Criminal Enforcement Division
The Criminal Enforcement Division (CED) is part of the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) that handles criminal investigations to include:
- Violent crimes
- Homicides
- Organized Crime/Gangs
- Illegal firearms
- Computer crimes and technical investigations
- Missing and exploited children/vulnerable adult
- Insurance fraud
- Vehicle theft
- Financial/Environmental crimes
- Fugitive cases
Leadership
Captain Shawn Ward, Commander, Statewide Special Investigations
Acting Captain, Lieutenant Jonathan Novack, Regional Commander, Criminal and Narcotics Enforcement
Statewide Enforcement Commander
Lieutenant Jeffery Jones
Major Crimes Commander
Lieutenant Kyle Clark and Lieutenant John Monarek
Technical Investigations Commander
Lieutenant Matthew Kail
Northern Region Commander
Lieutenant Jonathan Novack
Eastern Region Commander
Lieutenant Adam Howard
Washington-Metro & Central Regions Commander
Acting Lieutenant - Detective Sergeant Glen Peterson
Southern Region Commander
Lieutenant Thomas White
Western Region Commander
Lieutenant Vincent Upole
Criminal Enforcement Division Units
This unit conducts statewide financial investigations for all MDSP barracks and MDSP units that involve asset seizures (currency, real estate, vehicles and real property) arising out of violations of Maryland’s drug and gambling laws.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700, option 6
The Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team (R.A.T.T.) and the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement team (W.A.V.E.) are regional task forces. These units support local auto theft efforts in the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan areas, as well as bordering counties and other states. They investigate motor vehicle theft trends, stolen vehicle trafficking and export, illegal chop shops, vehicle insurance fraud, the sale of stolen vehicles to scrap yards, and related regional crimes.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team (RATT)
Corporal Marcus Easley: [email protected]
Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Team (WAVE)
Corporal Tanya Wingfield: [email protected]
The Car Rally Task Force (CRTF) is a multi-agency initiative established to combat the growing threat of illegal exhibition driving across the State of Maryland. This task force is dedicated to creating safer communities by identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals and organized groups responsible for unlawful car rallies and exhibition driving events that endanger public safety and undermine community order.
Through sustained, intelligence-driven enforcement strategies, the task force leverages regional authority and strong interagency partnerships to coordinate targeted operations and share critical information. By integrating proactive patrol efforts, strategic intelligence gathering, and collaborative enforcement actions, the unit works to deter illegal activity, dismantle organized networks, and hold offenders accountable.
The CRTF remains committed to enhancing roadway safety, reducing criminal behavior associated with illegal exhibition driving, and preserving the quality of life for residents throughout Maryland.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The Child Recovery Unit plays a crucial role in supporting the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons (MCMUP) by providing investigative assistance. This unit is also responsible for coordinating Maryland's AMBER, Silver and Purple Alert systems. A primary focus of the Child Recovery Unit is to investigate cases of human trafficking and child prostitution. As a member of the FBI's Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force, the Unit collaborates with various Maryland law enforcement agencies dedicated to addressing issues of missing and abducted children, as well as child prostitution and human trafficking.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700, option 2
The Technical Investigations Section (TIS)—formerly the Computer Crimes Section—investigates crimes involving computers, the internet, and advanced technology, with a primary focus on protecting children from online exploitation.
The unit conducts detailed investigations into technology-facilitated crimes and provides technical expertise, training, and investigative support to the Maryland Department of State Police and partner agencies. It includes several specialized components, such as child recovery and exploitation units, advocacy services, financial crimes support, and missing children resources.
TIS plays a key role in:
- Investigating internet crimes against children, often based on tips from national reporting systems
- Enhancing law enforcement capabilities through specialized training
- Educating the public on internet safety
- Partnering with federal agencies to pursue serious and repeat offenders
- Supporting agencies statewide as subject matter experts
TIS strengthens Maryland’s ability to combat technology-based crimes and safeguard the public, especially vulnerable children.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700, option 2
The Firearms Enforcement Unit (FEU) is committed to supporting Governor Moore's efforts to reduce gun violence. The Firearms Enforcement Unit FEU consists of sworn Maryland state troopers tasked with working throughout the state to identify those illegally in possession of firearms and who are perpetuating firearm-related violence, as well as infiltrating and dismantling criminal organizations.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The Homicide Unit investigates homicides outside major metropolitan areas and all in-custody deaths within state correctional facilities, working closely with the Office of the Attorney General. The unit also handles police-involved shootings/in-custody deaths, and complex internal investigations for MDSP and partner agencies.
