The Criminal Investigations Division, under the management of Commander Eric Raney, is divided into three bureaus: the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Special Investigations Bureau, and the Judicial Services Bureau. A Sheriff’s Lieutenant manages each bureau. The Criminal Investigations Bureau is responsible for not only follow-up investigations, but initial investigations on a variety of crimes from Kidnapping, Homicide, Sexual Assault, and other serious crimes that not only occur in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County, but also in our four contract cities of Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta and Solvang. Additionally, we will investigate “Officer Involved Shootings” not only involving Sheriff’s Office personnel but also for many of the other Santa Barbara County law enforcement agencies.
The Criminal Investigations Bureau has personnel assigned strategically throughout the county to allow for a maximum resource response deployment to any area within the county as a result of any extensive criminal investigation. This task force response and approach has proven to be very successful in all types of cases encountered by Criminal Investigation Bureau personnel over the past couple of years and has become the norm rather than the exception.
We are very much appreciative to the community in their not only reporting various crimes, but to their willingness to assist us in any way that they can. These many extra eyes and ears has been one of the primary reasons responsible for our recent success, we continue to encourage people who want to help but who wish to stay anonymous, to feel free to utilize our “Anonymous Tip Line” .
To provide an anonymous tip, please call our Anonymous tip-line at 805 681-4171, or fill out and submit the form below.
Remember, your involvement is what makes our jobs so successful and results in those who wish to violate the law to be held accountable for their actions, resulting in safer communities for all of us.
Avoid. Deny. Defend.— Surviving an Active Shooter Event
SBSO X Feed
Deputy Stabbed During 911 Follow-Up. Read more here:
Deputy Stabbed During 911 Follow-Up – Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
www.sbsheriff.org
Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of Over Two Pounds of Fentanyl and Arrest of Lompoc Woman. Read more here:
Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of Over Two Pounds of Fentanyl and Arrest of Lompoc Woman – Santa...
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
www.sbsheriff.org
SBSO Instagram Feed
Out in Cuyama, things look a little different. 🌄
Our Cuyama substation is staffed by resident deputies — meaning they don’t just patrol this community, they live here. They know the backroads, the ranches, the families, and the history.
In a rural area where backup can be miles away, relationships matter. And in Cuyama, those relationships run deep. 🤝
Small station. Big commitment.
Out in Cuyama, things look a little different. 🌄
Our Cuyama substation is staffed by resident deputies — meaning they don’t just patrol this community, they live here. They know the backroads, the ranches, the families, and the history.
In a rural area where backup can be miles away, relationships matter. And in Cuyama, those relationships run deep. 🤝
Small station. Big commitment.
...
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join Deputy Morrell, the new Community Resource Deputy assigned to Isla Vista, and Lieutenant Schmidt for coffee on Thursday, March 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee – 6560 Pardall Rd.
This informal event provides an opportunity for residents, students, and local business owners to meet with Deputy Morrell and Lieutenant Schmidt, ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about public safety efforts in Isla Vista. Deputy Morrell and Lieutenant Schmidt will also answer questions related to Deltopia and the revised noise ordinance.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join Deputy Morrell, the new Community Resource Deputy assigned to Isla Vista, and Lieutenant Schmidt for coffee on Thursday, March 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee – 6560 Pardall Rd.
This informal event provides an opportunity for residents, students, and local business owners to meet with Deputy Morrell and Lieutenant Schmidt, ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about public safety efforts in Isla Vista. Deputy Morrell and Lieutenant Schmidt will also answer questions related to Deltopia and the revised noise ordinance.
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Working together to keep our community safe. 🤝🔒
Members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County to provide facility safety training for their team. Trainings like this focus on practical strategies for recognizing potential threats, improving situational awareness, and strengthening emergency preparedness so staff feel confident responding to a variety of situations.
Strong community partnerships are a key part of public safety. By collaborating with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, we can help ensure the spaces where local youth learn, grow, and spend time after school remain safe and prepared. 💙
#SBSheriff #CommunityPartnerships #SafetyTraining #BoysAndGirlsClub
Working together to keep our community safe. 🤝🔒
Members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County to provide facility safety training for their team. Trainings like this focus on practical strategies for recognizing potential threats, improving situational awareness, and strengthening emergency preparedness so staff feel confident responding to a variety of situations.
Strong community partnerships are a key part of public safety. By collaborating with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, we can help ensure the spaces where local youth learn, grow, and spend time after school remain safe and prepared. 💙
#SBSheriff #CommunityPartnerships #SafetyTraining #BoysAndGirlsClub
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📚💚 Today, our team joined the students at @herewegrowelc Preschool to celebrate Read Across America with a special story time.
Moments like these are a great opportunity to connect with kids in a positive way and encourage a lifelong love of reading. Thank you to our friends at Here We Grow for welcoming us into your classroom! 📖✨
#ReadAcrossAmerica #CommunityConnection #SBSheriff #ReadingMatters
📚💚 Today, our team joined the students at @herewegrowelc Preschool to celebrate Read Across America with a special story time.
Moments like these are a great opportunity to connect with kids in a positive way and encourage a lifelong love of reading. Thank you to our friends at Here We Grow for welcoming us into your classroom! 📖✨
#ReadAcrossAmerica #CommunityConnection #SBSheriff #ReadingMatters
...
When tragedy strikes on our roadways, answers matter. ⚠️
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Response Team (SMART) responds to serious injury and fatal collisions with one goal: to determine exactly what happened. ⭐️🚓
These highly trained deputies use advanced investigative techniques including scene mapping, total station measurements, evidence documentation, vehicle inspections, and data retrieval from onboard vehicle systems. Every tire mark, debris field, point of rest, and impact angle is carefully analyzed to reconstruct the sequence of events with precision and professionalism.
