Detective Bureau

The Investigative Section functions in support of the Support Services Division. The primary goal of the Section is to provide follow-up criminal investigations leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of suspects, recovery of property, and the clearance of cases. Section personnel employs a variety of investigative techniques and teamwork to accomplish this goal.

The Investigative Section includes three specialized bureaus:

  • Crimes Against Persons caseloads include:
    • Assault
    • Domestic Violence
    • Elder/Child Abuse
    • Robbery/Homicide
    • Sex Crimes
    • Weapons Violations
  • Crimes Against Property caseloads include:
    • Elder Financial Abuse
    • Forgery/Fraud
    • Grand Theft Auto
    • Grand Theft
    • Identity Theft
    • Residential/Commercial Burglary
  • High-Tech Crime caseloads include County, State, and Federal large asset forfeiture cases.

The complexity of modern criminality requires detectives to be trained and knowledgeable in all the specific types of criminal activities in each category. Investigative Services personnel conduct all aspects of criminal investigations.

Other Criminal Activities Handled by the Detective Bureau

Civilian, non-sworn support personnel (a Police Service Officer) also handle a variety of matters including Misdemeanor Adult Crimes; Alhambra Municipal Code Violations; Annoying and Harassing Telephone Calls; Vandalism.

Additional tasks include Subpoena Service and Court Liaison. An assigned uniform patrol officer will conduct an initial investigation, write a report on the crime circumstances, pertinent facts, witness statements, and list physical evidence at the scene. Cases are prioritized for investigative follow-up based on the severity and nature of the crime and the presence or absence of workable leads. Current investigative skills, techniques, and technical resources are used to identify, locate and apprehend criminal suspects, recover stolen property and provide prosecutors with criminal cases that will culminate in successful prosecutions.


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Special Enforcement Unit (S.E.U.)

  • The S.E.U. unit is comprised of detectives assigned to specific caseloads involving all gang-related criminal activity, vice, narcotics, criminal intelligence, and alcohol-related crimes and is supervised by a police sergeant. The unit works with county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
  • Gang enforcement officers assigned to the Field Services Division work in partnership with SEU conducting monthly enforcement operations focusing on criminal gang activity, parolees, and those on active probation.
  • The detective works with sworn law enforcement personnel from the county, state, and federal agencies investigating and apprehending criminal suspects involved in narcotics trafficking.