RALEIGH -- The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has a 25-year veteran of the agency as its new acting director. Governor Pat McCrory named Janie Sutton to that position today. Sutton had most recently been serving as deputy director of the agency. She replaces B.W. Collier, who retired as SBI director effective April 1. “I want to first thank B.W. Collier for his service and dedication in leading the SBI for more than a year and a half,” said Governor McCrory in a press release. “The SBI is now fortunate to have someone with Janie Sutton’s experience who is willing to step up to serve in this position of leading the state’s primary investigative agency.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the SBI and the governor as acting director,” said Sutton. “I look forward to continued collaboration within our agency and without as we build on the strong history of the SBI.”

Sutton has served with the Bureau since 1991. As a field agent, she conducted investigations ranging from homicides and embezzlements to public corruption and narcotics conspiracies. She has served as an assistant special agent in charge and, later, special agent in charge, of the Southeastern District. She is a former team leader of the Bureau's Crisis Negotiation Team. In 2014, she was appointed assistant director of Field Operations, and in 2015, deputy director.

The SBI assists local law enforcement with criminal investigations. The agency also has original jurisdiction in drug and arson investigations, election law violations, child sexual abuse in day care centers and computer crimes against children.