The Saint Paul Police Department Arson Unit is a part of the Crimes Against Property Unit and is managed by a commander who reports to the deputy chief of the Major Crimes Division. They work cooperatively with the Saint Paul Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit.
Fire department investigators determine the cause and origin of fires. Arson unit members receive cause and origin training and may assist in determining cause and origin or assist fire investigators when requested.
When arson is suspected, fire department investigators will notify police investigator(s). The investigation shall proceed with the objective of collecting sufficient evidence for origin and cause of the fire for arrest and prosecution. If other crimes are discovered as a result of the arson investigation (e.g., homicide) the information and evidence will be turned over to the proper investigative unit. The arson investigator will assist as needed.
Arson unit member(s) respond to fire scenes to assist fire investigators when there has been a death associated with the fire, when a death may result or when fire investigators need assistance (e.g., major fires, explosions, etc.).
In addition to suspicious fires, the arson unit investigates false fire alarms and tampering with fire alarms when the suspect(s) are adult.
When the crimes investigated by the arson unit are clearly suspected to have been committed by juvenile offenders, the case is normally turned over to the youth services section.
From time to time, investigators assigned to other units may receive training in arson investigation. These investigators will serve as back up arson investigators when the regularly assigned arson investigator is unavailable or requires assistance at a scene such as a fatal or major fire.
Updated June 18, 2019