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Crime & Safety

The Digital Detectives of Beverly Hills

BHPD unit uses the latest technology to solve crimes and keep the community safe.

Tech-savvy cops are filling the ranks of the Beverly Hills Police Department.

The city's High Tech Crimes Unit investigates any digital evidence relating to a crime, utilizing the latest in tracking technology for cell phones, computers and the Internet.

"Burglaries, identity theft, all the way down to arson—the high tech unit can be called upon because there is some type of digital media—these things eventually come into play and prove to be evidentiary at a later date," said Officer Dave Williams, who updated City Council about the unit's progress during a presentation at the July 14 council meeting.

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The BHPD established the unit in 2007 after noticing an increased abundance of digital evidence uncovered during investigations. Almost every crime today has some sort of digital footprint related to cell phones, smart phones, computers or web use.

The unit's capabilities include computer and digital media forensics, surveillance video recovery, audio enhancements, hacking detections and cell phone tracking.

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For example, Williams cited the unit's ability to track missing persons within a few feet of their location via their cell phone. He noted that this has been especially useful for finding elderly missing persons who might have a cell phone but don't think to use it.

BHPD has assistance in handling such sophisticated surveillance through partnerships with other high tech crime units including the Southern California High Tech Task Force, which is run by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Electronic Crimes Task Force, operated by the United States Secret Service.

The unit has even benefited from the talents and expertise of a full-time special agent provided by Secret Service.

"Our association with them allows us to have access to everything the Secret Service has access to," Williams said.

But Williams assured council that behind all of this state-of-the-art technology is a simple goal: a commitment to resident safety.

"This unit is a clear demonstration that the police department is set on continuing to make this city one of the safest cities in the entire nation," he said.

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