Cecil County
Home MenuCriminal Investigations Division
During the 2024 calendar year, the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division has been comprised of seven Detectives, one Sergeant, and two Corporals. One Detective was assigned to the Megan’s Law Unit and was responsible for monitoring registered sex offenders in Cecil County. The remaining Detectives were classified as “general” Detectives and were assigned various cases to include, but not limited to, homicide, burglary, robbery, financial crimes, and death investigations. The detectives received 199 cases for further investigation. One hundred and ten of these were closed after the investigation was complete. This is a 55% closure rate that is well above the national average.
In 2024, a Detective from the Criminal Investigations Division continued to administer and monitor LEADS Online for Cecil County to ensure locally operated pawn shops comply with county ordinances.
The Criminal Investigations Division received 351 referrals (+40% from 2023 to 2024) from the Department of Social Services. These cases include Child Sexual Abuse, Child Physical Abuse, Child Neglect and Child Fatality investigations. In 2024, Detectives authored and executed over 62 search warrants. This Includes but is not limited to warrants for residences, vehicles, DNA, cellular phones and other electronic devices.
Criminal Investigations Division Commander
Lieutenant Michael Zack
Phone: 410.392.2109
Michael.Zack@cecilsheriffmd.gov
Members of the Criminal Investigations Division have continued to attend trainings to increase their knowledge in multiple areas including homicide investigations, human trafficking and interview, and interrogation techniques. Members of the Criminal Investigations Division attend numerous meetings throughout the year to include multi-disciplinary reviews at the Child Advocacy Center (208 total cases in 2024), Sexual Assault Response meetings, Sex Offender Management Team, Human Trafficking and Intelligence meetings. In addition to their primary assignment, members of the Criminal Investigations Division have instrumental roles in the Special Response Team, the Peer Support Team, and the Crisis Negotiation Team.
Megan's Law Unit
The Megan’s Law Unit monitors approximately 181 convicted sex offenders throughout Cecil County and makes arrests of those registered who fail to comply with registration laws.
Members of the Criminal Investigations Division have continued to attend trainings to increase their knowledge in multiple areas including homicide investigations, human trafficking and interview, and interrogation techniques. Members of the Criminal Investigations Division attend numerous meetings throughout the year to include multi-disciplinary reviews at the Child Advocacy Center (208 total cases in 2024), Sexual Assault Response meetings, Sex Offender Management Team, Human Trafficking and Intelligence meetings. In addition to their primary assignment, members of the Criminal Investigations Division have instrumental roles in the Special Response Team, the Peer Support Team, and the Crisis Negotiation Team.
School Resources Unit
The School Resource Officer Unit provides security, investigation services, and drug abuse prevention programs in the school systems of Cecil County outside the incorporated towns that have a police department. From January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, 187 cases were investigated, resulting in 15 arrests (12 assaults) and 9 emergency evaluations (a 125% increase from 2023 to 2024). Twenty non-reportable and 8 reportable crashes were investigated on school property. The School Resource Officers maintain an open and honest relationship with students, which promotes a positive image of law enforcement. These deputies de-escalate incidents before they become potentially dangerous and often prevent situations from occurring.
Drug Task Force
The Cecil County Drug Task Force (CCDTF) is a combined investigative effort of the Elkton Police Department, Cecil County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, the Cecil County State's Attorney's Office and the Department of Homeland Security.
The manpower and resources of the unit are directed at violations of the Controlled Dangerous Substances laws of the state of Maryland involving the sale, manufacture, importation, and smuggling of drugs into Cecil County. The unit has good working relationships with various local, state and federal drug units throughout the country. Locally, the unit works with concerned citizens, paid and unpaid confidential informants, as well as officers working in an undercover
capacity in the drug community. All officers in the CCDTF have "state-wide authority," meaning that they have law enforcement powers throughout the state as virtually all drug investigations involve multiple jurisdictions.
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
When drug trafficking becomes a major problem in a specific area, it may be designated as a High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). This allows that area to be eligible for extra resources that local law enforcement cannot provide on their own. Cecil County is designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. HIDTA’s goal is to address drug-related issues by supporting and collaborating with our law enforcement, treatment, and prevention partners.
Tip Line
No one knows your specific communities as well as you do. If something feels or looks suspicious, please call the CCDTF at 443-350-9125, or in an emergency, your local law enforcement agency. All calls are handled with full confidentiality and callers remain anonymous. When you call, please provide as much information as possible, including addresses,
vehicle descriptions, and registration numbers. No piece of intelligence information is too small. If necessary, you may leave a message, but we encourage you to call back until you can speak personally with an investigator. We document all drug tips.