The Investigative Operations Division includes employees assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, the Civil Division, and Communications Center All Deputies in this Division receive continual in-service training to keep current on the ever changing laws and Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) required training. They are all subject to reassignment to assist the Patrol Division if needed.

This division reports to the Investigative Operations Captain.

Telecommunicators

Telecommunicators receive calls, gather information and obtain proper location of emergencies for dispatch. Telecommunicators are responsible for relaying accurate information to deputies, surrounding law enforcement officers, and volunteer fire departments in an efficient manner. Telecommunicators monitor all radio traffic for the Sheriff’s Office, seven surrounding police jurisdictions, and eleven volunteer fire departments.

Telecommunicators handle the timely preparation, entry and clearing of fugitive warrants into the state computer system, as well as, active protective orders and missing persons.

Members of the public may contact the Communications Center via non-emergency lines to request an officer call back, file a report, or comment on an officer’s service. Non-emergency lines include:

(806) 775-1600, (806) 775-1601, and (806) 775-1480.

The Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and primarily answers 911 calls.

Criminal Investigators

The Investigators in this division must possess a extensive knowledge of the law as defined by the Texas Penal Code, Texas Family Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Local Government Code and more. Our Investigators have diverse backgrounds and possess expertise in the specific areas of the law. These include: drug related crimes, violent crimes (including murder), crimes against children, domestic violence, elder abuse, human trafficking, internet crimes, and crimes against property. Investigators are typically assigned cases that require a through review and work hard to ensure justice is served.
A Criminal Investigator is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Each Criminal Investigator has their own office they may be reached at. For general questions you may contact the Criminal Investigation Division at (806) 775-1794

Crime Scene Investigators

The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office has a small in house Crime Lab. Our Crime Scene Investigators are assigned to the Crime Lab. They work hard to gather and preserve evidence. Crime Scene Investigators will go into the field and collect images of the scene to be recreated using advance technology. Crime Scene Investigators will also testify in court on evidence collection.

A Crime Scene Investigator is on call 24 hours, a day 365 days a year.

Civil Deputies

The Civil Division is responsible for serving all civil process documents, including but not limited to: Citations, Subpoenas, Temporary Restraining Orders, and all Writs. The Civil Deputies will seize and sell property under court orders. Civil Deputies work closely with the Texas Attorney General’s Office on Child Support Cases. Civil Deputies may leave door tags at the address of a citizen they are attempting to contact. Civil Deputies may also assist the Patrol Division as needed.

The Civil Deputies work 8-hour shifts Monday-Friday. Civil Deputies will serve most documents at any convenient time for the citizen.

Civil Division Office: (806) 775-1401

Civil Corporal: (806) 775-1415

Animal Control and Environmental Deputies

Animal Control/Environmental Deputies answers calls regarding estray livestock, dangerous dogs, and persons bitten by any animal in addition to calls regarding tall weeds, junk vehicles, illegal burns, illegal dumping and many other environmental issues. These Deputies may seize estray animals and transport them to a veterinarian for safe-keeping, until the animals are either picked up by the owner or sold at auction. When an animal bite occurs, deputies locate the animal and place it in quarantine status for ten days to observe for signs of rabies. This can be a home quarantine or an off-site quarantine, depending on the circumstances of the event. Lubbock County does not have a leash law; therefore, stray dogs are not picked up unless they have been previously labeled as a dangerous dog under the Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.0421. These deputies will issue citations on some issues and will file criminal cases with the Lubbock District Attorney’s Office on many others.

Animal Control/Environmental Deputies attend a Basic and Advanced Animal Control Course in addition to their other required training.

Animal Control/Environmental Deputies are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Animal Control/Environmental Deputies can be reached at (806) 775-1480 or 806-775-1479

Mental Health Deputies

The Mental Health Deputy Program works to divert people in need of behavioral or health crisis services from our jail to community-based alternatives. Mental Health Deputies are officers specially trained in crisis intervention who work collaboratively with the community and crisis-response teams. Mental Health Deputies responsibilities include: coordinating with the Patrol Division to respond to requests for crisis intervention, promoting collaboration between local law enforcement and mental health professionals, diverting individuals from unnecessary arrests and bookings, providing crisis stabilization services, transporting individuals requiring admission to an inpatient mental health facility, and providing referrals and linkage to long-term community mental health services.

Mental Health Deputies are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mental Health Deputies can be reached at (806) 775-1448