The South County Operations Division is under the management of Commander John Maxwell and maintains three primary patrol stations each which are commanded by a Sheriff’s Lieutenant.
The areas include the Coastal Station in the City of Carpinteria, the Goleta Station located at Sheriff’s Headquarters, and the Isla Vista Foot Patrol Station located in Isla Vista adjacent to the campus of the University of California. A satellite office is located at the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta. The division is responsible for the geographic area from the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line to the Gaviota tunnel and from the Channel Islands to include the Santa Ynez Mountain range.
Due to response times, the South County Operations Division includes the Santa Ynez River Recreational area of the Los Padres National Forest. This division also has jurisdiction over Channel Islands National Park consisting of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa Islands. Also located within the South County Operations Division are two of our four contract cities, Carpinteria and Goleta. These two incorporated cities contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services rather than having their own police departments. The cities have contracted for law enforcement services that best meet their individual needs. Both cities have contracted for general law enforcement, investigative services, the City of Goleta has a School Resource Deputy and has augmented traffic safety contracting for a traffic unit consisting of four motorcycle officers; while the City of Carpinteria had augmented it’s services with a City Resource Deputy. The lieutenants responsible for the cities of Carpinteria and Goleta, respectively, also serve as the Chief of Police Services for their city.
Avoid. Deny. Defend.— Surviving an Active Shooter Event
SBSO X Feed
This event will not be livestreamed by the Sheriff's Office, however we will share a recording on our YouTube channel as soon as possible. We will also share a press release recap following the press conference. We are unable to field question in advance.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has major developments in the missing person investigation for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard. Members of the media are invited to a press conference:
⏰Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
📍 Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Headquarters
Press release and timeline here: https://www.sbsheriff.org/ashlee-buzzard-arrested-for-murder-of-daughter-melodee-following-discovery-of-remains-in-utah/
SBSO Instagram Feed
🔈Audio on for a BOL from our Communications Dispatch Center 🎅🏼👀
🔈Audio on for a BOL from our Communications Dispatch Center 🎅🏼👀 ...
🚨 Public Service Announcement: Text to 911 🚨
📍 Santa Barbara County, including UCSB properties
Call if you can. Text if you can’t.📱Dispatchers are available and ready to help 👩💻👨💻
A voice call is still the fastest and most effective ☎️
Text to 911 is essential for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired ♿
It is critical in dangerous situations where speaking out loud could put you at risk ⚠️
It can help during medical emergencies when you cannot speak 🏥
During major network disruptions, texts may go through even when calls fail 📶
📌 Tips for Using Text to 911:
Text your exact location so help can be sent quickly 📍
Use clear, plain language
Avoid emojis, slang, or abbreviations in your text
Send a one-on-one message. Group texts do not reach 911
Text to 911 is for emergencies only
📲 Text to 911- Help is just a message away.
🚨 Public Service Announcement: Text to 911 🚨
📍 Santa Barbara County, including UCSB properties
Call if you can. Text if you can’t.📱Dispatchers are available and ready to help 👩💻👨💻
A voice call is still the fastest and most effective ☎️
Text to 911 is essential for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired ♿
It is critical in dangerous situations where speaking out loud could put you at risk ⚠️
It can help during medical emergencies when you cannot speak 🏥
During major network disruptions, texts may go through even when calls fail 📶
📌 Tips for Using Text to 911:
Text your exact location so help can be sent quickly 📍
Use clear, plain language
Avoid emojis, slang, or abbreviations in your text
Send a one-on-one message. Group texts do not reach 911
Text to 911 is for emergencies only
📲 Text to 911- Help is just a message away.
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☕👮♂️ Join us for Coffee with a Cop in Orcutt!
The Sheriff`s Office is teaming up with Gina’s Piece of Cake for a relaxed, no-agenda meet-up on Saturday, December 20, from 9–11 a.m. Swing by, grab a free cup of drip coffee, and chat with the deputies who serve your community — including Community Resource Deputy Shawn Banks.
These casual conversations help us stay connected, hear what matters to you, and build stronger relationships one cup at a time.
📍 Gina’s Piece of Cake — 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt
🕘 Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9–11 a.m.
🍵 Free drip coffee for attendees!
