MAJOR CRIMES UNIT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE DETECTIVE DIVISION
Detectives in the Special Victims Unit
and convictions were secured. The
are responsible for crimes that are
Major Crimes Unit investigated a home
sexual in nature: child molestations,
invasion robbery which led to a
child pornography, non-financial elder
manhunt. The suspect was located on
abuse, and sexual registrants. The
the east coast and extradited to San
Crime Lab, forensic specialists, and the
Luis Obispo County. Along with these
Cal-ID coordinator provide technical
major investigations, detectives investi-
is responsible for the investigation of
evidence collection and analysis to all
gated numerous cases of attempted
criminal cases that go above and
agencies in the county.
homicide, burglary, identity theft,
beyond the scope and resources of the Patrol Division. This includes all
While carrying their caseload,
misdemeanor and felony crimes for
detectives must also appear in court to
both local and state laws where other
testify on investigations that have been
at-risk missing persons, criminal threats, child abuse, and embezzlement, just to name a few.
agencies do not have the primary
submitted to the District Attorney’s
Lastly, a joint effort between the Cold
investigative responsibility. These
Office and filed in court. Some cases
Case Unit, Crime Lab, and the entire
cases require a large number of
make it through the court process in a
Sheriff’s Office Detective Division led to
resources for an extended period of
relatively short amount of time, while
a major break thru in the Kristin Smart
time. They typically require investiga-
others may take years.
case which led to multiple arrests.
tors with specialized training,
In 2021, the Major Crimes Unit investi-
knowledge, and equipment.
gated an officer-involved shooting (OIS)
“OUR DETECTIVES ARE
Detectives in the Detective Division are
in the City of San Luis Obispo. The
DEDICATED. THEY ARE
assigned to a specific area of investiga-
Major Crimes Unit solved an active
TENACIOUS. AND THEY
tion. Detectives in the Major Crimes
homicide investigation that began in 2018 in Oceano. Multiple homicide
NEVER GIVE UP.”
Unit are responsible for investigating crimes against persons and property.
cases went through the trial process
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—SHERIFF PARKINSON
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
