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The Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) consists of five divisions that provide various public services, including criminal records, vessel and terminal safety; narcotics investigation and dismantling of clandestine labs; fatality, criminal, and missing children investigations; computer forensics; and organized crime intelligence. Personnel within our bureau are some of the most highly trained individuals in law enforcement and are continuously sought after for their experience and expertise.

Criminal Records Division

The Criminal Records Division consists of the Criminal Telecommunications, Identification and Criminal History, and Records Sections.

Criminal Telecommunications Section

The Criminal Telecommunications Section manages and operates A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System (ACCESS), which provides telecommunications linkage to law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and associated state databases. The system allows contact with other agencies nationwide through the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) files. (RCW 43.43.785)

The section also manages the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC), a computerized database of stolen property, wanted persons, missing persons, and other pertinent information of interest to law enforcement officers and associated criminal justice agencies throughout the state.

Identification and Criminal History Section

The section is the central repository for the Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) in the state of Washington. Fingerprint arrest cards and subsequent disposition information are submitted by local criminal justice agencies and entered into a mainframe computer database.

The Identification and Criminal History Section provides state and national fingerprint background checks on individuals where required by statute.

The Washington State Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) network includes one central site and sixteen remote sites located at local law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

For additional information see Criminal History Records.

Identification Unit

The unit consists of a Tenprint Unit and a Missing/Unidentified Persons Unit (M/UPU). The Tenprint Unit technicians use AFIS to determine if a prior record exists with a fingerprint search alone, regardless of the name used by the subject of inquiry. M/UPU assists local law enforcement agencies in identifying human remains by providing a central file for dental identification and using fingerprints and other descriptors.

Records Section

As the repository for all police traffic collision reports, the Records Section provides data and statistical information to more than 250 federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The information is used to analyze crash factors and to develop programs enhancing highway safety. (RCW 46.52)

Criminal Investigation Division

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) conducts investigations into vehicle homicide, vehicular assault, and felony hit-and-run collisions. Additionally, the division investigates crimes committed on the Capitol Campus, threats against elected officials, and felony crimes discovered by uniformed troopers. CID, at the request of the State Auditor's Office, conducts investigations regarding whistleblower complaints, and contracts with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for criminal investigations involving DSHS employees. TID also conducts investigations statewide involving fuel tax fraud and auto theft and conducts salvage/rebuild VIN inspections.

CID partners with the Crime Laboratory Division and the Identification Section to provide comprehensive investigations of crime scenes at the request of any law enforcement agency. See Crime Scene Response Team.

Homeland Security Division

The Homeland Security Division encompasses Vessel and Terminal Security (VATS) for the entire WSF fleet and terminal security in Western Washington counties, command of the four WSP inter-agency bomb squads, canine handler training for explosives and narcotics canine teams and agency homeland security coordination.

Investigative Assistance Division

The Investigative Assistance Division consists of the Narcotics Section, Organized Crime Intelligence Unit (OCIU), Computer Forensics Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Missing Persons Unit, and Missing and Exploited Children Task Force. Division personnel and resources support a variety of federal, state, and local agencies.

Office of Professional Standards

The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) provides oversight responsibility for the agency's complaint and disciplinary procedures. OPS is tasked with ensuring the disciplinary process is conducted fairly; that all administrative investigations are complete, impartial, objective, and consistent; and that standardized discipline is imposed. For information on how to file a complaint, see WSP Complaint Process.

Internal Affairs Section

The Internal Affairs Section is responsible for conducting investigations regarding serious allegations of employee misconduct. This office also conducts major administrative investigations involving employees of the Department of Social and Health Services, in accordance with Executive Order 96-01.

Special Operations Division

The Special Operations Division is comprised of the Aviation Section and Executive Services Section, as well as overseeing the Awards Committee.

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