Criminal Investigation Division
 | The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) serves as the main investigative branch of the Department. Officers assigned to CID conduct follow-up investigations for criminal cases and respond to crime scenes when requested. Each case is reviewed for solvability factors and assigned to an investigator for follow-up based on the type of crime. Captain Sharon Williams leads CID. |
Scroll down to learn more about the following units within the Division:
- Youth & Family Services
- Field Investigation
- Field Support
- Theft (Investigations)
Criminal Investigation Division Overview
Information Desk - (510) 238-3744
During an investigation, members of the division:
- Collect, preserve and analyze evidence
- Identify, locate and interview witnesses and suspects
- Prepare and obtain search and/or arrest warrants
- Gather pertinent information useful in reconstructing the occurrence or circumstances of a crime act
- Prepare documentation and consult with the District Attorney's office for a successful prosecution.
There is useful information about how you can protect yourself from crime in the Our Services section of this website, specifically in:
Youth & Family Services Section
The Youth & Family Services Section works with the youth of the City of Oakland by providing services designed to prevent entry into the criminal justice system through mentoring and program referrals to programs such as McCullum Youth Court and Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (scroll down to Second Chance Connections on this page). Family Services also works with those already in the criminal justice system in order to mitigate that contact and guide youth to a more productive path. Lieutenant Kevin Wiley leads the Family Services Section. |
Family Services consists of five groups:
- Juvenile Intake Unit
- Missing Persons Unit
- OK (the Our Kids Program)
- PAL (Police Activity League)
- School Safety
Juvenile Intake Unit - Receives and processes all arrested juveniles in the City of Oakland. The unit arranges for foster care as well as housing for incorrigible youths.
- (510) 238-3641
- Unit Supervisor: (510) 238-3370
Missing Persons Unit - Investigates all missing persons, runaway and child abduction-related incidents.
- (510) 238-3352
- Unit Supervisor: (510) 238-3370
The OK Program focuses on reducing the high incarceration and homicide rates of African-American young men (12 - 18 years old). Since its inception, no graduate of the OK Program has ever been sentenced to prison or been the victim of a homicide. In fact, the majority of OK graduates have gone on to college, military service, or enroll in vocational training. More significantly, all participants have assumed responsible citizenship roles in their communities.
The mission of the OK Program is to facilitate partnerships between police agencies, educational institutions, students, community members, businesses, and the faith community.
The OK Program:
- Provides needed services to youth who are at high risk of incarceration and homicide (with an intense focus on African-American young men).
- Promotes economic self-reliance.
- Encourages responsible citizenship and civic leaders for the 21st Century.
- In 2008, Oakland became the newest OK Mentorship Program Affiliate through the combined efforts of Lt. James Meeks of the Oakland Police Department, Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel Church, and Reverend J. Alfred Smith Sr. of Allen Temple Church.
There is no cost. Young men can join and participate in OK for free.
The OK Program works with young men from 12 to 18 years old and is especially targeted to middle school youth.
Interested in enrolling a student or becoming a teammate?
- Call (510) 2238-7998
- Email okprogram@okprogramofoakland.com
- Or go to the Oakland OK Program website to learn more.
PAL (Police Activities League)
Oakland PAL works with kids from 5 to18 years old. It) is a program dedicated to offering programs and opportunities for kids to work with positive role models and learn about success and failure without guns and drugs.
There is no cost. Kids can join and participate in PAL for free.
- The East Oakland PAL Center is located at 9600 Sunnyside Street, Verdese Carter Park.
- The West Oakland PAL Center is located at 3131 Union Street, Willie Keys/Poplar Park.
For additional information, visit the Oakland PAL website.
Family Services Administration is pleased to offer these links to programs that serve the youth of Oakland.
| Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth | Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth is a diverse group of community activists, youth, lawyers, judges, educators, elected officials and other individuals who seek to fundamentally shift the way we respond to wrongdoing. RJOY provides training, direct services and technical assistance in restorative processes to the justice system, schools and communities in the Greater Oakland area. | |
| Code 33 | Code 33 is a 5-week culture-shifting experience built on an interactive, culturally relevant curriculum designed to improve youth–police relations by promoting better understanding and mutual respect between youth and police with the ultimate goal of improving public safety in Oakland. Code 33 helps officers and youth learn about each other’s unique histories and norms. As individuals, youth and officers will bring their own diverse views and backgrounds (e.g., probationers, parolees, young mothers, truants, “star” students, native officers, new officers) to the mix. In each Code 33 cycle, 18 youth and 12 officers engage in one 3-hour workshop each week, facilitated by a seasoned adult and a dynamic youth. These facilitators work together, “translating” between officers and youth to ensure open dialogue. This program is coordinated by Youth UpRising working in partnership with OPD. It is the intention of the Department that every patrol officer will participate in this experience. | |
| McCullum Youth Court | McCullum Youth Court offers youth offenders a second chance through restorative justice, peer accountability and empowering opportunities. The Youth Court was designed to provide effective and innovative early intervention and diversion services to first-time juvenile offenders in Oakland, as well as offering empowering volunteer opportunities for local youth. |
Field Investigation Section
The Field Investigation Section operates from a “victim-centered” philosophy to provide superior service to our citizens, especially juveniles. At the same time, it works to aggressively bring to justice those who victimize our community. Take a look at our brochure to learn more. Acting Lieutenant Jill Encinias heads up the Field Investigation Section. |
There are five major units within the Field Investigation Section:
- (510) 238-3256
- Unit Supervisor (510) 238-3829
- 24-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate 1-800-947-8301
The Domestic Violence Unit investigates all reported cases of domestic violence, including elder abuse, in the City of Oakland. The unit coordinates its efforts with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the Family Justice Center.
Investigators assigned to this unit work closely with contracted advocates from the Family Violence Law Center (FVLC).
Domestic violence victims who come into contact with the police between 5:00 pm and 9:00 am can have immediate advocate contact through FVLC’s Over Night Emergency Response Team (ONERT).
- (510) 238-2188
- (510) 238-2189
- (510) 238-2190
The Identification Unit processes (registers) all convicted drug, arson and sex offenders residing and/or working in the City of Oakland.
- (510) 238-7910
- SVU 1 Unit Supervisor (510) 587-2500
- SVU 2 Unit Supervisor (510) 587-2506
The Special Victims Unit investigates sexual assault, child abuse and cold cases.
- SVU 1 is tasked with investigating sexual assault and child abuse cases, including sexual assault cold cases.
- SVU 2 is tasked with investigating and monitoring all registered sex offenders living/working in the City and ensuring their DNA samples are on file with the state. In addition, the unit is also tasked with the processing (registering) of all convicted sex and drug offenders as well as arsonists as mandated by State law. SVU 2 consists of:
- The 290 PC Enforcement Team, which participates in the Alameda County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force. This county task force is made up of officers from various Alameda County law enforcement agencies whose job it is to monitor violent sex offenders as well as provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies.
- The Identification Unit, which processes (registers) all convicted drug, arson and sex offenders residing and/or working in the City of Oakland .
Vice & Child Exploitation Unit
- (510) 238-7911
- Unit Supervisor (510) 587-2540
The Vice & Child Exploitation Unit investigates all vice-crime-related incidents, as well as child prostitution, Internet crimes against children and human trafficking.
Field Support Unit
The Field Support Unit is composed ot two sections: Major Crimes, Section 1 (MCS1), and Major Crimes, Section 2 (MCS2). Acting Sergeant Gregg Williams heads up the Field Support Unit.
Major Crimes, Section 1
Major Crimes Section 1 focuses on Homicide. It works to identify perpetrators, arrest offenders and solve homicides in Oakland. It uses DNA evidence to close “cold cases.” Investigators pursue those responsible to bring them to justice and to give victims’ family members a sense of closure.
If you have information about a homicide, please contact us:
- Homicide Tip email address (tips may be made anonymously): oaklandhomicide@oaklandnet.com
Within the Homicide Section, the Gang/Gun Investigation Task Force (GITF) identifies gangs and gang members. This unit follows up on gang-related violence, activity and associates. Its mission, to predict and prevent violence, requires a proactive approach. GITF also works to identify those possessing or selling guns here in Oakland.
Major Crimes, Section 2
Major Crimes, Section 2, handles Robbery & Assault
Task Forces
- Fugitive Detail – The primary mission of the fugitive detail is to search for felons wanted by investigators for crimes committed in Oakland. Its secondary function is to extradite fugitives from all over both the state and the nation back to Oakland. The detail also works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on high profile, and international fugitive searches.
- ATF Task Force
- Narcotics Charging Detail - The role of the narcotics charging detail is to prepare all narcotics related arrests for charging with the District Attorney, provide advice and assistance to field units on narcotics related issues, and asset forfeiture of narcotics related evidence.
- Weapons Charging - The Weapons Charging Unit is responsible for charging weapons-related cases.
- DEA Task Force - In connection with the US Drug Enforcment Administration, this task force is tasked with investigating, locating, arresting, and prosecuting drug traffickers.
- USM Task Force
- US Secret Service
Theft Unit (Investigations)
