Annual Report FY 2022-2023

SAFETY COMMUNITY SERVICE

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

annual report 2022-2023

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Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023

Our Community..................................................5

Message from Sheriff Barnes............................6

About Us.............................................................7

Sheriff Service Areas.........................................8

By the Numbers..................................................9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highlights for the Year.....................................12

Property Crime Reduction.........................12

City Partnerships........................................16

Drug Enforcement and Prevention............18

Custody Care.............................................20

Behavioral Health.....................................22

Human Trafficking.....................................28

OC Sheriff Cold Cases..............................30

Recognition and Awards..................................36

Financial...........................................................38

Community Partnerships..................................40

Sheriff’s Advisory Council...............................41

Join the Sheriff’s Department..........................42

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OUR COMMUNITY

Thank you to our community who continues to support us W e are part of the communities we serve, which is why connecting with you remains an essential part of the work we do every day. From small gestures of kindness to bigger, life-changing actions, we are grateful for these moments with our community.

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Thank you for taking the time to read our Orange County Sheriff’s Department 2022-2023 annual report. The theme of our report this year is “Safety, Community, Service.” Whether providing patrol services in our contract cities and unincorporated county areas, or ensuring the safety and security of those entrusted to our care within our jails, these three tenants are woven into every aspect of the ways we serve you. This annual report highlights programs and best practices tied to these primary responsibilities. I know you will be impressed by the innovative efforts our personnel are undertaking to keep you and your property safe. Simple actions like locking our car doors will have a dramatic impact as more than 60 percent of vehicle burglaries occur from unlocked cars. I encourage you to watch the video accessible from the QR code on page 14. Finally, I want to introduce to you our new department vision statement. We underwent an internal process to identify a concise vision statement that is inspirational and illustrative of the future we want to collaborate with you to create. After many iterations, we chose, “A community where every person feels safe and valued.” We are a part of many communities in our everyday lives, and have opportunities to make an impact on how safe and valued someone feels within those communities. We should all strive for our every action, big and small, at work or in our personal lives, to contribute to building “a community where every person feels safe and valued.”

MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF BARNES

It is our privilege to serve you,

Sheriff Don Barnes

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ABOUT US

From left to right: Assistant Sheriff John McCulloch, Executive Director Brian Wayt, Undersheriff Jeff Hallock, Sheriff Don Barnes, Assistant Sheriff Andy Stephens, Assistant Sheriff Cory Martino, Constitutional Policing Advisor Mary Izadi, Assistant Sheriff Jeff Puckett

Mission Statement

Who We Are 4,000+ Sworn & professional staff

The men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are dedicated to the protection of all we serve. We provide exceptional law enforcement services free from prejudice or favor, with leadership, integrity and respect.

407+ Volunteers

23 Divisions

Who We Serve 3.3 million residents in Orange County 13 contract cities, unincorporated areas, John Wayne Airport, Orange County Courts, Orange County Transportation Authority, harbors, beaches, parks

Vision Statement

A community where every person feels safe and valued.

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Core Values

Integrity without compromise Service above self

Professionalism in the performance of duty Vigilance in safeguarding our community

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NORTH

Yorba Linda

Orange Park Acres

Anaheim

Stanton

Villa Park

Silverado Canyon

Rossmoor

North Tustin

Midway City SHERIFF’S SERVICE AREAS OCTA

Modjeska Canyon

Mile Square

Bolsa Chica

Trabuco Canyon

John Wayne Airport

Sunset Harbor

Lake Forest

Rancho Santa Margarita

Mission Viejo

Laguna Woods

Coto de Caza

Laguna Hills

Aliso Viejo

Las Flores

Wagon Wheel

Emerald Bay

Newport Harbor

Ortega Highway

SOUTH

Laguna Niguel

Ladera Ranch

San Juan Capistrano

Contract Cities Contract Partners

Dana Point

San Clemente

Unincorporated Areas

Dana Point Harbor

Connect with us… The Orange County Sheriff’s Department and its contract cities have a presence on social media. Find your city by using the search function on each social media platform.

