Casper enjoys a low to average crime rate. According to 2012 statistics, Casper’s overall crime rate of 215.2 is considerably lower than the national average of 301.1. Looking across the past decade, the 2012 rate of three murders for every 100,000 people is the same as it was in 2000 but burglaries have increased from 335 in 2000 to 363 in 2012. However, Casper’s crime rate has decreased since 2000 in every other category.
Sponsored School(s)
Casper is home to one of the 12 Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) field offices located across the state. The Casper police department cooperates with the DCI and refers felony crimes committed in Casper to them for investigation. There is constructive cooperation between the two agencies.
Becoming a Detective with the Division of Criminal Investigation in Casper
The monthly salary for an entry-level criminal investigator working out of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s Casper office is $5,192 – $6,108 depending on education and experience.
Education and Experience Requirements – Applicants interested in serving as a detective out of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s Casper office must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and have a minimum of five years experience as a peace officer.
Although a bachelor’s degree is the stated requirement, applicants with a master’s degree or other advanced studies have an advantage, as do individuals who majored in criminal justice, law enforcement management, criminal investigations, forensics or a related field.
Satisfying Basic Qualifications – The following basic requirements must be met in order for applicants to qualify for criminal investigator jobs out of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s Casper office:
- Valid Wyoming driver’s license
- Excellent physical condition
- Good written and oral communication
- Competent in the use of firearms (annual testing)
- No illegal drug usage
- Willing to work weekends, nights and holidays
Training – Law enforcement professionals interested in becoming detectives with the Casper DCI field office must be certified peace officers as established by the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission.
Recruits spend three months training at the academy in Douglas, Wyoming where they engage in extensive classroom and fieldwork designed to acquaint them with the situations they will encounter on the job.
Cadets must pass a written test, physical fitness test and a psychological evaluation in order to graduate.
The DCI also requires approximately 40 hours of continuing education every year.
How to Apply – Applications are only accepted for current openings. Open positions, job descriptions, online applications and detailed instructions are found on the Wyoming Department of Human Resources employment website.
Recent Criminal Investigation in Casper Handled by the Wyoming DCI
The citizens of Casper were bitterly disappointed in March of 2014 when they learned that little “Ninja Dorian” was a fraud. “Ninja” is a five-year-old boy who supposedly was terminally ill with brain cancer. His cheerful demeanor tugged at the heartstrings of citizens who held parties, auctions, barbecues and other festivities to raise money to help the family.
The inquiries of a local charitable organization led the Casper police department to refer the case to the DCI. Kriselle Layton, the boy’s mother, was arrested for fraud and faces 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The boy was placed with another family and is doing well.