The Neighborhood Investigative Resource Officer (NIRO) program was formed during the summer of 1992 by a Spokane Police Department Detective in order to promote "ownership" of specific geographic boundaries. The NIRO program has been successful with both the Detectives who participated in it and the citizens they served. However, due to staffing shortages, detectives are now assigned to general geographic areas of the city as opposed to specific neighborhoods. NIRO's work closely with Neighborhood Resource Officers (NROs), COPS shop volunteers, community members, and Juvenile and Adult Corrections Officers.

Today, the Fraud Unit has five detectives and investigates a wide range of fraud activities. One detective specializes in computer forensics while the others investigate case involving forgery, credit card fraud, embezzlement, identity theft as well as elder abuse. Three senior volunteers are assigned to the unit and are invaluable as they are diligent in their efforts to locate video surveillance, pick up evidence, display montages and meet numerous requests by detectives and from the public. Quite often they are the first to notice fraud trends through their numerous contacts with the public. They never fail to alert the fraud detectives of their observations.

The fraud unit focuses on the individuals or groups who are committing most of the crimes. Recently a supervisor entered the Fraud Unit with a small request, “Would one of you look at this case…it is just a simple forgery.” He was shocked when the detectives practically ducked for cover. Detective Anderson made the analogy that a simple forgery is similar to a shaken can of soda pop. Frequently a simple forgery evolves into a complex spider web of methamphetamine addicts involved in vehicle thefts and prowlings, burglaries, mail theft, forgeries, distribution of meth and identity theft. These cases can quickly overwhelm the unit.

The detectives work closely with the prosecutor’s office to “point up” an offender, which means allowing the suspect to plead to nine felony counts for minimal jail time. As a result the offender’s next felony conviction – even a $4 forgery at the latte stand can result in substantial jail time.

The fraud unit has become an informal resource for SPD, SCSO, Secret Service and other local, state and federal agencies. Through their investigations they have developed contacts with most of the financial institutions, retailers and government agencies throughout the region. Rarely does a day go by without someone stopping by the fraud unit asking for assistance locating a contact person, identifying a suspect or researching databases. The fraud detectives regularly provide training on Identity Theft, Fraud Investigations and Elder Abuse to other law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and a variety of other groups.

For additional information on resources available to victims of fraud and how to prevent becoming a vicitim of identity theft, please reference the below documents (PDF Format).  You may also view the Fraud Public Service Annoucements, you will need window media player to view:

ID Theft Affidavit

ID Theft Victim Information

SPD Theft Dispute Letter

Theft Prevention Resources

Fraud Public Service Announcement One

Fraud Public Service Announcement Two

Spokane Police Department Fraud Unit is working hard on obtaining the latest information regarding Fraud Scams.  As the Unit learns about each scam, detectives will list helpful information on this site.  If you need further information, please visit the www.fakechecks.org website. 

• Always thank the store clerk who asks for your ID when you write a check. Let them know you appreciate their diligence. Consider complaining to the clerks who don’t check ID.
• Clean out your wallet, purse, glove box, and home of unnecessary financial or identification items
• Buy a cross cut document shredder and USE it to shred above documents.
• Leave your SSN card in a safe place & never carry it with you. You only need it when you get a new job, a passport or win over $10,000 gambling!
• Remove your name from pre approved credit card offers (www.OptOutPrescreen.com) and from phone solicitation lists (www.donotcall.gov)
• Never give out personal or financial information via the phone, Internet or US Mail unless you initiate the contact.
• Always ask yourself “Is this too good to be true?” Visit www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com

The SPD Targeted Crimes Unit was developed to conducted specialized investigations on certain property crimes. Over time, this unit has evolved to handle more labor intensive cases, as well as those cases in which repeat offenders (ROPs) are suspects. 

Often these 4 detectives, with their sergeant, handle the “overflow” from other investigative units. These detectives have the abilities and resources to conduct surveillance and undercover operations that many of the other units do not have.

An example of Targeted Crimes investigations would include organized stolen vehicles cases, trafficking in stolen property, surveillance for other investigative units and various other detective support activities.