Investigations Bureau

Captain Dexter Thomas

Captain Dexter Thomas is the Investigations Bureau Commander. He began his Law Enforcement career with the Department of Public Safety at The University of Southern California. In 1986 he was hired as a Police Reserve Officer with the Ontario Police Department, and has served many assignments as he promoted through the ranks. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the California State University at San Bernardino. He is also a graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Point Leadership Program. Our Bureau contains the Detective Unit, the Narcotics Unit, the Gang Unit, the Crime Scene Unit, the Crime Analysis Unit and the Evidence Unit. Our Detectives have promoted through the ranks of Officer and Corporal to become well trained and very experienced investigators. The Lieutenant and Sergeants that supervise the Investigations Bureau are all former Detectives. The Professional Staff assigned to assist the Detective Unit receive specialized training. Our Detectives carry a wide variety of caseloads. A Detective may

have expertise in homicide, burglary, fraud, identity theft, sexual assaults, vehicle theft, narcotics violations and other offenses. The Detectives in the Unit have been assigned to Area Command districts. They are responsive to geographic areas of the City and are familiar with crime trends specific to their particular district.

Our Narcotics Unit works with other Department Units, other local Law Enforcement Units, California State Law Enforcement agencies and Federal Law Enforcement agencies. The Narcotic Unit serves to help our citizens maintain the quality of life in their neighborhood, and the Unit serves to thwart the efforts of major drug traffickers.

Our Gang Unit members are experts in investigating the activities of persons that conduct criminal activity in groups. They work with other Departmental Units, Local agencies, Federal agencies and State agencies to curtail the violent activities often associated with gang members.

Our Crime Scene Unit works with all other Units and Divisions within the Department. The technicians in the Unit are highly trained and experienced forensic specialist. The technicians have the technology, equipment and training to discover and process evidence for all of the criminal cases filed for prosecution.

Our Evidence Unit takes in all manner of physical goods into professional and organized custody. The Unit maintains all evidence in the preparation for adjudication.

Our Crime Analysis Unit has developed an expertise in knowing the criminal activity and criminal trends throughout the West County region. The Crime Analysis Unit produces statistical information, wanted persons flyers and investigative lead sheets for Officers and Detectives.

Thank you for your interest in the Investigations Bureau website. The investigative techniques used by our Law Enforcement Officers and Professional Staff are modern and innovative. The efforts of faith based organizations, community members, businesses, all City Departments and your Police Department combine help to keep our community safe. Your Investigations Bureau needs your observations in the community and we need your full effort towards crime prevention to maintain and continue to improve the quality of life in Ontario.