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Investigations

The Investigations Bureau consists of detectives and support staff who conduct follow-up investigations on criminal cases and prepare them for presentation to the District Attorney’s Office.

Most often, uniform patrol officers are the first responders to contact victims of crimes.  The patrol officers conduct the initial investigation and prepare the reports for follow-up by detectives and support staff.

Detectives staff the bureau Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., but are available 24 hours a day in order to provide expertise, guidance, and assistance. On major cases, detectives are called into work during their off-duty hours to handle investigations requiring immediate attention.

The Investigations Bureau is comprised of 3 sergeants, 17 detectives, 3 forensic specialists, 2 civilian investigative aides, and is managed by Lieutenant Gary Worrall. The Bureau is divided into three separate units focusing on specific areas of crime: Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property, and Vice and Narcotics.  The bureau works closely with detectives from other jurisdictions to track down and identify a wide range of criminal offenders. This unit is charged with preparing high-profile cases for prosecution and works very closely with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Our Police Department also has detectives assigned to County Wide Investigative Task Forces such as the Orange County Auto Theft Task Force (OCATT) and the Regional Narcotics Suppression Program (RNSP).  These detectives work off-site with teams of other detectives from law enforcement agencies throughout Orange County to combat problems at a regional level.

The Crimes Persons Unit investigates crimes committed against individuals and weapons offenses. This unit consists of six detectives assigned to the Robbery-Homicide, Sex Crimes, Family Violence, and Gang details.  The unit is supervised by Sergeant Bradley Geyer.

The Crimes Persons Unit is also staffed with an extremely dedicated and hardworking Investigative Aide. The Investigative Aide handles Megan’s Law requests, the tracking of sex registrants within the City, the filing of cases with the District Attorney’s office, and providing general assistance with a variety of ongoing investigations.

The Crimes Property Unit is comprised of five Detectives and an Investigative Aide and is supervised by Sergeant Shawn Morgan. This unit is responsible for investigating property crimes, which may include: burglary, auto theft, vandalism, fraud, identity theft, and arson.

The Investigative Aide is a non-sworn position that has become an indispensable part of the Detective Bureau. This person assists detectives in filing cases at court, acting as a liaison with the District Attorney’s office, filing pawn transactions, case preparation, and audio-visual evidence replication.

The Vice and Narcotics Unit is comprised of a sergeant and three investigators. Members of this unit often conceal their identity in order to mingle with and infiltrate the criminal element. Their appearance and demeanor are more similar to the people they investigate than to police officers.  Though they are the least conspicuous, these investigators contribute a great deal to the quality of life in our City. The Vice and Narcotics Unit targets large and small quantity dealers of illicit narcotics. This unit has the ability to catch the local small-time dealer, but also has the knowledge and ability to put together complex cases to bring down major drug distributors.

The Vice and Narcotics Unit has developed an excellent working relationship with their counterparts in neighboring cities and counties, as well as with State and Federal Narcotic Agencies.

Additionally, the Vice and Narcotics Unit monitor the City’s massage businesses, enforce gambling and liquor laws, and participate in virtually any undercover assignment to help the Police Department better serve the community.

The Buena Park Police Department currently has three Forensic Specialists serving in the Crime Scene Investigation Unit. They arrange for coverage at crime scenes on a seven-day-a-week basis.

Each specialist is highly trained in areas regarding the collection and identification of physical evidence. The Forensic Specialists document crime scenes using digital photography, video equipment, and computer-aided sketches. They are able to locate the smallest particles of evidence through the use of specialized technological equipment. This evidence may include bullet projectiles or fragments, faint blood spatters or other trace evidence such as hair and fibers. Through analysis and comparison, physical evidence is most often used to confirm a crime has occurred and can lead to the identification of suspects and subsequent prosecution.

Contact Numbers:

Detective Bureau
(714) 562-3971 OR (714) 562-3977

Forensics / Crime Scene Investigation Unit 
(714) 562-3947