CountyofSB.org 
The North County Operations Division, managed by Commander Robert Minter, provides all law enforcement services for the northern unincorporated area of the county. The North County Operations Division is organized as two Patrol Bureaus, each managed by a Sheriff’s Lieutenant. This division is responsible for the geographic area north of the Santa Ynez Mountains, except for the Santa Ynez River Recreational area of the Los Padres National Forest. The eastern border is Ventura and Kern Counties, and the north is the border with San Luis Obispo County. The western border is the Pacific Ocean.
The Northern Stations Patrol Bureau manages patrol services for the unincorporated Santa Maria area with a station in Orcutt. A satellite office operates in the Cuyama Valley covering the northeast section of the county.
The Central Stations Patrol Bureau manages patrol services for the unincorporated areas of Lompoc from the patrol station in Lompoc Valley; provides contract law enforcement services to the cities of Buellton, Solvang and the Chumash Indian Reservation from patrol stations in Buellton, Solvang, and the unincorporated areas of the Santa Ynez Valley.
The Santa Ynez Valley is located in the central portion of Santa Barbara County. The Valley is unique in the County, with a “small town” feel where the beauty of the open range, vineyards and surrounding mountains are the backdrop for several small but growing communities. The Santa Ynez Valley is composed of the cities of Buellton (population 5,201) and Solvang (population 5,944) and the smaller communities of Santa Ynez, Ballard and Los Olivos. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Reservation and Casino are also a part of the Santa Ynez community. The total population for the Santa Ynez Valley is approximately 20,000.
Tourism, agriculture and the wine industry are the top economic producers for the Santa Ynez Valley. The city of Solvang and the Chumash Casino each record over three million visitors a year.
The lieutenant responsible for the cities of Buellton and Solvang serves as Chief of Police Services for those cities. The cities Buellton and Solvang contract for general law enforcement services and additional services unique to the needs of their community. Buellton contracts for a motorcycle traffic unit. The City of Solvang contracts for a Community Resource Deputy.
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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has been recognized by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services as a 2026 Honoree for Outstanding Contributions to Gun Violence Prevention. Read more here:
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Gun Violence...
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
www.sbsheriff.org
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting the death of a 79-year-old Santa Maria man who remained in Sheriff’s Office custody while receiving medical care outside of the Northern Branch Jail. Read more here:
Inmate Dies at Nursing Facility – 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
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☕👮 Coffee with a Cop is coming back to Goleta!
Join us for National Coffee with a Cop Day and spend the morning getting to know the deputies who serve the Goleta community. No speeches, no presentations—just coffee and conversation. Ask questions, share what’s on your mind, or simply stop by and say hello.
📅 Wednesday, October 7
⏰ 9–11 a.m.
📍 Marketplace McDonald’s
6900 Camino Real Marketplace Dr., Goleta
☕ Free McCafé coffee, courtesy of McDonald’s!
We hope to see you there!
#CoffeeWithACop #NationalCoffeeWithACopDay #Goleta #GoletaPolice #SBSheriff #CommunityPolicing
Great weekend at Los Alamos Old Days! 🤠
Our Sheriff’s Office team had a great time joining the parade and seeing so many families, friends and neighbors lining the streets of Los Alamos. From our historic patrol car to ATVs and the BearCat, we enjoyed sharing a little bit of Sheriff’s Office history—and some of the equipment our teams use today.
Thank you to the Los Alamos community for the waves, smiles and warm welcome. We’re always grateful for the opportunity to be part of the communities we serve. 💚⭐
Small but mighty. 🔬🧬🔎
This National Forensic Science Week, we’re celebrating the small team that does some seriously detailed work behind the scenes.
From late-night callouts and long hours processing evidence to meticulous work in the lab, our Forensics Team brings professionalism, expertise and dedication to every scene. And when you spend that many hours working side-by-side, coworkers have a way of becoming friends.
Thank you to our Forensics Team for the skill, patience and teamwork you bring to the Sheriff’s Office every day — and every night the phone rings. 💚
#NationalForensicScienceWeek #ForensicScience #Forensics #SBSheriff #Teamwork
Deputies joined members of the Armed Forces for the ceremonial coin toss at tonight’s Dos Pueblos High School football game. Thank you, Dos Pueblos, for honoring our military service members and local law enforcement! 🇺🇸🏈
National Police Woman Day — Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Today, we honor the women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office — the women who wear the badge, serve our communities, lead from the front, and set the standard for professionalism in public safety.
We also honor the women behind the badge — the dispatchers, analysts, technicians, professional staff, and family members whose strength, skill, and support make our mission possible every single day.
Their impact is felt in every division: patrol, investigations, custody, coroner, search and rescue, forensics, behavioral sciences, community outreach, and the countless roles that keep this organization moving forward.
To every woman who serves, supports, and stands with the Sheriff’s Office — thank you for your dedication, your leadership, and your commitment to Santa Barbara County.
National Night Out was a great reminder of what makes Santa Barbara County special—strong partnerships, great conversations, and communities that come together. 🚔🌙
From bubbles and smiles in Santa Barbara to “magic hands” in Lompoc, we loved spending the evening connecting with residents, answering questions, and meeting so many families. 🫧 🪄✋🏼
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, said hello, and helped make National Night Out another memorable evening. We appreciate the opportunity to build relationships that make our communities stronger and safer every day.
Congratulations to Sergeant Kemp on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI)!
Over the course of this intensive program, Sgt. Kemp strengthened the leadership skills, decision-making, and professional development that help build stronger teams and better serve our community. We are proud to see our leaders continue investing in their growth and bringing that knowledge back to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Please join us in congratulating Sgt. Kemp on this well-earned achievement! 👏🎓💚💛
☕ Coffee, conversation, and community ☕
Join us this Saturday, July 11 from 9–11 a.m. at Gina’s Piece of Cake in Orcutt for Coffee with the Crew!
Stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and spend the morning with your Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies and County Fire firefighters. No speeches, no agenda — just a chance to ask questions, share what’s on your mind, or simply say hello.
We hope to see you there! ☕🚒⭐️
