The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is charged with a purely criminal investigative mission and function. The Division employs Special Agents who are sworn law enforcement officers possessing statewide jurisdiction and charged with the responsibility of enforcing the laws of the State of Wisconsin. The Division also has a cadre of digital, criminal, and investigative program analysts who support Wisconsin's law enforcement agencies. Finally, our administrative support personnel help the Division be responsive to the citizens of Wisconsin and all of our criminal justice partners. DCI has a responsibility of investigating crimes that are statewide in nature or importance. DCI Special Agents and analysts work closely with local, county, tribal, state and federal officials to investigate and prosecute crimes involving homicide, arson, financial crimes, illegal gaming, multi-jurisdictional crimes, drug trafficking, computer crimes, homeland security, public integrity and government corruption as well as crimes against children. The Division also performs special investigations requested by the Governor or the Legislature. In addition, the Division provides extensive training to local, state and federal officers on current issues in law enforcement. 

Division Administration

Tina R. Virgil
Administrator

Tina has served under five Attorneys General in a variety of roles during the past 29 years at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). Tina was hired on December 19, 2021, as the Administrator of the Wisconsin DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) having served for three years as the Administrator of the Division of Law Enforcement Services (DLES). She was appointed to the DLES position by newly elected Attorney General Josh Kaul on January 6, 2019. Among her service, Tina was designated by Attorney General Brad Schimel in 2016 as the Director of the newly created Bureau of Special Investigations overseeing critical-incident response for officer-involved shootings for the Division of Criminal Investigation. She also held the position of State Fire Marshal. Tina has served as Executive Director of the Office of Crime Victim Services appointed by Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen in 2007.

Tina has been active in a variety of statewide and national initiatives, including serving as the Chapter President for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), a member of the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association, and the National Association of Women in Law Enforcement Executives. Tina has served as an appointed Commissioner to the Sun Prairie Plan Commission since May 2019. Tina is the recipient of the 2021 Wisconsin Women in Government Legacy Award. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA).

Tina received her Bachelor of Science Degree double-majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Edgewood College and graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police School of Staff and Command. She is also a graduate of the Wisconsin Command College.

Cindy K. Giese
Deputy Administrator

Cindy has been with DCI for 35 years. Her law enforcement expertise includes leading investigations, Officer Involved Critical Incidents (OICI), and initiating Wisconsin’s Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Program.  

Cindy’s proactive, high-energy, candid approach has been applied in her work with national, state, and local organizations. Cindy served as Interim Executive Director for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, a national non-profit organization where she transitioned from serving on the organization’s Board of Directors to the Executive Director role. In 2015, Cindy was recognized with the National DEC Collaborative Leadership Award. Cindy continues to serve the National DEC as an advisor and mentor.  In addition, Cindy has been a leading force in Wisconsin DEC from concept in 2002 to the current state of 64 established programs throughout the state with Wisconsin DEC receiving recognition for Wisconsin’s Native American program development as well as county program growth. Cindy currently is the Wisconsin DEC Statewide Coordinator.

Cindy has a proven history of creating effective work teams and productive workforces with experience throughout her DCI law enforcement career and prior to DCI in the Juneau County Sheriff’s Department. Cindy currently serves as the Buffalo County Coroner, a position she has held since 2017 after serving on the coroner’s team since 2003. 

Cindy’s sworn law enforcement background also includes certification in Leadership of Police Organizations (LPO) through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. She holds memberships in the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators (WAHI), Wisconsin Association of Women Police, and commits to strong community involvement in the Mondovi American Legion Auxiliary and the Mondovi Lions Club.