Welcome to the Kern Secret Witness Website.
The Kern Secret Witness program has taken every precaution to make
your website visit safe. We do not track your IP address to your
computer when you visit our website. In addition, the web server
does not keep any statistical logs on our visitors.
History
of Kern Secret Witness Program
The Kern Secret Witness Program was formed as a public benefit,
nonprofit corporation in 1982. It is a collaborative effort between
law enforcement and the community to involve the public in the
criminal justice system by removing the fear of reprisal for assisting
law enforcement. This is guaranteed by insuring that those who
provide information will never be identified by the Secret Witness
Program.
Rewards
are available for those who provide information that leads to
the arrest and conviction of suspected persons. This program is
administered by the Secret Witness Board of Directors, and all
funding for the program comes from public donations.
The Bakersfield
Police Department and Kern
County Sheriff's Department support the Secret Witness program
and recognize it as a valuable tool to help solve crimes and apprehend
wanted persons
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.
Purpose
Because police officers are often unable to know everything that
is going on in the community, citizen participation in law enforcement
and crime prevention is crucial. The Kern Secret Witness Program
is designed to provide incentives to community members for becoming
involved in crime prevention and resolution.
Citizen's
are offered opportunities to make the community a safer place
to live by becoming involved in crime prevention. Besides making
a positive contribution to the community, individuals can enjoy
some monetary reward for their efforts thanks to the Secret Witness
Program.
Donation
The Kern Secret Witness Program is funded by donations from local
businesses and individuals. Secret Witness funds are disbursed and
monitored by volunteer (non-paid) Board of Directors consisting
of community members.
To make a tax deductible contribution to the program please
call (661) 322-4040.