Assistant Sheriff Rob Ahern joined the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in 1980.  In 2008, he was appointed Assistant Sheriff of the Human Resource Services Bureau.

As Deputy Sheriff, Ahern was assigned to the Vista Detention Facility, Encinitas Station, and Special Enforcement Detail.

In 1992, Ahern was promoted to Sergeant and served at the Central Detention Facility.  In 1994, he was assigned to the Vista Station.  He worked as a patrol sergeant, Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) and detective sergeant.

In 1997, Ahern was promoted to Lieutenant.  He was assigned to the Central Detention Facility and later to the San Diego Central Jail when it first opened.  In 2001, he was transferred to the San Marcos Station where he served as  Field Lieutenant.  In 2002, he was transferred to the COPPS Administrative Unit.  He was responsible for managing the department’s community policing efforts as well as crime prevention, crime analysis, volunteer and chaplaincy services.

In 2003, Ahern was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Vista Detention Facility where he served as Facility Commander.  In 2004, he was transferred to the Vista Station.  In 2006, he was transferred to the Emergency Services Division where he oversaw the operations of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit (ASTREA), SWAT Team, Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement Reserves, Bomb-Arson Unit, and Emergency Planning Detail.

In 2006, Ahern was promoted to Sheriff’s Commander and assigned to the Law Enforcement Services Bureau.  He oversaw the Lemon Grove, Santee, Imperial Beach and Alpine stations, Rural Enforcement Division, Emergency Services Division, and COPPS Administrative Unit.  

Ahern currently serves on the Board of Directors of San Diego County Crime Stoppers.

Assistant Sheriff Ahern holds a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.  Ahern is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police and LEAD San Diego.  Prior to joining the department, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps.