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Specialized Investigations
This is a support division that serves all of the Sheriff's stations and divisions within the geographical jurisdiction of the department.
The division currently under the command of Captain Tom Neely, is responsible for investigating a variety of major crimes, including but not limited to, homicide, suspicious death, officer-involved shooting incidents where injury occurs, crimes against children, Regional Gang unit for the suppression of street gangs and a Hi-Tech unit for cases involving technological devices.
In addition to the more conventional investigations, and as a result of the specialized training and experience acquired by investigators assigned to the division, sensitive specialized investigations for other law enforcement agencies and/or County departments are also conducted. Essentially, the services of the division are available to any law enforcement agency in the County with the approval of the Office of the Sheriff.
Development and application of new technological resources in the fight against crime has been an ongoing challenge. New, state-of-the-art computer software and hardware is being applied on a regular basis to keep on the cutting edge of information resources. Investigators routinely use computer technology to generate computer crime scene diagrams for court display, to track ongoing cases with current database programs, and to obtain information and resources to assist in locating and identifying potential suspects and witnesses.
Homicide
The Homicide Detail is responsible for investigating all homicides, unexplained deaths, deaths of a suspicious nature and in-custody deaths that occur in the department's primary jurisdiction. Similar investigations are done in those contract city areas served by the department, as well as other police agency jurisdictions, when approved by the Office of the Sheriff. The Homicide Detail also investigates all "officer-involved shootings" where a deputy or other person has been injured as the result of gunfire in those areas mentioned above. Other shooting investigations, where no injury is incurred, will also be investigated by the unit if requested by the officer's commander, deputy chief, or Office of the Sheriff.
During 2005, many investigations were brought to a successful conclusion with the assistance of the Sheriff's Narcotics Division "Crime Impact Teams" and members of the newly formed Sheriff's Gang Suppression Teams. These teams were critical in their assistance for locating and arresting several violent suspects.
In November 2004, voters passed Proposition 69 which became law on January 2005. The law requires anyone convicted of a felony crime to submit to a sample of their DNA which in turn is submitted and stored in California 's DNA Bank known as CODIS. Under the new law, persons arrested for a specified felony crime are required to submit their DNA sample. In January 2009, the law will require anyone arrested for any felony crime to submit a DNA sample. This new law is a valuable tool for law enforcement. It will allow homicide investigators to review our homicide “cold cases” for any DNA evidence found during the investigation and resubmit to CODIS. As a result of this new law, investigators have received (4) DNA matches identifying individuals involved in homicides that occurred in the 1980's.
Crimes Against Children Detail
The Crimes Against Children Detail specializes in the investigation of child sexual abuse cases, child sex rings, child pornography, child exploitation, Internet crimes against children, and other child victim cases where special investigative skills and training are used. During the course of investigating these crimes, detectives routinely rely upon the services of other agencies i.e., County Child Protective Services, the Children's Fund Assessment Center, the Loma Linda Children's Hospital and the District Attorney's Victim/Witness Program.
As specialized training is an essential element of being a successful Crimes Against Children investigator, training of other officers and citizens is just as important in the protection of our children. The Crimes Against Children supervisors and detectives spent more than 300 hours training others each year. Having only eight detectives, one sergeant and one lieutenant assigned to the detail, they are surely tasked with the responsibility and pressure of coordinating the many major child abuse investigations within the County. Those 300 training hours, in addition to regular and overtime hours, are a significant example of the dedication of the men and women of the unit.
Since the Megan's Law computer network went on-line in July, 1997, there has been an opportunity for the public to inquire about subjects living within their own neighborhood that may have prior convictions of child abuse or molest. This has allowed our department to disclose information on "high risk sex offenders" to their neighbors. Even though the public use of the Megan's Law computer has diminished over the last four years, the availability of that computer is still considered an excellent tool and helps to provide unity between law enforcement and the public.
The Crimes Against Children Detail has organized a PC 290 Sex Offender Containment and Enforcement Team, which is comprised of thirty different departments within the county of San Bernardino. The purpose for the team is to provide sex offender training to law enforcement, Deputy District Attorney's, Parole and Probation Officers and the mental health professions who deal with sex offenders; also to open up lines of communication among all of the agencies involved.
POLYGRAPH DETAIL
The Polygraph Detail has been part of the Specialized Investigations Division since 1996. As with the other details within the division, the Polygraph Detail provides support for criminal, administrative and background investigators within the department. In this role, members of the detail provide an integral and vital element to the successful investigative team concept.
Other law enforcement agencies may/and do avail themselves of the services provided by this detail. The Sheriff's Department presently contracts with 17 different outside police and fire agencies. Other contracts are currently pending. The acquisition of computerized polygraph machines, bilingual examiners and other personnel additions have been recently implemented in a measure to provide better service and product to law enforcement agencies throughout the region.
The function of the polygrapher is to assist an investigator in establishing the truth-telling profile of a job applicant, crime suspect, or the credibility of a witness. Polygraph can assist an investigator by giving direction on the investigation and assist in corroborating evidence and statements that may otherwise be difficult to measure. It is not intended to, nor can it replace, basic investigative techniques or evidence interpretation.
In the year 2005, the Polygraph Detail conducted over 300 criminal polygraph examinations and over 1260 pre-employment examinations. The Polygraph Detail members have an exceptional record of soliciting admissions and obtaining crucial information while assisting detectives in high profile cases.
Hi-Tech Crime Detail
During 2005, the Hi-Tech Crime Detail handled 355 cases. The cases required the forensic examinations of computers, video and audio involved in such crimes as identity theft, child exploitation, robberies and homicide.
Since their inception in December 1999, the detail has gained the recognition as one of the primer units of its type. That recognition has brought with it many requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies throughout San Bernardino County , the State of California , other states within the country and several international requests for assistance. The Hi-Tech Detail has been recognized in international law enforcement magazines and documentary work by MSNBC television.
The personnel within the detail are routinely attending classes and seminars to keep up with the ever changing technology challenges. Members of the detail continue diligently developing and identifying equipment in an effort to train and assist other investigators in the use of the new technology. They are also working with private industry and government resources to develop information.
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