Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calaveras County lieutenant highlights cold‑case progress, donor‑funded equipment and recruitment plans
Summary
Lieutenant Greg Stark told Taxpayer Alert the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office has raised about $250,000 for a cold‑case task force, submitted roughly 350 pieces of evidence for forensic testing, is adding a donor‑funded patrol canine and expects nine new deputies by early 2026 while evaluating new technology and training.
Lieutenant Greg Stark, public information officer for the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, told Taxpayer Alert that the department’s cold‑case task force has generated new leads after a recent fundraising effort and interagency work. "Everybody deserves justice. Everybody deserves a name for the unknowns," Stark said, describing the unit’s work with forensic genealogy and outside crime labs.
Stark said the task force’s recent fundraising dinner brought in about $250,000 to support investigations and that investigators have submitted roughly 350 items of evidence for DNA and other analyses. He credited collaboration with state and federal partners and private labs: "We use everybody. Everybody's invited to the table," he said, describing contacts on the East Coast and FBI support for complex work.
Beyond cold cases, Stark outlined operational priorities: the department is expanding its canine program with a patrol dog to be purchased primarily with private donations coordinated through the Friends of the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office; volunteer search‑and‑rescue dogs for trailing, water or cadaver work remain separate. He emphasized careful handler selection and training to ensure the new dog fits the agency’s needs.
Stark also described a recent officer‑involved incident in which the department’s armored tactical vehicle (BearCat, made by Lenco) was struck by gunfire; he said the vehicle’s protection likely prevented a worse outcome and called the Friends group’s support for equipment and bikes a significant offset to taxpayer costs.
On staffing and training, Stark said three academy cadets are expected to graduate early in 2026 and five additional deputies are already prepared to join the force, meaning about nine new officers will be added next year. The department is hosting a three‑part FBI leadership course and is evaluating technologies — including evidence‑processing tools and dictation systems — intended to speed report writing and improve efficiency.
Stark framed these investments as constrained by limited budgets and the need for durable purchases: "We have limited funds, so we want to make sure when we purchase something, it's not going to be replaced in 2 or 3 months," he said, noting the department’s recent strategic plan to guide 5‑ to 15‑year priorities.
The sheriff’s office did not announce any formal policy changes during the interview; Stark described ongoing assessment of tools and staffing and said the department will continue interagency cooperation on cold cases and training initiatives.
