Annual Report 2009 - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department

Office of the Sheriff
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is led by the elected Santa
Barbara County Sheriff-Coroner. The Undersheriff assumes command of
the department in the absence of the Sheriff. The Undersheriff is responsible
for directing the operations of all the major divisions of the department,
including law enforcement, custody and administration.
The Office of the Sheriff includes the Department’s Legal Advisor, Office
of Professional Standards, Public Information Office, Sheriff’s Adjutant,
and the Research and Planning Bureau. These offices report directly to
the Sheriff due to the nature of the duties and responsibilities involved.
Office of Professional Standards
The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) conducts in-depth and
unbiased investigations of citizen complaints and internally-generated
allegations of misconduct made against Sheriff’s Office employees.
Each case is evaluated by the Office of the Sheriff and then assigned to
the OPS. OPS conducts investigations to determine if violations of Sheriff’s
Office procedures, laws or policies have occurred so corrective action
can be taken or an employee can be cleared of a false claim of misconduct.
The purpose of this unit is to maintain Sheriff’s Office integrity
and instill trust with the community it serves.
Public Information Office
The responsibility of the Public Information Office is to serve as a liaison
from the Sheriff’s Office to the public through the media, and to facilitate
the flow of information within the department.
The Public Information Office includes Media Resources. Media Resources
enhances communication, not only within the department, but
also between the department and the public we serve. Additionally this
unit provides the public with information regarding dangers to their
safety, and making them aware of the facilities and services the Sheriff’s
Office provides. Utilizing video updates, Media Resources provides video
taped information from the Sheriff and other staff members to all department
personnel, sworn and civilian. These video updates, which are provided
as needed, communicate current operation plans, policies, goals
and objectives department-wide.
Research & Planning Bureau
The Research and Planning Bureau is responsible for emergency planning
and preparedness, mutual aid coordination, tracking and reporting
departmental recurring performance measures, conducting research on
topics requested by the Sheriff or Undersheriff, and the ongoing monitoring
of departmental projects, programs and initiatives.
Crime Analysis Unit
The Research and Planning Bureau includes the Crime Analysis Unit
(CAU). CAU is responsible for analyzing and identifying crime trends and
dissemination of that information to the appropriate division for crime
suppression and prevention.
Emergency Preparedness
Natural or man-made emergencies can happen quickly, without warning,
and have long-term consequences. The goal of emergency preparedness
is to save lives, prevent injuries, to facilitate recovery if an emergency
occurs, and protect people, animals, property and the environment. The
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Preparedness and
Planning Coordinator works to anticipate problems, propose possible
KEEPING THE PEACE SINCE 1850 8