Seminar Title
Meeting the Investigative Challenges for New Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Dates of Events
03/15/2027 through 03/17/2027
Last Updated: 08/10/2026
Instructor(s): Jake Sparks
Location: APOSTC - 15950 Mosley Road, Stapleton, AL 36578
Course Registration Fee: $350
Instructor Bio
Jake Sparks
Jake Sparks, Captain- Investigative Services
Ottawa County (MI) Sheriff’s Office
Captain Sparks began his career with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office in 1999, after graduating from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. In 2003, he was selected as Deputy of the Year for his contributions to Community Policing. In 2006, Sparks was assigned to a Michigan State Police undercover narcotics taskforce. His time with the taskforce included street level drug and gang crime, but primarily involved interdiction and conspiracy investigations, working closely with Federal law enforcement to disrupt high level drug traffickers. Sparks was promoted to Detective in 2009 and has extensive experience investigating sexual assaults, robberies, homicides, and other major crimes, while also spending two years assigned to the Cold Case Team, investigating unsolved homicides. In 2017, Sparks was promoted to Detective Sergeant and later, Services Captain, overseeing numerous Community Policing initiatives, and the School Resource program. In February of 2018, Sparks was presented with the Distinguished Law Enforcement Service Award, after negotiating the surrender of an armed individual threatening police. Captain Sparks has also supervised the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team since 2019. In 2021, Sparks returned to the Investigative Services Unit, where he currently leads the Detective Bureau.
Jake Sparks, Captain- Investigative Services
Ottawa County (MI) Sheriff’s Office
Captain Sparks began his career with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office in 1999, after graduating from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. In 2003, he was selected as Deputy of the Year for his contributions to Community Policing. In 2006, Sparks was assigned to a Michigan State Police undercover narcotics taskforce. His time with the taskforce included street level drug and gang crime, but primarily involved interdiction and conspiracy investigations, working closely with Federal law enforcement to disrupt high level drug traffickers. Sparks was promoted to Detective in 2009 and has extensive experience investigating sexual assaults, robberies, homicides, and other major crimes, while also spending two years assigned to the Cold Case Team, investigating unsolved homicides. In 2017, Sparks was promoted to Detective Sergeant and later, Services Captain, overseeing numerous Community Policing initiatives, and the School Resource program. In February of 2018, Sparks was presented with the Distinguished Law Enforcement Service Award, after negotiating the surrender of an armed individual threatening police. Captain Sparks has also supervised the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team since 2019. In 2021, Sparks returned to the Investigative Services Unit, where he currently leads the Detective Bureau.
Course Objectives
Course Overview:
This New Detective Investigator Training is designed to prepare newly assigned investigators for the transition from patrol to the complex, analytical world of criminal investigations. The course establishes a strong foundation in the mission, purpose, and professional responsibilities of a detective while emphasizing the critical mindset shift required for long-term investigative success. Participants will learn how to effectively triage and manage caseloads, preserve crime scenes, maintain chain of custody, and safeguard investigative integrity and personal wellness. Through instruction and practical application, detectives will gain proficiency in identifying suspects, developing leads, and analyzing cellular, digital, and physical evidence to move cases forward in a methodical and legally sound manner.
The training further focuses on advanced investigative functions, including death investigations, sensitive crimes, and major violent offenses. Participants will practice professional interview and interrogation techniques consistent with constitutional requirements, draft reports and search warrants compliant with relevant case law, and apply best practices for scene documentation and evidence processing. Real-world case studies, hands-on practical exercises, and simulated investigative scenarios reinforce critical thinking, decision-making, and courtroom readiness. By the conclusion of the course, detectives will be equipped to integrate investigative findings, communicate results effectively, and conduct thorough, ethical, and defensible investigations from initial response through case resolution.
Course Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Define the mission, purpose, and professional responsibilities of a detective, including the mindset shift from patrol to investigations.
2. Demonstrate effective methods for triaging and managing caseloads while maintaining investigative integrity and wellness.
3. Apply a variety of investigative techniques for suspect identification and lead development, through the use of technology, pretext operations, and witness canvassing.
4. Analyze and interpret cellular, digital, and physical evidence to develop actionable leads.
5. Prepare professional reports and draft search warrants that comply with relevant case law (e.g., Carson Ruling, 404B evidence).
6. Preserve and process crime scenes to maintain the chain of custody and prevent evidence contamination.
7. Conduct death investigations, including suicides, overdoses, homicides, and accidental deaths, while applying best practices for documentation and scene assessment.
8. Evaluate real-world case studies of complex homicide investigations to identify key investigative steps and lessons learned.
9. Perform practical exercises simulating body movement, injury assessment, and reconstruction of violent incidents.
10. Execute professional interview and interrogation tactics, consistent with Walker/Jackson Hearing standards, Miranda requirements, and evolving interpretations of “Custody.”
11. Investigate sensitive crimes, including sexual assaults, CSAM, child abuse, domestic violence, and related offenses with empathy, accuracy, and evidentiary precision.
12. Integrate case findings and communicate results effectively through case reviews, discussions, and courtroom-ready documentation.
The training further focuses on advanced investigative functions, including death investigations, sensitive crimes, and major violent offenses. Participants will practice professional interview and interrogation techniques consistent with constitutional requirements, draft reports and search warrants compliant with relevant case law, and apply best practices for scene documentation and evidence processing. Real-world case studies, hands-on practical exercises, and simulated investigative scenarios reinforce critical thinking, decision-making, and courtroom readiness. By the conclusion of the course, detectives will be equipped to integrate investigative findings, communicate results effectively, and conduct thorough, ethical, and defensible investigations from initial response through case resolution.
Course Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Define the mission, purpose, and professional responsibilities of a detective, including the mindset shift from patrol to investigations.
2. Demonstrate effective methods for triaging and managing caseloads while maintaining investigative integrity and wellness.
3. Apply a variety of investigative techniques for suspect identification and lead development, through the use of technology, pretext operations, and witness canvassing.
4. Analyze and interpret cellular, digital, and physical evidence to develop actionable leads.
5. Prepare professional reports and draft search warrants that comply with relevant case law (e.g., Carson Ruling, 404B evidence).
6. Preserve and process crime scenes to maintain the chain of custody and prevent evidence contamination.
7. Conduct death investigations, including suicides, overdoses, homicides, and accidental deaths, while applying best practices for documentation and scene assessment.
8. Evaluate real-world case studies of complex homicide investigations to identify key investigative steps and lessons learned.
9. Perform practical exercises simulating body movement, injury assessment, and reconstruction of violent incidents.
10. Execute professional interview and interrogation tactics, consistent with Walker/Jackson Hearing standards, Miranda requirements, and evolving interpretations of “Custody.”
11. Investigate sensitive crimes, including sexual assaults, CSAM, child abuse, domestic violence, and related offenses with empathy, accuracy, and evidentiary precision.
12. Integrate case findings and communicate results effectively through case reviews, discussions, and courtroom-ready documentation.