KCSO Sergeant Arrested Following Investigation by KCSO
January 22, 2026 – Kern County Sheriff's Office officials report that on January 19, 2026, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) became aware of unusual circumstances occurring at the KCSO Property Room. KCSO Command Staff reviewed surveillance footage and learned Sergeant Ryan Dunbier had entered the property room, which was closed due to the holiday, and possibly removed unknown items of evidence. A criminal investigation was immediately initiated into the matter, which was investigated by the KCSO Professional Standards Unit. Investigators obtained search warrants and coordinated with the KCSO Special Services Unit to execute the search warrants on January 20, 2026.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Dunbier’s residence and recovered three items of evidence that were determined to be drug paraphernalia, one of which contained a usable amount of suspected narcotics. After a thorough criminal investigation, investigators developed probable cause to arrest Dunbier, age 55, for the following charges:
- PC 135 – Tampering with evidence
- PC 460(b) – Burglary 2nd degree
- HS 11370.1 – Possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm
- HS 11377 – Possession of a controlled substance
- HS 11550(e) – Under the influence of a controlled substance while armed
- HS 11364 – Possession of paraphernalia
Investigators arrested Dunbier without incident and booked him into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Receiving Facility. His bail was set at $67,500 and he subsequently posted bail. At the time of the incident, Dunbier was temporarily assigned to an administrative assignment in the property room but was not on duty at the time of the incident. Dunbier has been employed with KCSO since 2001.
In addition to the criminal investigation, a concurrent administrative investigation is ongoing. Dunbier has been placed on administrative leave. For the administrative investigation, these allegations will be submitted to California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for an independent decertification review.
If anyone has any information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
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Source: Kern County Sheriff's Office
