners/coroners on Missing and Unidentified Persons cases.
Successes of 2021
Special Investigations Section (SIS)
The Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force (MECTF) conducted two separate one day operations targeting those attempting to exploit children online and had seven arrests. They investigated 30 new cases for the year which included 39 arrests, identified 22 victims, and served 93 warrants. The division completed 36 Internet Crimes Against Children cybertip investigations. The Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit assisted with issuance of nine Amber Alerts, two Endangered/Missing Persons Alerts and 50 Silver Alerts.
Narcotics Section
Opioids (i.e. heroin, Fentanyl) and methamphetamine remain significant drug threats and WSP remains committed to combatting illicit drug trafficking in Washington. The WSP assigns detectives and sergeants to local and federal drug task forces focused on mid to upper level drug trafficking organizations throughout Washington.
In 2021, WSP affiliated Narcotics Task Forces initiated 645 investigations resulting in the service of 234 search warrants, with 262 weapons seized, and 469 arrests for narcotics violations. The prevalence of Fentanyl in the form of counterfeit prescription pills significantly increased, particularly during the latter part of 2021, with the trend continuing into 2022.
WSP Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) detectives are co-housed regionally with drug task forces in four regions of the state. The MET detectives may investigate all drug-related activity, but specifically focus on criminal activity involving the diversion, illicit production, and distribution of marijuana, and marijuana-related products in Washington. The WSP continues its long-standing partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program (DCE/SP). In 2021, MET and DCE/SP activities resulted in:
-
- 47,586 Illicit marijuana plants eradicated statewide by MET
- 82 arrests
- 11 weapons recovered
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
-
- Responded to 24 calls for service
- Provided training to the Execute Protection Unit during their in-service
- Provided expert knowledge to the Training Division for lesson plan development
- Provided expert knowledge and instruction to all ISB detectives during the implementation of new policy, tactics, and tools in accordance with law changes that went into effect in July 2021
- Enhanced tactical response capabilities with the integration of the Android and Windows Tactical Awareness Kit (ATAK & WinTAK)
- Provided personnel and tactical expertise resources to investigative units during the service of search warrant operations
- Provided Negotiator support to allied agencies across the state
- Utilized knowledge and experience in clandestine laboratory operations to provide consultations on several situations which prevented potential exposures to other first responders
- Provided additional security enhancements during protests on and around the Capitol Campus
Additional Information and Resources
For more information on services provided by the Investigative Assistance Division, please email Captain Roger Wilbur at Roger.Wilbur@wsp.wa.gov.