The unit uses advanced investigative techniques to solve cases, reduce violent crime, and support successful prosecutions. It also assists other units, such as the Highway Gun Crimes Unit, and provides training in investigative practices.
The Cold Case Unit evaluates, investigates and solves unsolved murders for the MDSP and allied departments. The unit's mission is to bring resolution to long-standing cases by applying new investigative techniques and resources to help bring justice to victims and their families.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-5540
The Maryland Department of State Police Criminal Enforcement Division launched a specialized investigative team to address the rising trend of gun crimes on State highways. The Highway Gun Crime (HGC) team aggressively investigates such crimes using standardized workflows for improved case outcomes. Based within the homicide unit, the team developed and deployed protocols, outreach materials, and patrol response strategies, to the barracks to aid in consistent responses. Historically, highway gun crime investigations faced numerous challenges, such as inconsistent responses, lost evidence, and delayed reporting. These issues contributed to solvability rates for highway shootings nearing zero, with fewer than 20% of gun felonies resulting in arrests between 2021 and 2023. Each investigative team coordinates the case with the State’s Attorney Offices (SAOs) using a vertical prosecution model. This ensures quality, prosecutable cases. This initiative aims to build expertise in combating highway gun crimes while ensuring a more effective and consistent investigative approach.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office supports the Criminal Enforcement Division by providing investigative and tactical assistance. It works closely with investigators, auditors, attorneys, and other state agencies. The office also acts as a key liaison between the Attorney General’s Office, the Maryland Department of State Police, and federal and local law enforcement partners.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-576-6300
Related information
Office of the Attorney General - Main Website
Office of the Attorney General - Law Enforcement Section
The Maryland State Apprehension Team (MSAT) is a group of Investigators based at barracks across the state. Their mission is to find and arrest dangerous fugitives, including those wanted on felony warrants from state, county, or local law enforcement agencies.
MSAT focuses on capturing the most violent offenders in Maryland. Through a partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, MSAT troopers are federally deputized, which allows them to pursue fugitives beyond Maryland and across the country.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 443-791-5388
The Strategic Operations Group (SOG) investigates organized crime using both visible and covert methods.
The team uses a range of tools and strategies to find, disrupt, and dismantle criminal groups. SOG works closely with other public safety agencies and operates across different jurisdictions to address crime throughout Maryland.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The Technical Operations Group (TOG) provides technical assistance to the public safety community; supports state, federal, and local law enforcement; creates training materials, identifies technologies and legal topics to make recommendations for best practices and purchases.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700, option 6
The Digital Forensics Laboratory (DFL) supports the Maryland Department of State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and all MDSP locations. It also assists federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies when requested.
The DFL examines digital evidence using reliable tools and standard methods, and staff can provide expert testimony in court when needed. The lab also offers training and technical support to prosecutors and investigators on how to collect, store, and analyze digital evidence.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The Polygraph Unit provides polygraph (lie detector) services for the Maryland Department of State Police and other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
This includes testing for job applicants, criminal investigations, internal matters involving police and correctional officers, and monitoring convicted sex offenders after sentencing.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The Financial Crimes Unit is dedicated to safeguarding individuals, businesses, and institutions from cyber threats and financial fraud. Utilizing advanced investigative methods, cutting-edge technology, and strategic partnerships, the unit actively works to detect, prevent, and prosecute cyber-related crimes.
The Financial Crimes Unit investigates cyber crimes across Maryland, such as ransomware attacks, business email compromises, and network intrusions. Officers receive FBI-funded training and certification, along with a top-secret clearance, providing access to exclusive intelligence and investigative resources.
Contact information
Email: [email protected]
Main: 410-694-4700
The County Specific Drug Tasks Forces, in partnership with allied law enforcement agencies across the State, target mid to upper-level drug trafficking organizations operating throughout Maryland. They provide investigative assistance in the area of drug and vice investigations to MDSP barracks and allied police departments.
The Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons (MCMUP) was established by Maryland Family Law (§9-401 through §9-403) in 1985 as the state's clearinghouse for missing persons information, and is a unit within the Maryland Department of State Police, Technical Investigation Section, which also consists of the Missing Child Recovery Unit, Computer Crimes Unit, and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Our division was formerly titled the Maryland Center for Missing Children (MCMC), but changed our name to more accurately represent our mission. As always, we look forward to serving the public and assisting allied police agencies.
Contact information
Email: Joseph M. Miller, Director
[email protected]
Main: 1-(800)-637-5437
Urgent Contact Information:
The Center’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Recorded line after hours for messages. Staff is on call 24 hours a day by contacting the Maryland Department of State Police, Headquarters Duty Officer at 410-653-4200.