The Orange County and Orange County Fire Authority Local Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies Orange County's natural hazards and presents a variety of actions and projects, proposed or in progress, that can help mitigate the risks these hazards pose. The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all local governments to...

Under general direction of the Sheriff, the Undersheriff is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the day-to-day operations of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. The Undersheriff oversees the Department’s 4,000 sworn and professional staff employees to provide exceptional law enforcement services to a County of 3.2 million residents. The Undersheriff...

Effective January 1, 2021, SB 384 transitioned California’s lifetime sex offender registration schema to a tier-based schema. SB 384 established three tiers of registration for adult registrants for periods of 10 years, 20 years, and life. SB 384 allows the registrant to petition the court for termination of their sex...

Trust between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the people we protect and serve is key to the stability of our community and to the safe and effective delivery of policing services. Sheriff Barnes and department personnel actively collaborate with diverse community groups and faith leaders throughout Orange County to...

Director of Emergency Services/Operational Area Coordinator The Director of Emergency Services is the ultimate authority for the County and Operational Area during and after emergencies. In emergencies involving earthquakes, tsunamis, civil disturbances, energy crises, nuclear power plant emergencies, terrorism and acts of war, the Sheriff-Coroner is designated as the Director...

North Investigations consists of general criminal investigations and in-custody court liaison crimes. The seven investigators assigned to this detail are responsible for investigating crimes committed in the contract City of Villa Park, all county facilities, county parks (including Irvine park and Mile Square park), and the following unincorporated areas of...

Crime Prevention specialists serve the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, and San Clemente. The goal of crime prevention is the deterrence and reduction of crime through active community efforts. Information is disseminated to citizens and local businesses to increase awareness. Neighborhood and Business Watch...

Below is a highlight video shown at the Medal of Valor Ceremony on April 17, 2025.

Sheriff Human Resources screens all applications to identify qualified candidates. After screening, the more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. Written Exam / Pre-Screen: (Pass/Fail) Those who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the written exam / physical agility test via...

The Orange County Crime Laboratory (OCCL) provides all law enforcement agencies in Orange County, California, with forensic evidence examination and crime scene response services to recognize, collect, and evaluate physical evidence from criminal investigations. The OCCL has grown from a one-man operation in 1948 to its present-day staff of 160...