Investigations Bureau

The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau provides thorough and effective investigative and specialized services to the public and San Mateo County criminal justice agencies to ensure safer communities and provide the foundation for investigation and successful prosecution of criminals while promoting countywide and area-wide collaborative partnerships.

Contact Us:

330 Bradford Street (View Map)
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 599-1536
Monday – Friday *Except Holidays. 
8:00AM – 5:00PM

This unit is responsible for all investigations concerning homicides, officer-involved shootings/deaths, major assaults, robbery, kidnap, and other similar crimes against persons not handled by any other unit. The Unit is also responsible for investigation of domestic violence and juvenile cases.

The main functions of the Domestic Violence Firearms Compliance Unit are to conduct investigations of domestic violence cases and to ensure the safe and timely surrender of firearms for safekeeping as required by Family Court Orders or by civil agreement.

S.F.I.A is responsible for investigation of all crimes reported at the San Francisco International Airport and in the northern portion of the county. These reported crimes may be crimes against persons and/or property.

The San Mateo County Cargo Theft Task Force (AIRCATS) was created by several cooperating law enforcement agencies in response to the increasing number of thefts being reported of cargo-in-transit, particularly high tech goods and computer components. AIRCATS is staffed by investigators from the San Francisco Police Department's Airport Bureau, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. AIRCATS's objective is to detect, arrest, and prosecute those persons who commit such thefts and to prevent, interfere with, and disrupt the unlawful traffic in stolen cargo. To reach this goal, AIRCATS relies on cooperative relationships with freight brokers and freight forwarders operating to and from the San Francisco International Airport. AIRCATS works closely with other regional law enforcement task forces also engaged in abating the theft of both high tech and other cargo.

The goal of the Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit is to deploy enforcement and investigative resources to address crime problems in specific areas experiencing a high rate of narcotics activity, violent crime, gang activity or prostitution.

The Countywide Gang Task Force was established in August 2005 by mutual agreement between the membership of the San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs’ Association. The Gang Task Force is comprised of personnel from each law enforcement agency in San Mateo County, the Probation Department, and the District Attorney's Office, and it utilizes state and federal resources, as well. Their mission is to take a pro-active approach to the increased presence of gang activity and related violence in San Mateo County through intelligence driven enforcement operations in order to improve the safety and quality of life in our community.