@OCSHERIFF

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ABOUT US

407 + OC Sheriff volunteers that include Reserves, Explorers, PSRs and Chaplains

1,897 Sworn Staff

1,699 Professional Staff

cost savings to taxpayers by utilizing volunteers $ 2,964,453

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245 recruits graduated

322 Patrol K-9 deployments

12 SWAT callouts

Reserves volunteered 33,204 hours

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We strive for excellence in the service we provide and the relationships we build with our community. In FY ‘22-‘23, we enhanced community safety through innovative policing, strong partnerships, tenacious investigative work and community engagement. In the pages of this report, we highlight some exceptional work throughout the year that reflects our commitment to creating a safe place for our community.

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PROPERTY CRIME REDUCTION

The OC Sheriff Mounted Enforcement Unit patrols trails in Yorba Linda

The San Juan Capistrano Police Services off-road vehicle proactively patrols trail areas.

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We are fortunate to live in some of the safest communities in the state of California. As your Sheriff’s Department, we take pride in providing policing services to 13 Orange County cities and the county’s unincorporated areas – many of which receive top safety rankings every year. H owever, legislative and policy changes over the last decade have made it increasingly more difficult for law enforcement to hold accountable those who commit crime in our communities. Reduced penalties and limited jail time for offenders creates a culture in which criminals re-offend and often with few consequences. This creates a challenge for us, but we stay innovative and adaptable with our community’s safety staying a top priority. In FY '22-'23, the Sheriff’s Department introduced new programs, expanded existing ones and reinvigorated community education in an effort to prevent property crime. Innovative patrols Communities that back up to trails and wilderness areas can be at an increased risk for home burglaries, so we committed resources and innovative patrol techniques to mitigate the risk. Across Orange County, deputies conducted saturation patrols and undercover operations to deter, and in some cases interrupt, criminal activity. Yorba Linda and San Juan Capistrano – communities known for their extensive network of trails and wilderness-adjacent housing tracts – also implemented patrols by the Mounted Enforcement Unit and deputy teams in off-road highway vehicles to discourage criminals.

PROPERTY CRIME REDUCTION

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Did You Know … Property crime is often preventable. In 2022, unlocked vehicles accounted for 60% of vehicle burglaries. Always remember to JUST LOCK IT

PROPERTY CRIME REDUCTION

Dana Point Police Services hosts regular Neighborhood Watch Block Parties to engage with the community but also educate them on important crime prevention topics.

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Education complements enforcement A community with consistent crime prevention habits remains the top deterrent for property crime in Orange County. Every service area in our jurisdiction saw expanded outreach programs and community engagement opportunities to educate residents on this important aspect of creating safer communities. In Dana Point, the Sheriff’s Department hosted neighborhood block parties to encourage resident participation in Neighborhood Watch and share important crime prevention strategies. Lake Forest conducted concerted crime prevention campaigns for retail and commercial areas in the city, and Rancho Santa Margarita expanded its Business Watch program for retailers. We commit to continue engaging with those we serve to ensure you have the tools you need to prevent property crime.

PROPERTY CRIME REDUCTION

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY The best defense against property crime is an engaged and educated community. Residents can find public safety information through our crime prevention program, Stay Safe OC.

Here are some things you can do right now to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of property crime.

Just Lock It - Make a habit of locking all doors and windows every time you leave your home and every night before bed. Don’t forget to lock the gates to your backyards and the door to your garage, too.

Keep it Clean - Make sure the areas surrounding your home are well-manicured and well-lit.

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Consider Security Systems - Invest in security measures, such as home video systems or alarm systems, as an added measure of security. Advertising these systems serves as a possible crime deterrent.

