- 15 NW Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD Evansville, IN 47708
- info@evansvillepolice.com
Organized Crime Unit
The Organized Crime Section is divided into the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force (EVCDTF) and the Violent Incident Prevention Enforcement Response (VIPER) team. Staffing consists of 1 deputy chief, 1 lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 21 officers and 1 civilian employee. A number officers work dual roles in cooperation with our Federal Agency partners. These agencies include the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigations Task Force, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service Task Force.
Federal Task Force Officers
Federal Task Force Officers The Evansville Police Department has entered into cooperative agreements with several of our Federal Law Enforcement partners. The partnerships allow the sharing of resources and combined efforts in complex investigations. Officers assigned to the various task forces work from both their local offices as well as offices in the Federal Building.
Currently, EPD has 7 officers assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2 assigned to the Drug Enforcement Agency and 1 assigned to the US Marshal’s Service.
The officers working for the various federal task forces can be reached by calling the Adult Investigations Unit supervisors line at 812-436-5745.
Contact Organized Crime Unit
Organized Crime Section (OCS) Officers are located at various locations within the city. The hours of operation vary as investigative needs dictate.
EVCDTF TIP Phone: (812) 435-6194 or (812) 436-7917
Fax: (812) 485-3066
Contact Organized Crime Unit
Phone: (812) 436-7926
Fax: (812) 435-6109
V.I.P.E.R. Unit
The Viper Unit stands for Violent Incident Prevention Enforcement Response. The unit is located at a secure off-site location and conducts special investigations through surveillance and intelligence gathering techniques. The unit investigates violent crimes as well as gang activity within the Evansville area. The unit is staffed by 1 sergeant and 8 officers and works various hours and days as investigations dictate.
FAQ
What information do I need when reporting suspicious activity?
Any information is useful, but the type of activities observed or suspected, the location and times of the activity, names, ages, and descriptions of the participants, and descriptions and license plates of any involved vehicles is particularly helpful. The reporter may leave their name for investigators to follow up or remain anonymous.
What is a Criminal Street Gang?
Indiana State Statute 35-45-9-1 defines a criminal gang as a group with at least three members that specifically: (1) either: (A) promotes, sponsors, or assists in; or (B) participates in; or (2) requires as a condition of membership or continued membership; the commission of a felony or an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult or the offense of battery (IC 35-42-2-1).
How do you report gang activity?
If you want to report suspicious behavior in reference to gang activity please call the Evansville Police Department Gang Unit:
Phone: 812-436-7926
Email: jtaylor@evansvillepolice.com
What are some typical pre-gang behaviors?
Gang involvement does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process and if you are alert you will see warning signs.
- Poor progress or achievement in school
- Truancy from school
- Lack of hobbies or too much leisure time
- Frequent contact with authority figures or police
- Draws gang insignias/symbols/signs
- Problems at home
- Lives in neighborhood where gangs already exist
- Friends are gang members or dressing down or sagging and bagging in gang attire
- Begins dressing in traditional gang clothes
These items are characteristic of gang involvement. However, some people who join or associate with gangs do not dress in the traditional attire and do not exhibit conspicuous behavior to show their gang involvement. Parents must be aware of the behavior and activities of their children. Continual monitoring of behavior and positive verbal communication between parents and young people is a must for gang membership prevention.
- Poor progress or achievement in school
- Truancy from school
- Lack of hobbies or too much leisure time
- Frequent contact with authority figures or police
- Draws gang insignias/symbols/signs
- Problems at home
- Lives in neighborhood where gangs already exist
- Friends are gang members or dressing down or sagging and bagging in gang attire
- Begins dressing in traditional gang clothes
These items are characteristic of gang involvement. However, some people who join or associate with gangs do not dress in the traditional attire and do not exhibit conspicuous behavior to show their gang involvement. Parents must be aware of the behavior and activities of their children. Continual monitoring of behavior and positive verbal communication between parents and young people is a must for gang membership prevention.
How do I report vice offenses, such as gambling or prostitution, occurring in Evansville?
If the situation requires immediate attention, call 911. Otherwise, contact the Evansville Police Department's Vice/Intelligence Unit at (812) 436-7917 or (812) 436-7926.
Does the VIPER Unit make gang/street crimes related presentations?
The VIPER Unit will conduct presentations upon request for civic groups, businesses and schools within Vanderburgh County. The presentations cover general information and trends related to gang activity and violent crime in the Evansville area. To request a presentation, call (812) 436-7926.
Narcotics Joint Task Force Unit & Drug Interdiction Unit
The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force is an investigative unit formed through a partnership between the Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office. Officers assigned to the EVCDTF are located at a secure off-site location and conduct investigations relating to the sales and usage of illegal narcotics. They work various days and hours as investigations dictate.
The task force includes the Drug Interdiction Unit which conducts narcotics investigations by utilizing interdiction techniques. The unit maintains a 24 hour tip line – 812-435-6194
The EVCDTF is staffed by 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 10 Detectives and 3 K9 officers.
Phone: (812) 436-7917
Fax: (812) 485-3066
How do I report possible drug activity?
If the situation requires immediate attention, call 911. The best way to report drug activity is through the TIP Line 812-435-6194.
What information do I need when reporting suspicious activity?
Any information is useful, but the type of activities observed or suspected, the location and times of the activity, names, ages, and descriptions of the participants, and descriptions and license plates of any involved vehicles is particularly helpful. The reporter may leave their name for investigators to follow up or remain anonymous.
Does the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force make drug presentations?
The task force will conduct drug awareness presentations upon request for civic groups, businesses, and schools within Vanderburgh County. The presentations cover general activities of the task force, drugs and trends common to the area, drug K-9 demonstrations, and common signs of illicit drug use or sales. To request a presentation, call (812) 436-7917.