We hope to see you there! #CoffeeWithACop #Orcutt #SBSheriff
☕👮♂️ Join us for Coffee with a Cop in Orcutt!
The Sheriff`s Office is teaming up with Gina’s Piece of Cake for a relaxed, no-agenda meet-up on Saturday, December 20, from 9–11 a.m. Swing by, grab a free cup of drip coffee, and chat with the deputies who serve your community — including Community Resource Deputy Shawn Banks.
These casual conversations help us stay connected, hear what matters to you, and build stronger relationships one cup at a time.
📍 Gina’s Piece of Cake — 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt
🕘 Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9–11 a.m.
🍵 Free drip coffee for attendees!
We hope to see you there! #CoffeeWithACop #Orcutt #SBSheriff
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🎓✨ Congratulations to Community Academy Class 25-2!
Over the past several weeks, this incredible group learned about everything from investigations and patrol operations to custody, communications, and the many specialty units that keep our county safe. 🚓
Programs like this help build a stronger, more connected community by opening doors, answering questions, and creating partnerships that last long after graduation. 🤝💛
We’re grateful for your time, curiosity, and commitment to understanding how your Sheriff’s Office serves you.
👏🎉 Great job, Class 25-2!
🎓✨ Congratulations to Community Academy Class 25-2!
Over the past several weeks, this incredible group learned about everything from investigations and patrol operations to custody, communications, and the many specialty units that keep our county safe. 🚓
Programs like this help build a stronger, more connected community by opening doors, answering questions, and creating partnerships that last long after graduation. 🤝💛
We’re grateful for your time, curiosity, and commitment to understanding how your Sheriff’s Office serves you.
👏🎉 Great job, Class 25-2!
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Today we celebrated four new deputies upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Academy! 🎓💛 Big congratulations to Deputies Durnin, Pursifer, Weber, and Woolley — and an extra round of applause for Deputy Woolley, who received the Leadership Award! 👏⭐
Today we celebrated four new deputies upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Academy! 🎓💛 Big congratulations to Deputies Durnin, Pursifer, Weber, and Woolley — and an extra round of applause for Deputy Woolley, who received the Leadership Award! 👏⭐ ...
🎓 Congratulations to Sergeant Jeff DeOrnellas on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! This milestone reflects his dedication to growth, service, and leading by example. We’re proud to have him on our team and look forward to the positive impact he’ll continue to make in our organization and community. 👏🚔
🎓 Congratulations to Sergeant Jeff DeOrnellas on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! This milestone reflects his dedication to growth, service, and leading by example. We’re proud to have him on our team and look forward to the positive impact he’ll continue to make in our organization and community. 👏🚔 ...
🎃👑 Three-peat CHAMPION! After taking home the pumpkin crown three years in a row, Jenn is officially retiring her paint brushes on top. 🏆🎨
This year’s winning entry? A perfectly painted Wednesday Addams—moody, iconic, and absolutely unbeatable. 🖤🕸️
Thank you, Jenn, for the creativity, the consistency, and the pumpkin legacy you leave behind. The patch won’t be the same without you… but we’ll try to carry on in spooky style. 🍂🧡
🎃👑 Three-peat CHAMPION! After taking home the pumpkin crown three years in a row, Jenn is officially retiring her paint brushes on top. 🏆🎨
This year’s winning entry? A perfectly painted Wednesday Addams—moody, iconic, and absolutely unbeatable. 🖤🕸️
Thank you, Jenn, for the creativity, the consistency, and the pumpkin legacy you leave behind. The patch won’t be the same without you… but we’ll try to carry on in spooky style. 🍂🧡
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🎃 It’s time to pick your favorite pumpkin! Our team got creative for this year’s pumpkin decorating contest — now it’s your turn to decide the winner!
👇 Vote by commenting the number or name of your favorite pumpkin below.
🕛 Voting closes at noon on Halloween (October 31), and we’ll announce the winner that afternoon!
#PumpkinContest #HalloweenFun #sbsheriff
🎃 It’s time to pick your favorite pumpkin! Our team got creative for this year’s pumpkin decorating contest — now it’s your turn to decide the winner!
👇 Vote by commenting the number or name of your favorite pumpkin below.
🕛 Voting closes at noon on Halloween (October 31), and we’ll announce the winner that afternoon!
#PumpkinContest #HalloweenFun #sbsheriff
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