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CITY PARTNERSHIPS

Partnering for safer neighborhoods T he Sheriff’s Department in 2022 established the Neighborhood Initiative to Coordinate Effectively (NICE) to improve operations and communication with the cities we serve. We work with many city departments, including Code Enforcement, Parks and Public Works to ensure issues that arise are handled efficiently, providing elevated service for our residents. The program was established in Dana Point and in FY '22-'23 expanded to include all 13 contract cities. We collaborate with our city partners to identify areas of concern and quickly find a solution.

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CITY PARTNERSHIPS

We responded to 466,818 calls for service

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Drug education, prevention and enforcement efforts in Orange County continue to evolve as new challenges and trends emerge. We stay ahead of the changing landscape through proactive enforcement and expanding education efforts to reach our community.

Clockwise order: Hon. Maria Hernandez, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court, Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman from the UCI Center for Psychology and Law, Sergeant Brian Gunsolley and Sheriff Don Barnes speak at the Fentanyl Forum

Expanding our reach in prevention Above the Influence is a deputy-run program that helps students understand the impacts of substance experimentation and the risk of a one-time decision evolving into substance use disorder. In the 2022-2023 school year: 37 schools 3,000 students graduated the program Fentanyl Awareness assemblies reached 21,000 students and 1,200 parents participated

DRUG ENFORCEMENT AND PREVENTION Inaugural fentanyl forum educates, empowers

T he Orange County Sheriff’s Department hosted the first county wide effort to rally the community in the fight against fentanyl. The Fighting Fentanyl Together forum at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy drew more than 500 people to hear from law enforcement, clinicians and educators. Topics included statistics and trends, the biology of addiction and prevention strategies. Bolstering education with resources and remaining collaborative will help Orange County effectively address the fentanyl epidemic. “There is a point in life that we can pivot and implement positive change, and it can start here at ground zero in our own community,” Sheriff Barnes said. “We can give our children the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.”

View the Fentanyl Forum video by scanning the QR code

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Holding fentanyl dealers accountable A n Orange County man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of two victims. This marks the Sheriff’s Department’s first successful prosecutorial outcome in holding dealers accountable for their actions. The dealer pleaded guilty in December 2022 to two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Homicide investigators in 2021 began investigating all suspected overdose deaths in an attempt to build cases against narcotics dealers who continue to sell these dangerous substances in our community. Rainbow fentanyl in Orange County T his year, the OC Sheriff Narcotics Teams saw their first seizure of rainbow fentanyl after an extensive investigation into a suspect believed to be involved in the distribution of large amounts of narcotics. Their investigation resulted in pulling two kilograms of fentanyl powder, 10 pounds of methamphetamine and 15,000 “rainbow fentanyl pills” off our streets. The US Drug Enforcement Agency has warned rainbow fentanyl appears to be a method used by the drug cartels to enhance the appeal of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a deadly opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. We encourage everyone to educate themselves and others on the danger of taking any unknown illicit substances.

DRUG ENFORCEMENT AND PREVENTION

Read more about this case by scanning the QR code

WHY I SERVE

“I come to work knowing that substance use significantly increases a teen’s risk of being a victim of violence, dropping out of school, poor academic performance, addiction, accidental overdose, sexual exploitation, suicide, unplanned pregnancy, marrying too young, seeking unskilled low-paying jobs, committing crime, and having low employment stability. This motivates me each day to change this result.”

For drug education and prevention resources visit ocsheriff.gov/community .

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— Sergeant Brian Gunsolley Drug Education and Prevention

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CUSTODY CARE

Going ALL IN on inmate programs W e are proud of the comprehensive programming we offer in our jail facilities to help those in our custody better transition into the community upon release. The Inmate Services Division works hard to ensure we provide a variety of programs that include education, job skill enrichment, vocational training and life skills courses. In FY '22-'23, a new program was introduced to give inmates functional skills they need to be better prepared to enter the workforce post-release. All-In is an eight-week course in collaboration with Working Wardrobes to teach resume preparation, interview techniques, job search strategies and job retention skills.

