KEVIN DONOGHUE
California Private Investigator License: PI 189757
Professional experience
Kevin Donoghue is a retired Sergeant with 33 years of law enforcement experience at the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. His career focused primarily on investigations, including background screening, computer forensics, narcotics, intelligence, and technical surveillance. He served on local and federal task forces, was cross-sworn as a federal investigator, testified as an expert witness in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California in Computer Forensics, and authored hundreds of search warrants. Mr. Donoghue trained academy recruits in terrorism and extremism, attended the Sherman Block Leadership Institute, and oversaw special projects involving grant proposals and spending. Mr. Donoghue served as a search and rescue coordinator for ten years, supervising rescue operations for people lost or injured in the wilderness backcountry.
As a Sergeant, Mr. Donoghue supervised the Background Investigations Unit (2016-2020), overseeing staff and approving all new hire background investigations. He also managed internal administrative investigations and served as family liaison for employee deaths, including two line-of-duty deaths. He modernized the unit's methods by implementing a cloud-based case management system later presented to California POST. Throughout his career, he has trained deputies, written evaluations, conducted audits, and authored policy. He is currently a member of the Southern California Background Investigators Association.
Outside of law enforcement, Mr. Donoghue is an avid motorcyclist and works professionally as a motorcycle pilot for televised events such as the LA Marathon and Ironman Kona. He is also a USA Cycling Race Official for both amateur and professional cycling. Kevin and his wife operated their own hospitality business in Santa Barbara for about eight years.