The Bank Robbery Apprehension Team (B.R.A.T.)
The Bank Robbery Apprehension Team (B.R.A.T.) is a federal program based in the Santa Ana F.B.I. Office. The mission of the unit is to identify and arrest bank robbery suspects for crimes committed throughout Orange County. The Orange County Sheriffs Department is the only local law enforcement agency that provides BRAT with personnel.
The primary responsibility of the investigator assigned to this position is to function as the liaison between the federal and local agencies.
The investigator responds to crime scenes, interviews witnesses, and works within the federal and local systems to obtain criminal complaints and arrest warrants.
For more information please visit the FBI's Bank Robber's website.
Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.)
Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) is a multi-agency, multi jurisdictional Federal Task Force that investigates the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Formed in 1995, with one (1) Sheriff’s investigator as a member, the team's primary responsibility is identifying and investigating subjects who are utilizing the internet to meet children for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity; and to identify and investigate individuals who possess, produce, or distribute child pornography.
The continued success of the SAFE team is attributed to the continued participation of local, state, and federal investigators who render jurisdictional disputes mute, and effectively coordinate joint investigations with the common goal of protecting our community's children.
Fugitive Warrants
The Fugitive Warrant Detail currently consists of two Investigative Assistants. The North Investigation Detail’s sergeant is the direct supervisor for this detail.
The primary functions of the Investigative Assistants are to process extraditions and renditions, and to process and serve Governor’s Warrants.
Extraditions consist of transporting Orange County fugitives back to Orange County who have been arrested out of state. This involves arranging transportation of the fugitive back to Orange County by obtaining the warrant, making travel arrangements for the personnel picking up the fugitive, processing the appropriate paperwork for felony filing on escapees, and submitting the appropriate paperwork to the state for reimbursement.
The investigative assistants also process renditions, which are fugitives from other states taken into custody in Orange County. A rendition consists of preparing the court paperwork for filing fugitive charges against the prisoner and coordinating the transfer of the fugitive from Orange County to the demanding state. It should be noted that the fugitive’s arrest is not an execution of the demanding state’s arrest warrant.
A governor’s rendition warrant is an original warrant of arrest and supersedes any existing fugitive warrant issued. This process begins when a fugitive refuses to sign a waiver to go back to the demanding state. This warrant is served on the fugitive whether or not he/she is in custody and is then taken into actual custody.
