Technical Services

Section - Computer Crimes Unit

The Technical Services Section consists of the Computer Crimes Unit.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crimes Unit was formed in September of 1997 in response to the rising number of computer related crimes. During the first year of it’s existence the computer crimes unit investigated Child Pornography, Computer Intrusion, Fraud, and various other crimes. Forensic exams where conducted with DOS and off the shelf programs. Most hard disk drives contained less than 1 gigabyte of data. The vast majority of computers were IBM compatible and used a dialup modem for their Internet connection.

Today the computer crimes unit investigations range from Homicide, Domestic Security, Child Exploitation, and other major crimes to Internet fraud cases. Computers seized by the Computer Crime Unit have contained over 200 gigabytes of storage space. Forensic exams are now conducted using a mixture of DOS, specialized forensic software, and hardware devices. Computers now include handheld devices rivaling the IBM compatible desktops that the Computer Crime Unit was examining in 1997. Computers are also using many more operating systems such as: Linux, NT, and XP.

The Polk County Computer Crimes Unit has received State, National, and International recognition. The Computer Crimes Unit members have received Task Force Member of the Year for the state of Florida, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s award in Washington D.C. and various other awards. Members have successfully completed the International Association of Computer Crime Investigators training, the Florida Association of Computer Crime Investigators training, the National White Collar Crime Center’s Basic and Advanced courses in Computer Crimes Investigation and other training. Computer Crimes Unit members are currently enrolled in the Masters Certificate for computer forensics at this time. Computer Crimes Unit members have been certified as Experts in Computer Forensics and investigations in the tenth judicial circuit of Florida.

The Computer Crimes Unit strives to serve our community. The future will bring further opportunity to excel and protect our citizens against those who use technology to prey on others. Please feel free to contact the Computer Crimes Unit 863-297-3101 or use the hyperlinks below to report crime or learn more about the Internet.

There is much more information for the Consumer at The Federal Trade Commission.