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The first deputies in the Delano-McFarland area were resident or special deputies and were assigned in the late 1930s or early 1940s. The City of Delano was incorporated in 1915 and had its own police department. In 1951 Sergeant Ray Brittain was assigned to the area and would commute daily from the Bakersfield office. After a short time Sergeant Brittain moved to McFarland and then worked the area from his residence. The county also paid Mrs. Brittain as a matron on an "as needed" basis. In 1952 the station was moved to Delano and the Sheriff Department shared jail and office space with the Delano Police Department in the 1100 block of Jefferson. Around 1954 the station was moved to the 400 block of Lexington where it remained until 1983. By 1957 there were three deputies and a clerk assigned to Sergeant Brittain’s command at the station.
In 1957 the City of McFarland incorporated and formed its own police department. Within a few years the police department staff numbered six sworn officers. After the incorporation of McFarland the name was eventually dropped from the Sheriff's Department area name. The Sheriff’s Department continued to provide services to the rural areas around the cities of Delano and McFarland from the Lexington station.
In 1991 McFarland closed down its police department and became the third city to contract with the Sheriff Department for police services. Additional deputies were added to provide services to McFarland, bringing the total to eight deputies, a sergeant and two clerks. The McFarland Station is the former police building next to city hall. In 1997, the station was expanded with the addition of three offices and a squad room with desks for the deputies.
Currently the McFarland Station is the base of operations for staff assigned to the Delano County Substation. There is approximately 400 square miles in the Delano response area and a new substation is currently in the planning and will be located in Delano. The substation investigates a variety of crimes. Most of the crimes involve agriculture crimes, vehicle recoveries, and theft of fuel and cooper wire thefts.
The Delano Substation provides bailiffs and court security to the Delano/McFarland Branch of the Kern County Superior Court. The presence of the Sheriff in the Kern County Superior Court has been a long time requirement. The Sheriff is required to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for the dispensing of justice. Not much has changed over the years in the way these duties are performed. In recent years, the volume of prisoners transported to Delano Court has increased. Also the number of criminal and civil court cases filed in the Delano Court has increased. Currently there is one full time Judge assigned to the court and a second Judge divides his time between the Delano and Shafter Courts. The court is located at 1122 Jefferson Street, Delano, CA 93215. |