The St. Joseph Police Department Financial Crimes Unit investigates selected acts of forgery, fraud, embezzlement, identity thefts, credit card crimes, failure to return rental property and the financial exploitation of the elderly. All cases are reviewed by a detective supervisor and if the case contains the criteria for assignment the case is assigned to an investigator.
All bad checks, insufficient funds, account closed and stop payment checks are handled directly through the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Reporting of these items should be made through their office located at 411 Jules, (816)271-1480.
Currently two detectives are assigned to the Financial Crimes Unit, Detectives Richard D. Shelton and Terry Adams. Often times these types of cases deal with complex issues and require many hours of investigation and analysis to complete a case and forward it to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
In addition the unit works closely with City Hall assisting with taxi driver license applications, private investigator’s business licenses and all other issues relating to the licensing of businesses within the City of St. Joseph.
The unit reaches out in the community by offering training to financial institutions, businesses, and service organizations. Training is offered in many of the areas. Currently, identity theft and the financial exploitation of the elderly have been topics highly requested in the community.
Detectives in the Financial Crimes Unit are members of the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI). Membership in this organization gives the detectives access to resources needed in their investigations as well training and serves as a great contact list of other financial crimes investigators internationally.
Please click to access the following reports, affidavits and resources:
- SJPD Forgery Complaint Form and Directions
- ID Check list for Merchants for Proper taking of Identification
- Failure to Return Rental Property Complaint Form
- Affidavit of Forged Check Blank
- Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
- ID Theft Affidavit
- Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3.gov
- Credit Bureau Information
- The National Fraud Information Center
- The Missouri Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline
- Know Your Money – Information and Facts about US Currency
- Consumer Complaint Form through the Missouri Attorney General’s Office
- Missouri’s Landlord Tenant Law
- Scams to Avoid, some examples
