About Clifton Harris – Licensed Private Investigator in California

Clifton Harris licensed private investigator in California during early law enforcement career

A Private Investigator You Can Trust

With over 40 years of combined law enforcement and investigative experience, Clifton Harris is a licensed private investigator in California known for professionalism, discretion, and results. His career spans military service, sheriff’s department leadership, and private casework nationwide.

Biography & Career Highlights

Clifton Harris brings over 40 years of combined law enforcement, investigative, and community service experience to every case he takes on. His career began in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, where he developed discipline, precision, and a deep commitment to service.

Following his military service, Clifton joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and later the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, working in roles that spanned patrol supervision, homicide investigations, fraud detection, missing persons, and sensitive domestic cases. His work has impacted individuals, businesses, and communities throughout California and across the United States.

Over the decades, he’s worked in specialized investigative areas including:

  • School district investigations
  • Bank and real estate fraud
  • Divorce and asset searches
  • Business background checks
  • Missing persons and sensitive cases

 

In March 2020, Clifton appeared in ABC’s 20/20 episode investigating the murder of Eunsoon Jun, who vanished in 2002 and was later found dead under a pile of cat litter in her California home. The broadcast detailed the arrest of her live-in boyfriend, Larry Vanner, later identified as parolee-at-large Curtis Kimball. As part of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department at the time, Clifton provided investigative insight and context to the nationally aired program, which has since streamed on Hulu. Beyond law enforcement, Clifton is a retired criminal justice instructor, a U.S. Army veteran, and the publisher of the San Bernardino American News, where he continues to advocate for justice, transparency, and community safety.

Qualifications

  • Over 40 years of investigative and law enforcement experience
  • U.S. Army Veteran – Vietnam Era
  • Licensed Private Investigator (CA License #25694)
  • Graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
  • Graduate of University of La Verne -BA Business Administration
  • Extensive training in criminal investigations, background checks, and fraud detection
  • Former college and high school criminal justice instructor
  • U.S. Army

  • San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dept.

  • Homicide & Major Crimes Investigator

  • Criminal Justice Instructor

  • Owner San Bernardino American News

  • Licensed Private Investigator

  • Featured in ABC’s 20/20 Eunsoon June Murder Case

  • Featured in ABC’s 20/20 Eunsoon June Murder Case

  • Multiple Awards For Law Enforcement Excellence

  • Continued Community Safety Advocate & Cold Case Consultant

Mission

“My mission is to uncover the truth with accuracy and professionalism, while safeguarding the privacy and dignity of every client I serve.”

About page under mission

Vision

At the heart of Clifton’s work is a belief that every client deserves clarity, honesty, and results they can trust. His approach is grounded in:

  • Integrity – Acting with honesty in every interaction
  • Thoroughness – Leaving no detail unchecked Confidentiality – Protecting your privacy at all times
  • Service – Putting clients first, no matter the size of the case

Clifton’s vision is to deliver investigative services that empower clients with the truth, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence.

Values

SERVICE

INTEGRITY

CONFIDENTIAL

Thorough

COMMITTED

ACCOUNTABLE

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Awards

100+

Accolades

20+

Awards & Accolades

Clifton has been honored with numerous awards over the course of his career, including:

  • Outstanding Work Award – Victorville Station, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department
  • Outstanding Achievement in Law Enforcement
  • Certificate of Recognition – Rialto Toastmasters
  • Multiple community service honors for public safety and violence prevention initiatives

Mission Statement

My mission is to provide every client with investigative services that are thorough, accurate, and guided by the highest ethical standards. I believe that the truth matters—and that knowing the truth empowers people to make informed decisions, protect their interests, and move forward with confidence.

I bring more than four decades of combined law enforcement, investigative, and community service experience to each case I take on. My career began in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, where I learned the importance of discipline, integrity, and service. Those values carried into my work with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, where I investigated cases ranging from fraud and missing persons to sensitive domestic matters.

Over the years, I’ve held roles that required both precision and compassion: as a criminal justice instructor in high schools and community colleges, as a mentor to younger officers, and as a trusted investigator for individuals, businesses, and attorneys.

I’ve built my career not only on what I know, but on how I conduct myself—always with honesty, transparency, and professionalism.

As a private investigator based in California and serving clients across the United States, my mission is rooted in four guiding principles:

1. Integrity Above All Clients trust me with sensitive information, personal matters, and sometimes the most critical decisions of their lives. That trust is sacred. Every action I take is guided by a commitment to truthfulness and accountability. I will never cut corners, mislead, or compromise my standards for the sake of speed or convenience.

2. Relentless Thoroughness The smallest detail can make the difference between a case that stalls and a case that’s resolved. My investigative process is meticulous, using proven techniques to uncover facts that others might miss. Whether I’m verifying a business background, conducting surveillance, or reviewing complex financial records, I dig deep until the answers are clear.

3. Confidentiality and Respect I understand that many clients come to me during stressful, emotional, or high-stakes situations. My role is to handle each matter with discretion, protecting privacy at every stage. Information shared with me is treated as strictly confidential, and I ensure that all communication is secure and respectful.

4. Service to the Client’s Best Interest My loyalty is to my clients and their right to know the truth. That means presenting findings clearly, without bias or unnecessary complication, so clients can act confidently. I approach every case with a mindset of problem-solving and advocacy, putting my experience to work in ways that protect and empower.

Need answers you can trust?

Book a confidential consultation with Clifton Harris today and put experience on your side.