Glossary of Terms

Definitions of the following terms applies to their usage in this website.

CATCH

Computer and Technology Crime High-Tech Response Team - Formed in 1998 to help combat computer-related crimes such as network intrusions, computer hacking, theft of trade secrets, counterfeiting and piracy, telecommunications fraud, and theft of high tech related equipment and cargo.

CAU

Crime Analysis Unit - Focuses on the analysis of who is doing what to whom and in some cases who is doing what with whom as it relates to criminal activity in our county.

CHU

Central Homicide Unit - conducts thorough and objective investigations of all deaths and officer-involved shootings that occur in unincorporated Riverside County.

Cold Case Unit

Handles ongoing probes into unsolved murders which may have occurred as long as 70 years ago.

Contract Police Department

A police department within a Riverside County city that is staffed by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Coroner

Investigates and reports on all violent, sudden or unusual deaths of persons within the County as established by California law.

Crime Analysis Unit

Focuses on the analysis of who is doing what to whom and in some cases who is doing what with whom as it relates to criminal activity in our county.

Crime Scene Manager

The Detective assigned as the Crime Scene Manager works with a Forensice Evidence Technician and assists in recognizing and collecting evidence at the scene, attending autopsies and documenting the description of the crime scene in a report format.

Criminal Intelligence Unit

Collects, analyzes and disseminates information on the criminal activities of individuals, organized crime groups, emerging criminal groups, and public disorder and terrorist groups, suspected of being involved in the actual or attempted planning, organizing, financing, or committing criminal acts.

Forensics

The examination and analysis of evidence to determine the cause of an event such as a crime.

GIS

Geographical Information Systems, responsible for maps and the law enforcement data as it applies geographically within the county.

EOC

Emergency Operations Center - a command center for operations during emergencies or disasters.

HDT

Hazardous Device Team

JIC

Joint Information Center - Supports the gathering, verification, coordination, and dissemination of accurate, accessible, and timely information during incidents that involve multiple agencies. The JIC is a central location that facilitates operation of the JIS.

JIS

Joint Information System - the mechanism to organize, integrate, and coordinate information to ensure timely, accurate, accessible, and consistent messaging across multiple jurisdictions and/or disciplines, including the private sector.

MIB

Media Information Bureau - Provides information to print, radio, television and Internet media sources about Department operations and events.

MO

Method of Operation - often a unique aspect of a crime or criminal.

OIS

Officer-Involved Shooting - A confrontation between a sworn law enforcement officer and a citizen where physical or deadly force is used.

POST

Peace Officer Standards and Training

PSEC

Public Safety Enterprise Communication System

PSU

Professional Standards Unit - Conducts internal investigations regarding claims of employee misconduct.

RAID

Riverside Auto Theft Interdiction Detail - a multi-agency task force that was formed in 1993 and is currently operated out of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department under the direction of a C.H.P. Lieutenant and Riverside Sheriff's Sergeant.

RMS

Records Management System

ROVE

Riverside County Sheriff's Department Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Program.

SAFE

Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement

SERT

Sheriff's Emergency Response Team

SIB

Special Investigations Bureau

Station

A Sheriff's Department regional location. There are ten Sheriff's stations in Riverside County.

TSB

Technical Services Bureau, the Sheriff's Information Technology team.