Violent Crimes Division

Dear Citizens and Visitors,

As the Commander of the Violent Crimes Division at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, I am honored to introduce you to our dedicated team of professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our community. With a division comprising of 95 highly skilled detectives and specialists, our mission is to bring justice to victims of violent crime and to uphold the integrity of our investigative processes with unwavering dedication.

The Violent Crimes Division encompasses several specialized units, including Homicide, Gang, Robbery, Cold Case, Forensic Imaging, and Firearm Investigations. Our detectives are extensively trained in advanced investigative techniques, evidence analysis, suspect profiling, and forensic technology. Their expertise in solving complex cases—often under the most challenging circumstances—is a testament to their commitment to justice.

I have been privileged to serve with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office since 1996 starting as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, holding key leadership positions within the Violent Crimes Division, including Homicide Sergeant and Homicide Lieutenant, before assuming my current role as Commander. My career has been dedicated to ensuring that victims and their families receive the justice they deserve, and I take great pride in leading a team that shares this unwavering commitment.

Beyond our investigative work, the Violent Crimes Division also manages Crime Stoppers, the Forensic Imaging Unit, and the Cold Case Homicide Unit. These specialized units play a crucial role in solving cases, identifying suspects, and bringing closure to long-unsolved crimes.

We encourage you to explore our webpage to learn more about the services we offer and the initiatives we undertake to protect our community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve you, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding Palm Beach County.

Respectfully,

Captain Michael Ott
Commander, Violent Crimes Division
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

Analytical Support

There are three analysts assigned to The Violent Crimes Division.  There is one analyst assigned to the:

  • Gang Unit
  • Homicide Unit
  • Robbery Unit

Each analyst is part of the investigative team and works closely with the detectives in their assigned unit to provide analytical support by systematically collecting, organizing, analyzing, and utilizing criminal intelligence to guide detectives in their operational and tactical decisions.

Crime Stoppers

The Crime Stoppers Unit receives anonymous phone, text, and website tips regarding criminal activity.  These tips can be related to wanted fugitives, illegal drugs, gangs, witness information, or information associated with any unlawful activities.   Once crime tips are received, the Crime Stoppers Unit directs this information to the appropriate law enforcement agency regardless of jurisdiction. One of the most essential elements in conducting criminal investigations is information received from members of the public.   We encourage you to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477) if you have information related to criminal activity or any ongoing criminal investigations.  You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward for information that leads to an arrest or is crucial to solving a crime.

Gang Unit

The Gang Unit is responsible for investigating gang-related crimes in the primary jurisdictional areas covered by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Palm Beach County. The unit is responsible for gathering intelligence, conducting surveillance, documenting gang members, and conducting gang-related investigations while networking with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. A priority of the Gang Unit is to share gang-related intelligence with our law enforcement partners.

Homicide Unit

The Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating all homicides, suspicious and accidental deaths, suicides, critical incidents (police shootings and in-custody deaths), shootings, kidnappings, and other violent crime cases. This unit is also available to assist any Palm Beach County law enforcement agency with any violent crime investigation when requested.

Cold Case Homicide Unit

The Cold Case Unit investigates unsolved homicides, where active leads and evidence were exhausted when the crime occurred.  Due to scientific advances and new technologies, many of these cold cases are now being solved.  The unit also investigates cases involving unidentified human remains. There are currently 360+ unsolved homicides and unidentified human remains cases being reviewed and under investigation by the Cold Case Unit.

Forensic Imaging Unit

The Forensic Imaging Unit assists detectives in numerous areas of investigation.  The Forensic Artists assigned to this unit are experts in composite imagery, image modification, and reconstructive postmortem drawings.  The Forensic Imaging artists render suspect composites from victim/witness statements, construct craniofacial reconstructions of unidentified remains to assist in cold case investigations, and use the latest software and forensic imaging tools to assist detectives.

Robbery Unit

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit investigates carjackings, home invasion robberies, strong-armed robberies, armed robberies, business robberies, robbery by sudden snatching, and any robbery involving injuries.  The Robbery Unit’s mission is to apprehend offenders, prepare evidence, and provide testimony to secure convictions, and remove individuals who commit these violent crimes from our communities.  Additionally, the Robbery Unit is asked to handle bank robberies in the areas of primary jurisdiction covered by the Sheriff’s Office when requested by the FBI.

Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU)

Guidance, Expertise and Support for Firearms Investigations.

Contacts

Accessibility by WAH