Criminal Investigations Division
BSO's Criminal Investigations Division is the agency's central detective bureau for major crimes. Homicides, robberies, sexual offenses and other violent crimes against persons are investigated by detectives assigned to one of three primary sections:
Violent Crimes Section: includes the Violent Crimes Unit, Homicide Unit, Missing Persons Unit, and Gun Squad. These units investigate the most serious crimes that threaten society; aggravated assault, aggravated battery, stalking, kidnapping, attempted murder, homicide, arsons with injury/death, firearm offenses, as well as the investigation of missing/vulnerable persons and our most dated and challenging cold cases.
Major Crimes Section: includes the Special Victims Unit, Robbery Unit, Economic Crimes Unit, and the Fugitive Squad. These units investigate an array of serious offenses that present a threat to the most vulnerable of society: abuse of children, the elderly/disabled, and animals, sexual crimes, domestic/dating violence, armed robbery, fraud/identity theft, unscrupulous contractors and the apprehension of society’s most wanted fugitives.
Administrative Support Section: includes the Case Filing Unit, Polygraph Unit, Victim Advocate Unit, and Career Criminal Unit. This section tracks and monitors sexual predators/offenders, and provides robust analytical and administrative support critical to the success of the Major and Violent Crimes Sections while utilizing the latest in computer and internet technologies.
- Specialized Units Main Page
- Aviation Unit
- Bicycle Patrol
- Bomb Squad
- Canine Unit
- Child Protective Investigations Section
- Contractor Licensing and Fraud Unit
- Crime Scene and Crime Lab
- Crime Stoppers Unit
- DUI Unit
- Economic Crime Unit
- Evidence Unit
- Marine Unit and Dive Team
- Metro Broward Drug Task Force
- Motorcycle Unit
- Mounted Patrol
- SWAT Team
- Victim Services Unit
Captain Robert Schnakenberg
Criminal Investigations Division
View Bio
Captain Robert Schnakenberg supervises BSO’s Criminal Investigations Division, which includes Homicide, Sex Crimes/Missing Persons, Robbery, Aggravated Felonies, Bomb Squad, Gun Squad, Economic Crimes, Fugitive, Abuse and Neglect, Polygraph and the Career Criminal Unit.
Captain Schnakenberg began his law enforcement career with the City of Deerfield Beach in 1986. He became a Broward sheriff’s deputy after the department merged with BSO in January 1990. Captain Schnakenberg’s experience includes Road Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs and Homeland Security. Captain Schnakenberg was the commander for several specialized units which include Internal Affairs, Professional Standards and the Office of Homeland Security.
