This unit is comprised of highly trained special agents who are strategically assigned to various field offices across the state of California. Unlike traditional correctional officers or parole agents, the agents of the SSU hold the status of full-time peace officer, defined under California Penal Code Section The primary mission of SSU is to conduct intricate and comprehensive criminal investigations that focus on both current and former inmates of CDCR as well as individuals under state parole.
Their work involves meticulously gathering evidence, skillfully interviewing witnesses, and executing search warrants with precision. Through their specialized efforts, SSU agents actively confront criminal behavior that emerges from both the incarcerated population and parolees re-entering society. Among their array of responsibilities, the agents vigilantly monitor prison gangs, unraveling webs of criminal intelligence and enforcing stringent narcotics laws. Moreover, SSU agents stand ready to assist prison correctional investigators in challenging cases involving individuals who attempt to smuggle drugs or contraband into prisons.
Their relentless pursuit of justice ensures that the delicate balance between rehabilitation and public safety is maintained, reflecting their unwavering commitment to a safer society. SSU special agents hold a rank equivalent to that of a CDCR captain and strive to maintain a low profile and minimal visibility while carrying out their missions throughout the state.
The Special Service Unit was established in at the request of California Governor Pat Brown, in response to a harrowing eventβthe kidnapping of two Los Angeles police officers on March 9, The abduction and murder of one of the officers were carried out by two active state parolees, Gregory Powell and Jimmy Lee Smith also known as Jimmy Youngblood. Suddenly, the vehicle's occupants, Powell and Smith, pulled out their weapons, overpowered the officers, and forced them into Powell's car.
They drove out of the city, ultimately stopping in an onion field near Bakersfield, California. There, Officer Campbell was tragically shot and killed, while Officer Hettinger managed to escape, narrowly avoiding a similar fate. Following the incident, the investigation revealed significant challenges in obtaining timely and necessary information from the department of corrections, which was hampered by its size and bureaucracy.
