Special Crimes Unit

The Special Crimes Unit leads investigations into reports of domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, juvenile missing persons, human trafficking, rape and all other sex-related crimes. The Special Crimes Unit also oversees the City of Knoxville’s sex offender registry.

SCU detectives often work cases in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, the Tennessee Adult Protective Services, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

SCU also has a number of non-sworn personnel that handle victim advocacy, training, and community outreach programs. The victim service advocates help clients with orders of protection, safety planning, shelter, transportation, legal aid referrals, and long-term counseling. 

The Special Crimes Unit is housed within the Knoxville Family Justice Center. This location gives KPD and the Unit an unprecedented level of inter-agency partnership on a daily basis within both the law enforcement and social service realms. This provides a unique opportunity to help prevent crimes through education and resources. It also allows SCU to investigate crimes using agency partnerships, and assist victims of crime through advocacy and service provider relationships.