How The Program Works

The Kern Secret Witness Program relies on anonymous tips of community members. Secret Witness maintains a 24 hour hotline for the receipt of information provided by community members. The information may be in response to a law enforcement agency's request for assistance on unsolved crimes, or unsolicited information about a crime or wanted person.

If information provided proves to be worthwhile, the caller-who is given a code name and number at the time of their initial call is asked to re-contact the hotline to arrange for collection of the reward. The hotline documents all information received and faxes it to the appropriate law enforcement agency for follow-up. Information received that is successful in solving a crime, or locating a wanted person, is forwarded to the Secret Witness Board of Directors who will determine the significance of the information provided, and decide on the amount of reward to be disbursed.

The board of Directors has sole discretion to authorized and set the value of the reward.