Commander Brad Welch
![](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/WELSH-Brad_web-240x300.jpg)
Commander Welch began with the Sheriff’s Office in 1999 as a Reserve Deputy and has since worked as a Corrections Officer (Custody Deputy), Sheriff’s Deputy, Special Investigations Bureau Narcotics Detective, Supervising Senior Deputy, Sheriff’s Sergeant, and Sheriff’s Lieutenant. While he has worked assignments throughout the county, he has spent most of his career in the South County.
Commander Welch received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2007 and his Masters Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2017.
Throughout his career Commander Welch has been honored by receiving the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association Awards for Correction Officer Rookie of the Year for 2001, Deputy Rookie of the Year for 2003, Deputy of the Year for 2007, Supervisor of the Year for 2013 and 2014, as well as the Carpinteria Lions Club Peace Officer of the Year award in 2005. In 2015 Brad received the Unit Citation bar and both the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Medal of Valor and the H. Thomas Guerry Award for Valor for his involvement in the Isla Vista Mass Murder incident.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters
4434 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone #s (805)681-4100
Dispatch non-emergency (805)683-2724
Avoid. Deny. Defend.— Surviving an Active Shooter Event
SBSO Twitter Feed
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will host a National Night Out event in Carpinteria on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. This block-party event will be in the 800-block of Linden Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Read more here: https://www.sbsheriff.org/sheriffs-office-to-host-night-out-event-in-carpinteria/
Todas las Órdenes y Advertencias de Evacuación que quedan para el área del Incendio Lake están CANCELADAS a partir del martes 23 de julio a las 4 PM.
Todas las carreteras, senderos y áreas recreativas permanecen cerradas dentro de Los Padres Bosque Nacional Área de Cierre de Incendios.
SBSO Instagram Feed
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will host a National Night Out event in Carpinteria on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. National Night Out is a nationwide, annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, more caring place to live and work.
This block-party event will be in the 800-block of Linden Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sheriff’s Office staff including a K9 Unit, Custody Deputies and members of the Forensics Services Bureau will be there to mingle with the community. The Forensics team will be offering child identification kits that include fingerprinting. Carpinteria Fire, Carpinteria Public Works, and California State Parks will be joining us along with more being added each week.
![The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will host a National Night Out event in Carpinteria on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. National Night Out is a nationwide, annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, more caring place to live and work.
This block-party event will be in the 800-block of Linden Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sheriff’s Office staff including a K9 Unit, Custody Deputies and members of the Forensics Services Bureau will be there to mingle with the community. The Forensics team will be offering child identification kits that include fingerprinting. Carpinteria Fire, Carpinteria Public Works, and California State Parks will be joining us along with more being added each week.](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will host a National Night Out event in Carpinteria on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. National Night Out is a nationwide, annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, more caring place to live and work.
This block-party event will be in the 800-block of Linden Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sheriff’s Office staff including a K9 Unit, Custody Deputies and members of the Forensics Services Bureau will be there to mingle with the community. The Forensics team will be offering child identification kits that include fingerprinting. Carpinteria Fire, Carpinteria Public Works, and California State Parks will be joining us along with more being added each week.
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📢The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the upcoming Citizen’s Academy. The Citizen’s Academy is an engaging and informational behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara, hosted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Participants will engage in various topics including the history of law enforcement, criminal law, patrol tactics, and de-escalation communication. They will also participate in hands-on learning such as firearms instruction and active shooter scenarios. This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in law enforcement to learn more about our agency and this rewarding career.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Applications must be received no later than Friday, August 30, 2024. You can scan and email your application to citizensacademy@sbsheriff.org
The first class begins Thursday, September 12, from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. at Sheriff’s Headquarters. There will be a session every Thursday at 6:00pm, except for October 31 (Halloween), with a final meeting on Saturday, November 16, 2024, which will include a graduation ceremony. Sessions will be at various locations including Sheriff’s Headquarters, the North Branch Jail, and County Air Support at the Santa Ynez Airport.
You can read more about the Citizen’s Academy and find the application form on the Sheriff’s Office website- SBSheriff.org
![📢The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the upcoming Citizen’s Academy. The Citizen’s Academy is an engaging and informational behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara, hosted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Participants will engage in various topics including the history of law enforcement, criminal law, patrol tactics, and de-escalation communication. They will also participate in hands-on learning such as firearms instruction and active shooter scenarios. This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in law enforcement to learn more about our agency and this rewarding career.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Applications must be received no later than Friday, August 30, 2024. You can scan and email your application to citizensacademy@sbsheriff.org
The first class begins Thursday, September 12, from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. at Sheriff’s Headquarters. There will be a session every Thursday at 6:00pm, except for October 31 (Halloween), with a final meeting on Saturday, November 16, 2024, which will include a graduation ceremony. Sessions will be at various locations including Sheriff’s Headquarters, the North Branch Jail, and County Air Support at the Santa Ynez Airport.