39 the All-In Program Central Jail 17 22 from Theo Lacy Facility inmates graduated 10 classes provided in FY '22-'23 All-In from Women’s

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CUSTODY CARE

41,207 people booked into OC Sheriff jail facilities 3.9 million meals served to inmates 980 inmates with ADA needs were booked into the Orange County Jail The ADA Compliance Team conducts 40 weekly check-ins with ADA inmates per week

A gold standard in care T he Sheriff’s Department’s ADA Compliance Team serves as the gold standard in custody operations for how to care for those in our custody with disabilities. From intake, we provide individual assessments to determine what accommodations will be needed to ensure inmates with disabilities have access to the same programs and services as others in our facilities. A dedicated team works with inmates throughout their time in custody to make sure they are safe, have what they need and can effectively communicate with our staff.

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Care in custody W e continue to meet the challenge of the evolving inmate population we serve with compassion, innovation and professionalism. In FY '22-'23, the Sheriff’s Department saw the completion of two areas of inmate housing at the Intake Release Center as part of our comprehensive plan to care for those in our custody with mental health and substance use disorders. The changes include safety features such as security fencing, ADA-compliant housing and facilities that allow for effective group therapy sessions. With calming colors and photographic murals, the direct-supervision modules provide added security and services for those who may struggle with a variety of disorders or diagnoses.

Construction on the final housing area is expected to be complete in April 2024. When finished, the Sheriff’s Department will serve 441 inmates in our dedicated mental health housing units, which is a more than 300% increase in this specialized mental health housing for our custody facilities.

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

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Expanding our reach for those in crisis The Sheriff’s Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau (BHB) is specifically tasked to provide outreach to some of the most vulnerable populations in our community, including those with mental health disorders, those experiencing homelessness and those with substance use disorders. BHB deputies balance enforcement activities to keep our communities safe with connecting those in need with services. Through case management and follow-up services in partnership with certified healthcare clinicians, they serve as the experts to reach those in crisis. In FY '22-'23, the Sheriff’s Department received funding from the Orange County Board of Supervisors to add additional deputies to the team, expanding the opportunity for us to help more people and better safeguard the communities we serve.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

BHB contacted more than 1,500 individuals

experiencing homelessness

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Working together for safer, healthier communities

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

We partner with Be Well OC to better serve those with mental health or substance abuse disorders in our community. Be Well OC is a public-private organization that works to provide compassionate, accessible mental health care to every community in Orange County. When our deputies contact individuals experiencing crisis, Be Well is a valuable resource to connect them to services. Their campuses provide seven different types of programming, including crisis care and residential care, to meet the diverse needs of those struggling with a variety of disorders and diagnoses. Be Well’s goal is to provide a continuum of care for those in our community who need help, and provide that care with dignity and respect. We are proud to work alongside them to help create safer and healthier communities.

Be Well serves approximately 12,000 people a year

More than 7,500 people received mental health crisis services at the Be Well campus

“We know that any time we call OC Sheriff they will show up, and they show up quickly. There is a lot of respectful communication between the deputies and our clients.”

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- Dr. Lauren Brand Executive Director, Be Well Campus

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2,708 cases investigated by the Family Protection Detail

12,563 Harbor calls for service

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11,303 cases investigated by the Coroner Division

WHY I SERVE

2,459 DNA samples analyzed

“I joined law enforcement to fulfill a deep-rooted sense of purpose and duty to do what I can to help better the community and beyond. Since joining the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, I have found that I love how I am able to continue to share and pursue this purpose with my partners.” — Deputy Elvis Chen

920 Cases investigated by the Special Victims Detail

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Proactive and victim-centered: OC Sheriff remains dedicated to ending human trafficking

