Aside from patrol, traffic and investigations, the Bakersfield Police Department provides numerous special programs to assist Bakersfield residents with crime prevention. The K-9 Unit also provides demonstrations to various civic, social, governmental, and educational groups throughout the community. Nearly 5,000 people witness public demonstrations each year. The program operates in a highly structured and disciplined manner with academics intended to develop the maximum student potential. The JIP includes parent intervention, requiring parents to attend several components of the program with their children.
Detectives focus on specific crimes requiring expertise to properly handle the complex cases.
They network with community members and various agencies who deal with these crimes and conduct training sessions for businesses on business thefts, forgeries, credit card crimes and elder abuse. Crime Prevention Neighborhood Watch is a cornerstone of the Police Department's Crime Prevention public education and awareness programs. Bakersfield currently has nearly 900 Neighborhood Watch groups in the city. An annual D.A.R.E. Golf Classic helps support the D.A.R.E. outreach program. The Police Explorers are a group of youths who have an interest in entering the law enforcement field.