You can read more about the Citizen’s Academy and find the application form on the Sheriff’s Office website- SBSheriff.org](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
📢The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the upcoming Citizen’s Academy. The Citizen’s Academy is an engaging and informational behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara, hosted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Participants will engage in various topics including the history of law enforcement, criminal law, patrol tactics, and de-escalation communication. They will also participate in hands-on learning such as firearms instruction and active shooter scenarios. This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in law enforcement to learn more about our agency and this rewarding career.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Applications must be received no later than Friday, August 30, 2024. You can scan and email your application to citizensacademy@sbsheriff.org
The first class begins Thursday, September 12, from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. at Sheriff’s Headquarters. There will be a session every Thursday at 6:00pm, except for October 31 (Halloween), with a final meeting on Saturday, November 16, 2024, which will include a graduation ceremony. Sessions will be at various locations including Sheriff’s Headquarters, the North Branch Jail, and County Air Support at the Santa Ynez Airport.
You can read more about the Citizen’s Academy and find the application form on the Sheriff’s Office website- SBSheriff.org
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Thank you to @maddcalifornia for all their efforts to prevent drunk and drugged driving within our communities. Last Wednesday, MADD recognized deputies, officers and prosecutors throughout the tri-county areas who have gone above and beyond to save lives by addressing drunk driving and removing impaired drivers from our roads. 👏🏼
![Thank you to @maddcalifornia for all their efforts to prevent drunk and drugged driving within our communities. Last Wednesday, MADD recognized deputies, officers and prosecutors throughout the tri-county areas who have gone above and beyond to save lives by addressing drunk driving and removing impaired drivers from our roads. 👏🏼](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Thank you to @maddcalifornia for all their efforts to prevent drunk and drugged driving within our communities. Last Wednesday, MADD recognized deputies, officers and prosecutors throughout the tri-county areas who have gone above and beyond to save lives by addressing drunk driving and removing impaired drivers from our roads. 👏🏼 ...
PLEASE WATCH: Train Safety PSA 🛤️
↔️ Always look both ways. Trains can come from any direction, at any time.
🚧 Only cross railroad tracks at a designated crossing. Designated crossings are marked by a sign, lights or a gate.
🚦If lights are flashing or the gate is down at a railroad crossing, wait for the train to pass completely and the gate to go back up before crossing. It is never okay to try and beat the train.
🚶🏽♀️Don’t be tempted to walk on or along the tracks. Trains are at least three feet wider than the tracks on either side.
🚆A train can take up to a mile to stop. By the time the locomotive engineer sees someone or something on the tracks ahead; it is too late to stop.
![PLEASE WATCH: Train Safety PSA 🛤️
↔️ Always look both ways. Trains can come from any direction, at any time.
🚧 Only cross railroad tracks at a designated crossing. Designated crossings are marked by a sign, lights or a gate.
🚦If lights are flashing or the gate is down at a railroad crossing, wait for the train to pass completely and the gate to go back up before crossing. It is never okay to try and beat the train.
🚶🏽♀️Don’t be tempted to walk on or along the tracks. Trains are at least three feet wider than the tracks on either side.
🚆A train can take up to a mile to stop. By the time the locomotive engineer sees someone or something on the tracks ahead; it is too late to stop.](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
PLEASE WATCH: Train Safety PSA 🛤️
↔️ Always look both ways. Trains can come from any direction, at any time.
🚧 Only cross railroad tracks at a designated crossing. Designated crossings are marked by a sign, lights or a gate.
🚦If lights are flashing or the gate is down at a railroad crossing, wait for the train to pass completely and the gate to go back up before crossing. It is never okay to try and beat the train.
🚶🏽♀️Don’t be tempted to walk on or along the tracks. Trains are at least three feet wider than the tracks on either side.
🚆A train can take up to a mile to stop. By the time the locomotive engineer sees someone or something on the tracks ahead; it is too late to stop.
...
Deputies joined Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church for a Safety Town demonstration yesterday. We had a great time sharing safety info with all the kiddos! ☀️🏘️🚓
![Deputies joined Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church for a Safety Town demonstration yesterday. We had a great time sharing safety info with all the kiddos! ☀️🏘️🚓](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Deputies joined Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church for a Safety Town demonstration yesterday. We had a great time sharing safety info with all the kiddos! ☀️🏘️🚓 ...
It’s graduation season 👨🏼🎓 and we want to congratulate our recent Custody and Law Enforcement academy graduates. 🎉 They will go from graduation straight into the work they studied and trained for 🌟🚔
![It’s graduation season 👨🏼🎓 and we want to congratulate our recent Custody and Law Enforcement academy graduates. 🎉 They will go from graduation straight into the work they studied and trained for 🌟🚔](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
It’s graduation season 👨🏼🎓 and we want to congratulate our recent Custody and Law Enforcement academy graduates. 🎉 They will go from graduation straight into the work they studied and trained for 🌟🚔 ...
🏃🏻♀️Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 🚓 Thank you to everyone who cheered us on and to our runners who proudly carried the torch in support of @sosc_santabarbara 🌟
![🏃🏻♀️Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 🚓 Thank you to everyone who cheered us on and to our runners who proudly carried the torch in support of @sosc_santabarbara 🌟](https://www.sbsheriff.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
🏃🏻♀️Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 🚓 Thank you to everyone who cheered us on and to our runners who proudly carried the torch in support of @sosc_santabarbara 🌟 ...