SHERIFF_AnnualReport_8.5x11_041521_WEB

URAL
RIME UNIT
THE MISSION
OF THE RURAL
CRIME UNIT
(RCU) is to enforce laws and provide
investigative services focused primarily
on theft and property damage in the
agricultural communities and rural
industries. The Rural Crime Unit also
provides current and up-to-date crime
prevention techniques and strategies to
the farmers and ranchers of San Luis
Obispo County.
The Rural Crime Unit deputies receive
specific training regarding their role as
an RCU deputy. One RCU deputy is
assigned to each substation within the
Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction and
supervised by a sergeant who reports
to the Headquarters Commander. In
addition to specific training, deputies
are members of the California Rural
Crime Prevention Task Force and the
Central Coast Rural Crime Task Force.
Deputies attend meetings and training
on a regular basis and host the quarterly
California Rural Crime Prevention Task
Force Meeting once per year.
The Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Unit
hosted the quarterly meeting of the
State Task Force February 3, 4 and 5.
Some of the training provided consisted
of tours and presentations of the Cal
Poly Agriculture Facilities and a presentation
of the SmartWater CSI
technology implemented by the Rural
Crime Unit in September of 2019.
Rural Crime deputies typically attend
meetings held by the stakeholders of
the San Luis Obispo County rural
community. Those stakeholders
include the SLO County Farm Bureau,
Cattlewomen and Cattlemen’s Associations.
These meetings present the
opportunity to share information
regarding crime trends as well as gather
information that affects the diverse
areas of the ranch and agricultural
communities. It also provides the
opportunity to make crime prevention
recommendations, such as the
formation of a Ranch Watch group,
providing Owner Applied Number
programs (OAN) completing a Ranch/
Farm Security Survey conducted by our
Rural Crime Unit in conjunction with
Crime Prevention Unit. The distribution
and application of Smart Water CSI
forensic solution has become a key
element of crime prevention efforts.
Although COVID-19 changed many of
the Rural Crime Unit’s goals and
objectives for the year, Rural Crime
deputies continue their important work
of investigating agriculture-related
criminal activity. In 2020 the Rural
Crime Unit investigated approximately
168 cases. These cases included
vandalism of property and equipment,
theft of agricultural equipment, animal
neglect and cruelty and non-ag related
cases in patrol operations. In addition to
investigations, Rural Crime Deputies
responded to 1,026 calls for service
and made 384 self-initiated contacts
during the course of their duties.
With the promise of COVID-19
vaccines now on the horizon, the
Sheriff’s Rural Crime Unit is looking
forward to playing a role in getting our
communities back to a sense of
normalcy in the coming months and to
deliver effective and professional law
enforcement services to the farming
and ranching communities of San Luis
Obispo County.
42 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE