SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 8, 2020): Effective immediately and until further notice, Sheriff Don Barnes issued directives for decreasing potential COVID-19 exposure to the community and department personnel. “Our foremost responsibility is to keep the community safe,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “These precautionary measures will safeguard the health of the public who rely on our service and the members of the department who respond to their call.”

SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 10, 2020): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Custody Operations Division and OC Health Care Agency’s Correctional Health Services (CHS) have worked collaboratively to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the Orange County Jail system. Yesterday, two inmates in general population began exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive, the remaining individuals in those housing areas were tested. That resulted in 72 additional inmates in general population that tested positive for COVID-19. The total COVID-19 positive inmates today in the Orange County Jail system is 102, with 28 new booking inmates and 74 general population inmates. The vast majority of the COVID-19 positive inmates are asymptomatic.

Orange County, CA (December 11, 2020) – This holiday season, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the public about the importance of being safe and sober while driving.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 11, 2020): Please see the statement below from Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “We have received an order from the court in a case regarding COVID-19 in the Orange County jails. The order mandates a significant reduction of the jail's inmate population. We are evaluating the...

The windows were too dark to see in, but K-9 Remi knew what she was looking for was inside. The floppy-eared bloodhound sniffed the silver car then stopped, her nose pressed against the door. Her handler, Deputy Assayag, knew this meant good news. A patrol deputy used his flashlight to...

ORANGE, Ca. (December 18, 2020) –A 68-year-old male inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died this morning at 5 a.m. of medical complications after testing positive for COVID-19.

Two off-duty Sheriff’s Deputies’ quick actions helped save the life of a truck driver trapped in the cab of his vehicle after a roll-over crash. Sgt. Phil Cruz and K-9 Handler Deputy Adam Nauta were driving on the freeway in Artesia at about 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14, when...

MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (Oct. 19, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Thursday, October 22, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone...

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has deployed new proactive efforts to reverse the increase in drug trafficking that has been experienced within the four county-run jail facilities in Orange County over the last eight years.

In honor of National Forensic Science Week, the Orange County Crime Lab wants to educate the public on the many ways our work impacts the county and makes a difference in the life of the citizens we serve. We all know the importance of making a good impression. Lucky for...