





New Advanced Latent Analysis Class
Registration is Now Open: (CLICK HERE)
One of the pillars of modern criminal justice is forensic science. The members of our highly trained Forensics Unit work diligently around the clock responding to major incidents where their expertise and equipment is needed. This special team is critical in helping law enforcement solve crimes.
The purpose of the Forensics Bureau is to help establish what occurred and to identify the responsible person. The ability to recognize and properly collect physical evidence is critical to solving violent crimes.
The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Forensics Bureau responds to homicides and other serious crimes countywide. The Forensics Bureau staff is responsible for examining the scene of a crime, documenting the conditions present, and providing investigators, attorneys and ultimately the jury, with an accurate depiction of the locations and relationships of items located within the scene. They determine the relevance of items within the scene and the evidentiary potential of the items deemed potential evidence, as well as process the items of evidence that are not removable form the scene. The evidence is delivered to the lab for forensic examination, and a report is prepared detailing the actions taken at the crime scene.
The services offered by the Forensics Bureau include crime scene processing, latent print development, and latent print comparison. For further information or questions, please contact the Forensic Services Bureau at (805) 681-4100.
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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