New digital forensic tool approved for Decatur Police Department

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council has approved a new digital software to help their criminal investigations.

On Monday night, the Decatur City Council approved of a subscription to Cellebrite Premium. The software helps law enforcement agencies analyze smartphones and other devices for any information related to investigations.

“Cellebrite is solving investigative challenges by streamlining the investigative and intelligence
processes into an efficient workflow, making disparate data accessible, digestible and actionable
across the full investigation lifecycle,” the company wrote in their media kit.

The software is in addition to DPD’s current software Graykey. Officials estimate the Police Department has 140 mobile devices to be analyzed, and 60 of them would need to be accessed with Cellebrite Premium.

“Everyday, our patrol officers and detectives are seizing cellular phones from individuals,” DPD Deputy Chief Brian Cleary said. “Hopefully with this tool, we will be able to lessen the amount of devices that are pending.”

Four workers with the DPD — two detectives and two civilian digital forensic examiners — are allowed to use the software, the deputy chief said at the Monday night meeting. The Decatur Police Department shares information on when they use Graykey and eventually Cellebrite with the Illinois Attorney General’s office.

The city council approved the purchase unanimously. The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is funding most of the cost of the software with a $35,000. The remaining $1,350 is allocated in the department’s budget.

The city council also classified 13 structures in the city as unsafe to start the process of court-ordered demolition. The city demolished 67 structures in June 2024.

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