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

H uman trafficking may not look like you think it does, so it is important to understand what it is and what you can do to report it. No community is immune to the impacts of human trafficking, but we have dedicated personnel who work hard every day to identify criminal activity in our community, offer services to victims and hold offenders accountable. The Human Trafficking and Vice Unit is a proactive team that conducts undercover operations, investigates the proliferation of human trafficking online and executes demand-reduction operations. They are experts in their field and consistently see results from their relentless investigative work. In FY '22-'23, they conducted multiple successful investigations, which included rescuing eight victims who had been reported missing, including four juveniles. The team applies a victim-centered approach to these cases, which means partnering with service providers and nonprofits to offer every victim resources and support. Over the last fiscal year, the Human Trafficking and Vice Unit was honored for their work in the county’s largest multi-agency human trafficking enforcement operation — Operation Red Zone. The Orange

Human Trafficking cases 46 36 Felony Arrests

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Recovered juveniles

The Human Trafficking and Vice Unit FY ‘22 - ‘23 statistics

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County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) coordinated the first-of-its-kind operation in February 2021, which led to the arrest of 56 suspects and 16 victims recovered across Orange County. Intelligence Analyst Corrine St. Thomas-Stowers worked with 11 law enforcement agencies to devise a multi-jurisdictional plan to investigate human trafficking during the days leading up to and after the Super Bowl, an event known to draw human trafficking activity to the area. Our Human Trafficking and Vice Unit made 35 arrests and contacted eight victims, including one missing juvenile. The partnership between the Human Trafficking and Vice Unit and OCIAC positions the department as a leader in the region for addressing human trafficking. We remain dedicated to getting victims the help they need and delivering justice on their behalf.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

WHY I SERVE

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Traffickers may use violence, manipulation, false promises or romantic relationships to exploit their victims. Victims often have a difficult time identifying themselves as a victim and may not reach out for help. Let’s chat Online applications with chat features are today’s modern marketplace for human traffickers. This includes social media, gaming apps and messaging apps. Traffickers begin by building trust and identify a potential victim. They build a relationship over time and eventually use methods that may include threats or manipulation to convince their victims to participate in exploitive activities. It is important to talk to your children early and often about online safety and ensure you have age-appropriate safeguards in place on your child’s devices.

“As an athlete growing up, I learned early on that my love for what I do will impact my goals. With the work that I do in the county, I see so many parallels. I wake up every day loving my work and knowing, if I positively impact one case, one victim, assisting in the protection of people that may never know I exist, that my work has true purpose and that is an incredible privilege.” — Corrine St. Thomas-Stowers Intelligence Analyst

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Learn more about online safety by scanning the QR code

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OC SHERIFF COLD CASES

Giving victims a voice I nvestigators Lauren Felix and Bob Taft spend long hours poring over case files, working to make connections in cases that are decades old.

“It can take hundreds of hours of education and training to apply this technique,” said Investigator Felix, who has worked for the Department for 16 years. “It’s a combination of using the science of DNA with knowing how to track down a paper trail.” Investigative genetic genealogy first received widespread recognition in 2018 when it helped solve the infamous Golden State Killer case. DNA, and building a complex family tree to find connections, was how Joseph James D’Angelo was ultimately held accountable for the murder of 13 women across California, including in Orange County. At that time, the Sheriff’s Department partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to use investigative genetic genealogy on the case.

For them, connections can lead to answers.

Penned in dry erase marker on a large white board is the beginning of a genetic tree – a work in progress for a process that can take months. This technique, known as investigative genetic genealogy, uses DNA and historical documents to trace the stories of people whose lives are unknowingly intertwined. It takes meticulous application and immense patience, but the outcome could mean solving a crime that has long seemed unsolvable.

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OC SHERIFF COLD CASES

Now, our own in-house team – Investigators Felix and Taft — incorporates the technique on cases that are good candidates. It is their way, they say, to give a voice to the victims and remind their loved ones they are not forgotten. “When we solve these cases we don’t like to say that it gives the family closure because I don’t know that you can ever find closure in cases like these,” Investigator Taft said. “But it does gives us the opportunity to provide resolution for these families, and that is very important.”

