About the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department is organized into six divisions/units: Administration; Animal Services; Civil Division; Custody; Field Operations; and, Support Services. 

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department, “Located between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, the San Luis Obispo County Jail is a correctional facility operated by the Sheriff's Department. The primary function of the County Jail is to detain individuals under their supervision in a safe and secure environment that provides protection to the community. The jail serves all of San Luis Obispo County, and arrests are transported from city police departments, California Highway Patrol, and State Parks. Approximately 12,000 people are booked into the county jail each year for a variety of crimes ranging from alcohol related charges to murder. Inmates can serve up to one year in the County Jail, and are provided various programs to reduce criminal behavior, and to learn new job skills. Various educational and self-improvement programs, such as adult education, substance abuse prevention and computer training enhance the offender's reintegration into the community. Over the years as the inmate population has grown, the County Jail underwent several renovations. Various housing units, ranging from direct supervision units to dormitory settings can house up to 500 inmates. To keep the County Jail operational, it is staffed by highly trained correctional officers and other support staff who maintain a level of professionalism that provides superior service to the community.”

In addition to the custody services, field operations are organized into a patrol division and detective division.  “The Sheriff’s Patrol Division is responsible for the first line law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County. Deputies respond to calls for service, conduct proactive law enforcement activities, and perform initial investigations of crime. Patrol personnel are deployed from three stations throughout the county.

The Coast Station, located in Los Osos, is responsible for patrolling from Avila Beach to San Simeon and from the Las Padres mountain range to the Pacific Ocean. The North Station, located in Templeton, patrols from the Cuesta Grade to Camp Roberts and from the Las Padres mountains to the eastern county line. Located in Oceano, the South Patrol Station is responsible for patrolling all areas south of Avila Beach.

“The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department Detective Division is responsible for the investigation of criminal activity that occurs in the unincorporated county area and to investigate unusual and sudden deaths that occur anywhere within the County. Six criminal investigators assigned to the division conduct follow up investigations to criminal activity reported within the unincorporated county area. This includes all misdemeanor and felony crimes from vandalism to homicide. Two investigators are assigned to each of the three patrol areas of the county. These investigators follow up on crimes that require interviews, evidence collection or involve suspects who are out of the county. In addition to criminal investigations this unit also conducts follow up investigation for all missing persons reported to the Sheriff's Department, as well as spousal and elder abuse cases. This division has the responsibility to determine and document those responsible for criminal activity and prepare the cases for review by the District Attorney's Office for criminal filing.”

Source:

slosheriff.org/orgstructure