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Medford police detective noses after hot checks By SARAH LEMON When checks passed to local businesses bounce, Medford police Detective Sue Campbell is often hot on the trail, taking cases most police agencies wouldn't even consider. "People are shocked we're still working bad checks," Campbell said. With one of the state's lowest dollar thresholds for investigating financial crimes, Medford Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division receives up to 25 bad check reports each week. It may not seem like many, but with all the paperwork involved, division secretary Kelli Daves jokes that it's too many. Each bad check is accompanied with the police department's fraudulent document report. Bank records must support every case sent to the Jackson County district attorney. Blue and yellow Naumes apple crates stacked four boxes high in Campbell's office are filled with these papers - and that's just for one case. Blue and black three-ring binders crammed into a ceiling-high bookshelf chronicle others. "The paperwork is absolutely mind-numbing," said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran of Campbell's field, which he said provides the foundation for a future Medford white-collar crimes unit. Although Campbell is now tracking the world of white collar crime - counterfeiting, embezzling, forgeries, identity theft and the fraudulent use of checks and credit cards - she got started going after petty thieves. A 10-year stint of arresting Kmart shoplifters on her off-duty time allowed Campbell to develop an expertise in helping businesses avoid losing merchandise and revenue. Campbell still works the Rogue Valley Mall "shop-net" beat - a six-week Medford plainclothes patrol that targets holiday shoppers who suffer from sticky fingers. Even when she's not on the beat, Campbell said she can't go into a store without keeping an eye on the other customers. "I live and breathe this," she said. Although she has never been a victim of the crimes she investigates, knowing what's out there has made her a little paranoid, Campbell said. She advises others to place importance on the security of their belongings and to be aware of the financial and psychological damage that can be done with the items in their wallets. She recommends carrying around the least amount of identification and checks possible. And never carry account personal identification (PIN) numbers or Social Security cards in a purse or wallet, she said. "Bad guys figure this stuff out every day." Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.