What is Investigative Genetic Genealogy?

Investigative genetic genealogy uses DNA and traditional investigative techniques to identify victims or suspects in criminal cases. To use the technique, the case must have unknown DNA associated with the crime as a starting place. Investigators then use publicly available genealogy databases to build familial ‘trees.’ They use these trees to establish connections, similar to the way a historical researcher creates a tree to determine ancestry. The OC Sheriff cold case investigators have spent hundreds of hours of education and training to learn the technique and incorporate it into their investigations. So far, the team has solved two cases – one in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigations – and identified eight others as candidates for investigative genetic genealogy.

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Investigators Lauren Felix and Bob Taft

CGI rendering

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Genetic genealogy helps solve cold case T wo families found answers after nearly four decades thanks to advancement in technology and the relentless pursuit of justice by investigators. The Sheriff’s Department, Garden Grove Police Department and Orange County District Attorney’s Office in July 2022 announced that investigative genealogy led to the identification of a suspect in two 1980s homicides. On May 21, 1987, 23-year-old Shannon Rose Lloyd was found deceased in her Garden Grove bedroom. Two years later, on February 19, 1989, the body of 27-year-old Renee Cuevas was found near the El Toro Marine base. In 2003, a review of evidence by the Orange County Crime Lab determined both women were killed by the same suspect. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Department and the Garden Grove Police Department revisited their cases often, always pushing to find a new lead or new tactic to find answers. In 2021, the case was submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy team and a suspect was identified. Although the suspect had long been deceased, we are grateful for this new frontier in investigative technology and the opportunity to provide answers to these families. Despite exhausting all leads, both cases went cold.

OC SHERIFF COLD CASES

WHY I SERVE

“I wanted to reach out to you once again simply to say “THANK YOU!” The Cuevas family has the closure we need. Your hard work has paid off. My cousin can rest in peace.”

“In my assignment working cold cases, I am perhaps the final voice left to speak for those that can no longer speak for themselves, in cases that have been idle for decades. In service to those victims and their families, I continue in hopes of providing resolution to cases long forgotten.” — Investigator Bob Taft

– Renee Cuevas family member

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From the case files:

OC SHERIFF COLD CASES

The OC Sheriff Cold Case team routinely reviews old case files to identify ways to possibly generate new leads. They look to re-interview witnesses, incorporate new technology and work the case from a fresh perspective to solve the case.

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Learn more about some of our active cold cases by scanning the QR code

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4,323 hours spent patrolling OCTA Buses

Airport Police Services calls for service 10,443

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Provide security for Orange County courtrooms 149 690 Bomb Squad callouts

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I n FY '22-'23 the department began offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – a martial art that focuses on ground control tactics and self-defense — as a new training opportunity for deputies. Jiu Jitsu, which translates to “gentle art”, is quickly becoming a staple in training for many law enforcement agencies across the country. Studies have shown being proficient in the art form builds confidence, reduces uses of force and contributes to the overall wellness and mental health of peace officers. At the Sheriff’s Department, we are committed to providing more resources for our deputies so they have the tools they need to safely and effectively handle critical calls.

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Every day, our personnel do great work serving the community and keeping the residents of Orange County safe. Throughout the year, many of our employees were recognized for their exception al contributions to public safety. Here are some of the prestigious honors awarded to members of the Sheriff’s Department.

OC Sheriff Captain recognized for commitment to diversity and inclusion

T he Anti-Defamation League presented the prestigious Helene & Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate to Captain Joses Walehwa for his efforts to strengthen and revitalize the diversity training program at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.

RECOGNITION and AWARDS Captain Walehwa engaged faith and community leaders to create a more robust cultural diversity curriculum for the Training Academy, which prepares hundreds of peace officers to serve Southern California’s communities every year. Enhancements included panel discussions with representatives from the LGBTQ+ community, nuero-diverse communities, differently abled individuals and those with various faith backgrounds. The classes also participated in community field trips to various faith and cultural centers to break down barriers. By fostering mutual understanding and respect between diverse communities and law enforcement, new peace officers are better prepared to serve their communities.

Commander nationally recognized for community achievements T he National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) in FY '22-'23 honored Commander Virgil Asuncion with the Charles “Bud” Meeks Award for Deputy Sheriff of the Year for Merit. The award, named in memory of a previous NSA executive director, recognizes exceptional and meritorious work positively impacting the community. Commander Asuncion was selected for his long list of achievements in 2022 when he served as Chief of Police Services for Laguna Niguel. His accomplishments included developing and implementing a robust e-bike safety campaign, which earned him the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Public Safety, and employing a Flock Safety camera system, leading to the arrest of multiple subjects for various crimes.

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Technician internationally recognized for expertise S upervising Communications Technician Peter Jimenez received international recognition for his work as a supervising communications technician, ensuring the maintenance and programming of the more than 22,000 radios law enforcement uses in their work every day. In April 2022, he was named the Emergency Communications Center, Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International. Radio communication is a vital part of ensuring safe and efficient policing services in our communities. Peter supervises a team of technicians, installers and utility workers responsible for managing radio communications. In addition, he is responsible for developing radio code books for more than 40 partner agencies and training law enforcement on radio etiquette and usage. His work is a lesser-seen but vital piece of providing service to our communities. Stanton deputy leads county in vehicle recoveries T he Sheriff’s Department was honored to have one of its own claim the Auto Theft Advisory Council’s Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year for 2022. Deputy Eric Peevey was recognized for his tenacious and dedicated pursuit of stolen vehicles in the city of Stanton, recovering 41 vehicles that year and making 31 vehicle theft-related arrests.

RECOGNITION and AWARDS

Kindervision ‘Greatest Save’ Award I nvestigators Nick Bogdanovich and Mark Dent were honored this fiscal year for their dedicated work investigating some of the most heinous crimes that come across our investigators’ desks. In this case, their work led to the arrest of a suspect sexually abusing a juvenile family member.

When first conducting interviews, they believed the juvenile was trying to protect the suspect. They worked hard to build the case and collect additional evidence, which led them to learn the victim was not only being abused by the adult family member, but other adult men.

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Their dedicated work led to the arrest of the suspect, who now faces 27 felonies and three misdemeanors. Investigators Bogdanovich and Dent were recognized with the Kindervision Greatest Save Award for their tenacious and exceptional work on the case.

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FINANCIAL

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FINANCIAL

FY 2022-23 Sheriff-Coroner Budget

Sheriff’s Administration $3.2M

Professional Services $148.0M

Administrative Services $546.3M

Patrol Operations $220.6M

$ 1 . 36 billion budget

Custody & Inmate Services $259.4M

Investigations & Special Operations $181.1M

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“We are beyond grateful for the experiences we have had with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Their dedication to fostering positive relationships between law enforcement officers and young individuals is evident through everything they do. Seeing deputies at the Shop With A Cop event with our children with special needs was truly a sight to behold. The joy and excitement on the children’s faces were priceless, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the Sheriff’s Department personnel. Additionally when deputies came to our clinic, it helped our children feel comfortable and safe talking to the police officers and their dogs. The commitment to organizing such inclusive and community-driven events is truly commendable. ” “As a member of the OC Sheriff’s Interfaith Advisory Council, I am surrounded by like-minded faith community leaders who collectively promote community wellness and safety under the leadership of Sheriff Don Barnes. It has been a rejuvenating experience and speaks to the value of, “Together, we are better and stronger”. We have the opportunity to build relationships with law enforcement in a healthy manner, promoting conversations centered around respect, empathy and understanding. Sheriff Barnes leads with a commitment to protecting his team and those they serve.” “I have been honored to work directly with Sheriff Don Barnes and the OC Sheriff’s Department for nearly eight years. They are an incredible community partner. The Sheriff’s Department has consistently served our Special Olympics athletes by hosting TIP-A-COP fundraisers, MedFest events and OC Gavel Club meetings, participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, serving on the Orange County Resource Leadership Council, and supporting major events. A highlight for us all is when the deputies come to our sports competitions to hand out medals to our Special Olympics athletes. We thank you for your unwavering commitment.” – Stephanie Coe and Michelle Dilts, Co-Founders of aMAYZing Kids – Deana Helmy, OC Sheriff’s Interfaith Advisory Council

