Brian Lacey

Detective Brian Lacey is assigned to the El Cajon Police Department’s Family Protection Unit in California, where he investigates sexual assault, elder abuse, crimes against children, technology-facilitated exploitation, and internet crimes against children. He is a member of the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and his investigations regularly involve mobile device analysis, app-based communications, social media, and other forms of digital evidence. Detective Lacey has presented investigative and technology-focused topics to law enforcement professionals at the Wisconsin ICAC Conference and IACP Technology Conference. His work focuses on practical investigative techniques that allow detectives to identify, analyze, and articulate digital evidence in cases where agencies may not have dedicated technical or forensic units. Prior to joining the El Cajon Police Department in 2023, Detective Lacey spent five years with the Idaho State Police, serving as a trooper and Collision Reconstructionist. He has also served as a Drug Recognition Expert. These assignments developed a foundation in structured evidence analysis, observation, technical interpretation, and the articulation of complex findings. Detective Lacey brings a multidisciplinary approach to investigations, combining traditional investigative practices with emerging technology and data-driven analysis. He is particularly interested in helping investigators translate both quantitative and qualitative information into clear investigative findings, defensible documentation, and practical investigative leads, especially within agencies operating with limited specialized resources.