Criminal Investigations

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The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crime, and its work often complements the work of patrol officers. Detective work is specialized, usually encompassing the examination and evaluation of evidence to apprehend suspects and to build solid cases against them. The division ensures that each case is a solid, high-quality investigation, conducted in a timely manner and that each investigation is handled efficiently, with dedication and professionalism.

Please do not report crimes to the Criminal Investigations Division. If you need to make a non-emergency report, please call our Dispatch Center at 406-457-8866.

Evidence and Found Property

We have one Evidence Technician, Rachel David. Her phone is 406-447-8468. Rachel may be reached by email at: helenapolicedepartment@helenamt.gov. She only has property that has been recovered within the city limits. Please contact her regarding your property that she may have.

Please Note: Property will only be released on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. by appointment only.

Evidence Release Request(DOCX, 29KB)

Found Property:

If there is something listed that may be yours, please contact our Evidence Clerk at 406-447-8295. You must have some kind of proof that the property belongs to you. After 90 days of being posted these items will be disposed of.

Found Property:  

  • NOCO Boost Jump Pack (posted 4/16/25)
  • Bose headphones in black case (posted 5/20/25)
  • Small tool kit in a black case (posted 5/20/25)
  • Carroll College commencement award (posted 7/24/25)
  • iPad grey in color with a black case (posted 7/24/25)
  • Silver and black iPod (posted 7/24/25)
  • Silver Fossil watch with blue background (posted 7/24/25)
  • Huskey tool belt black in color (posted 7/24/25)
  • Black and red Hyper Tough tool bag with tools and a magnetic sweep (posted 7/24/25)

Found Cell Phones:  

  • red iPhone with clear case
  • blue Motorola
  • black Samsung
  • Google Pixel in clear case with colorful sticker
  • HMD cell phone in black with no case (posted 6/23/25)
  • Grey "Blu View 5" cellphone (posted 7/24/25)
  • Dark blue "Smartphone" brand cell phone (posted 7/24/25)
  • Purple Samsung phone in black Otterbox case (posted 7/24/25)
  • Dark blue iPhone without a case (posted 7/24/25)
  • iPhone in black case with cracked screen (posted 7/24/25)

Found Bikes: (posted 7/24/25)

  • Silver Mongoose bike
  • E-scooter
  • Blue Granite Peak Roadmaster bike
  • Youth Huffy Scooter
  • Blue Magna Outreach bike
  • Teal Tony Hawk Signature Series bike
  • Orange Mongoose bike

 

 

 

General Detective (Financial Crimes)

Detective Corporal Nathan Casey is assigned as a general detective with an emphasis on financial crimes. This includes elder exploitation, forgeries, issuing bad checks, and identity theft. Cpl. Casey also oversees all the missing person cases reported to the Helena Police Department.  As a general detective, Cpl. Casey investigates a wide variety of cases, including homicides, felony assaults, sex crimes, and property crimes. 

Cpl. Casey can be reached at (406)447-8489 during regular business hours or by email

**Please do not report any crimes directly to Detective Corporal Casey. Non-emergency reports must begin with our dispatch center to take in the information. Please call our dispatch center at 406-457-8866 to make a report. **

 

 

Violence Against Children Detective

McLean Peterson is our Violence Against Children Detective. He investigates crimes related to sexual and physical assault cases to include sexual intercourse without consent, sexual abuse of children, and assault on a minor. Other assigned duties are assisting on missing person's cases and other violent crimes.

Detective Peterson can be reached at: 406-447-8471 during regular business hours or by email

**DO NOT REPORT ANY CRIMES DIRECTLY TO DETECTIVE PETERSON. IF YOU HAVE A CRIME TO REPORT, CALL OUR DISPATCH CENTER'S NON-EMERGENCY LINE AT 406-457-8866, UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY THEN CALL 9-1-1.** 

 

 

General Detective

(VACANT) 

 

County Attorney Liaison Detective

Jon Cook is the detective assigned to the Lewis and Clark County Attorney’s Office. The primary role of the County Attorney Liaison Detective is to assist prosecuting attorneys with investigation through the court process for Helena Police Department cases.  

Detective Cook may be reached at 406-457-8812 during regular business hours or by email.

 

Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)

Detective Steven Cornish is the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Detective. He investigates crimes related to Child Sexual Abuse Material (child pornography), child exploitation, and solicitation of children by electronic means. Associate members of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force work with federal and state agencies and local agencies throughout the state. 

Detective Cornish can be reached at 406-447-8475 during business hours or by email.

**DO NOT REPORT ANY CRIMES DIRECTLY TO DETECTIVE CORNISH. IF YOU HAVE A CRIME TO REPORT, CALL OUR DISPATCH CENTER'S NON-EMERGENCY LINE AT 406-457-8866, UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY THEN CALL 9-1-1.**

 

 

Montana Analysis & Technical Information Center (MATIC)

Detective Corporal Kent Anderson is our MATIC Detective. This program builds relationships between local law enforcement agencies and the Montana Analysis & Technical Information Center (MATIC). Tying together intelligence relating to criminal activity that can be shared and developed by MATIC analysts and then distributed to all of our Montana law enforcement community. 

Corporal Anderson can be reached at 406-444-1319 during regular business hours or by email

 

Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF)

The Helena Police Department has an officer assigned to the Missouri River Drug Task Force. This officer is part of a collaborative federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify, target, and address those involved in drug trafficking, manufacture, and/or violence. 

If you have information regarding the distribution, trafficking and/or manufacturing of illicit drugs, please contact MRDTF at (406)447-8046 or click here for an online form. 

For emergencies or immediate law enforcement need, call 911.

 

Violence Against Women (VAWA)

Detective Justin Gibson is the Violence Against Women Detective. VAWA investigations typically include domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and sexual intercourse without consent. This detective will also investigate cases related to sex crimes in general.    

Detective Gibson can be reached at 406-457-8828 during business hours or by email

EEO-Certification.pdf(PDF, 108KB)

**DO NOT REPORT ANY CRIMES DIRECTLY TO DETECTIVE GIBSON. IF YOU HAVE A CRIME TO REPORT, CALL OUR DISPATCH CENTER'S NON-EMERGENCY LINE AT 406-457-8866, UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY THEN CALL 9-1-1.**

 

High Intense Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)

The Helena Police Department is a member of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which is comprised of other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

HIDTA works cooperatively with these other agencies in the investigation and enforcement of illegal narcotic drug laws.

 

Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers is a civilian, nonprofit, charitable organization that brings together in a relationship, the police, the media, and the community in the fight against crime. People with information about crimes can report to Crime Stoppers anonymously and, depending on the information, may receive a cash rewards. 

View the Crime Stoppers web page for more information or call (406)443-2000 to report a crime anonymously.