SANTA ANA, Ca. (May 2, 2024) – The Sheriff’s Department announced a new division that will bring together the department’s emergency communications, patrol operations and counter-terrorism efforts.
Commander Charlie Walters was promoted to lead the newly created Operations Support and Intelligence Division, which will include the Emergency Communications Bureau, Counter-Terrorism Bureau and Real-Time Operations Center.
“With an emphasis on providing real-time support to operations and bolstering our proactive approach to counter-terrorism efforts, there was a need to centralize these teams,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “This division will provide an innovative opportunity to address crime and serve our community.”
The Emergency Communications Bureau includes OC Sheriff Dispatch and Control One, which is the central point for all law, fire, public works and lifeguard agencies.
The Counter-Terrorism Bureau includes the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) and the Orange County Joint Terrorism Task Force (OC JTTF).
OCIAC provides information on criminal risks or potential safety threats to the community. It is a collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, private stakeholders and public entities to keep Orange County safe by detecting, preventing, investigating and responding to criminal activity.
OC JTTF is a partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to respond to potential terrorist threats. The task force investigates, analyzes and shares critical information to prevent potential terrorism violence in the Orange County area.
The Real-Time Operations Center is a new bureau currently being developed to employ a wide-range of technology and publicly available data to aid law enforcement response to crimes in progress or crimes that recently occurred.
“A lot of the work by personnel in this division is not something our community sees, but it is a critical component to their safety,” Commander Walters said. “I am proud to work with the many sworn and professional staff who are dedicated to providing leading-edge law enforcement services.”
The Operations Support and Intelligence Division was staffed and operational as of Friday, April 19.
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