Salt Lake County Family Crimes Unit is recognized

By Pat Reavy
Deseret News
Published: Monday, April 28, 2008 12:51 a.m. MDT
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The crimes it investigates usually aren't homicide. But some would argue that many cases the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office's Family Crimes Unit does become involved with are among the most disturbing. Last week, the unit's efforts were recognized during a conference focused on crime-victim issues.

The unit's work is daunting. Many times their cases are heartbreaking because the victims are innocent children who are physically and sexually abused.

In several recent cases, a relative was investigated for more than 50 incidents of sex abuse. In another, a grandfather who investigators said was sexually abusing his children got into an armed standoff with deputies.

Over the past nine months, the seven-member unit has investigated more than 2,000 cases involving both child and adult victims, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Chris Bertram.

For outstanding work in challenging circumstances, the Family Crimes Unit was honored this week during the 21st annual Crime Victims' Conference in Sandy. The unit received the Crime Victim Service Award.

"We feel great about it," said Bertram, who oversees the unit.

The unit is actually a consolidation of the old domestic violence and juvenile crimes units. They were combined due to budget cuts several years ago, he said.

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In addition to child porn and abuse cases against children, the unit is also responsible for domestic violence and elder abuse and a list of other crimes.

"They're just some real difficult cases," Bertram said. "These can be taxing on investigators. They see some really horrible, tragic things."

The investigators in the unit have more than 60 years of experience among them, he said.

Also during the conference this week, a special presentation was given on the psychological effects on officers or firefighters of being a first responder. Another session focused on the Trolley Square multiple killing tragedy.

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com

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