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

– Jennifer Lucero, Special Olympics Southern California

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SHERIFF’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

Supporting the mission, supporting our community W e are fortunate to have the support of the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council (OCSAC) to enhance the way we train, serve our communities and engage with residents. Every year, these dedicated members of our community raise funds to support programs that would not otherwise be funded. This year, we saw the opening of the Mobile Pistol Range, offering a transient space for deputies to more efficiently complete state-required training. OCSAC also provided Red Ribbon wristbands for Orange County, reinforcing the department’s drug education and prevention programs. Mainstays in the OCSAC-supported events for the year are the Medal of Valor and the Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial. Medal of Valor recognizes the exemplary achievements of personnel, sharing stories of bravery, courage and dedication. The Peace Officers’ Memorial brings together the Orange County community to honor and remember the county’s 54 fallen peace officers. OCSAC also looks ahead, raising funds for department needs of the future. This year, the much-anticipated Shoot with the Sheriff event raised thousands of dollars to go toward future needs. Donors joined Sheriff Don Barnes for lunch and law enforcement demonstrations, followed by a trip to our tactical range.

Learn more about the Sheriff’s Advisory Council and join their mission by scanning the QR code

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Sworn Personnel Deputy Sheriffs make a difference in our community by working to keep them safe and connecting with those we serve. We offer competitive pay with comprehensive benefits. Are you ready to make a difference in your community? our team. Consider joining the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. We offer competitive pay with comprehensive benefits, and you’ll come to work every day making a difference. Answer the call for service W e are a dedicated team of sworn and professional staff working every day to keep our community safe - and we’re always looking to add to

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT UP TO $ 10,000 PER YEAR

Deputy Sheriff 2023 Annual Pay up to $123,801

RECRUITING – JOIN OC SHERIFF

Professional Staff The professional staff workforce is essential to public safety here in Orange County. Many times they are not seen, but their work and dedication is tremendously important. OC Sheriff offers a wide variety of professional staff positions with competitive benefits. While vacant positions are always changing, we look to hire skilled individuals such as:

Plumbers Cooks

IT Specialists Dispatchers

Records Technicians Armorers Mechanics

Learn more or apply at OCSheriff.gov/join.

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RECRUITING – JOIN OC SHERIFF

A team of OC Sheriff marine mechanics take a break from working on restoring and repairing a Harbor Patrol vessel.

Inaugural Career Fair and Open House

T his summer, we held our inaugural Career Fair and Open House for the community to learn about our department and encourage prospective employees to apply. The event included displays from nearly every division in the department, highlighting the breadth of opportunity the Sheriff’s Department provides for both sworn and professional positions.

The family-friendly event also gave us an opportunity to talk about the work we do every day to keep our community safe. We look forward to meeting more of you next year!

annual report fiscal year 2022-2023

Check out the video by scanning the QR code

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of body-cam footage collected 132,329 hours

Items of property and evidence collected 66,742 Toxicology cases 19,890

1,125 Fleet vehicles managed

22,000 Radios maintained

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Orange County Sheriff’s Department

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

550 N. Flower Street

Santa Ana, California 92703

OCSHERIFF.gov