Their work is methodical, scientific, and often painstaking. It can take hours at the scene and weeks of follow-up analysis. But for victims, families, and the courts, accuracy matters.
Behind the traffic cones and flashing lights is a team committed to facts, accountability, and bringing clarity during some of the most difficult moments our community faces.
#SBSO #TrafficSafety #CrashInvestigation #PublicSafety
When tragedy strikes on our roadways, answers matter. ⚠️
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Response Team (SMART) responds to serious injury and fatal collisions with one goal: to determine exactly what happened. ⭐️🚓
These highly trained deputies use advanced investigative techniques including scene mapping, total station measurements, evidence documentation, vehicle inspections, and data retrieval from onboard vehicle systems. Every tire mark, debris field, point of rest, and impact angle is carefully analyzed to reconstruct the sequence of events with precision and professionalism.
Their work is methodical, scientific, and often painstaking. It can take hours at the scene and weeks of follow-up analysis. But for victims, families, and the courts, accuracy matters.
Behind the traffic cones and flashing lights is a team committed to facts, accountability, and bringing clarity during some of the most difficult moments our community faces.
#SBSO #TrafficSafety #CrashInvestigation #PublicSafety
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*UPDATE: class is full- stay tuned for the next offering 📺*🚔✨ Ever wondered what happens behind the badge?
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for our Community Academy—a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara County!
👮♂️ What you’ll experience:
📜 History of law enforcement
⚖️ Criminal law & patrol tactics
🗣️ De-escalation communication
🧪 Forensic evidence collection
This program is perfect for community members who want to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office—or anyone considering a future in law enforcement. Get an inside look at what it truly takes to serve and protect our communities.
📅 Class Schedule:
🗓️ Begins Monday, March 2, 2026
⏰ Mondays from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. through May 4, 2026
📍 Primarily at the Lompoc Substation, with some sessions in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria
🎉 Graduation BBQ/Luncheon: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚠️ Space is limited and classes fill quickly!
📝 Apply by Monday, February 16, 2026
🔞 Must be 18 years or older
👉 Apply now at www.sbsheriff.org or email 📧 CommunityAcademy@sbsheriff.org with questions.
🚓 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and educational experience!
*UPDATE: class is full- stay tuned for the next offering 📺*🚔✨ Ever wondered what happens behind the badge?
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for our Community Academy—a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara County!
👮♂️ What you’ll experience:
📜 History of law enforcement
⚖️ Criminal law & patrol tactics
🗣️ De-escalation communication
🧪 Forensic evidence collection
This program is perfect for community members who want to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office—or anyone considering a future in law enforcement. Get an inside look at what it truly takes to serve and protect our communities.
📅 Class Schedule:
🗓️ Begins Monday, March 2, 2026
⏰ Mondays from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. through May 4, 2026
📍 Primarily at the Lompoc Substation, with some sessions in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria
🎉 Graduation BBQ/Luncheon: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚠️ Space is limited and classes fill quickly!
📝 Apply by Monday, February 16, 2026
🔞 Must be 18 years or older
👉 Apply now at www.sbsheriff.org or email 📧 CommunityAcademy@sbsheriff.org with questions.
🚓 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and educational experience!
...
Congratulations to Acting Lieutenant Neil Gowing (center) on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! 🎓👏 This achievement reflects months of intensive leadership training focused on ethical decision-making, effective supervision, accountability, and leading with integrity. We’re proud of Acting Lieutenant Gowing’s commitment to professional growth and thankful for the leadership he brings back to our agency and the community we serve. 💙🚓
Congratulations to Acting Lieutenant Neil Gowing (center) on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! 🎓👏 This achievement reflects months of intensive leadership training focused on ethical decision-making, effective supervision, accountability, and leading with integrity. We’re proud of Acting Lieutenant Gowing’s commitment to professional growth and thankful for the leadership he brings back to our agency and the community we serve. 💙🚓 ...
Congratulations to the 12 members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office who were officially promoted today 👏⭐
This ceremony recognized dedicated professionals from across the organization, including three key additions to the executive leadership team:
Undersheriff Brad Welch
Chief Deputy Kevin Huddle
Custody Chief Deputy Ryan Sullivan
Each brings decades of experience spanning patrol, investigations, custody operations, and executive command—strengthening the leadership of our agency at every level.
Also honored were newly promoted commanders, lieutenants, sergeants, and professional staff, whose leadership and commitment support our mission every day.
“These promotions reflect the caliber of our people and the rigor of the process,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Those who advance have earned the confidence of this organization.”
As they step into their new roles, these leaders are charged with upholding the values behind the word SHERIFF:
Service • Honor • Ethics • Respect • Integrity • Fairness • Faithfulness ⭐
Congratulations to the 12 members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office who were officially promoted today 👏⭐
This ceremony recognized dedicated professionals from across the organization, including three key additions to the executive leadership team:
Undersheriff Brad Welch
Chief Deputy Kevin Huddle
Custody Chief Deputy Ryan Sullivan
Each brings decades of experience spanning patrol, investigations, custody operations, and executive command—strengthening the leadership of our agency at every level.
Also honored were newly promoted commanders, lieutenants, sergeants, and professional staff, whose leadership and commitment support our mission every day.
“These promotions reflect the caliber of our people and the rigor of the process,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Those who advance have earned the confidence of this organization.”
As they step into their new roles, these leaders are charged with upholding the values behind the word SHERIFF:
Service • Honor • Ethics • Respect • Integrity • Fairness • Faithfulness ⭐
...

CountyofSB.org