The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Robbery/Homicide Unit consists of six Detectives and one Sergeant. They are supported by two Office Service Technicians. The Robbery/Homicide Unit investigates “crimes against persons” such as assault and battery, domestic violence, elder physical abuse, hate crimes, annoying phone calls, robbery, criminal threats, stalking, violation of restraining orders, officer involved shootings and homicide. These investigations can vary from being very basic in nature to those that can become very complex, with multiple leads to be followed up, extensive travel, and several man-hours involved.

The unit is divided into three two-person teams assigned to work these cases. The Detectives assigned to the unit are on an on-call rotation in which there is a “team” ready to respond 24 hours a day if the need arises. Detectives also work with members of the Sheriff’s Coroner Division in that they attend autopsies to assist in determining the cause and manner of death in potential homicide cases.

Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit also work closely with the Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit with the investigation of crimes against person’s when suspected gang members are involved.

Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit receive extensive training in the investigation of homicides and other violent crimes. Detectives assigned to the unit also work closely with members of the District Attorney’s Office to ensure investigations are as complete as possible and ready for trial.

The Robbery/Homicide Unit has added a position for an extra help deputy to work “cold cases”. With the development and expansion of the use of DNA evidence the investigator assigned to this position will review unsolved homicides that may have had items of evidence seized in these investigations in which DNA may be available. This gives us a greater opportunity to solve some of these cases.