CountyofSB.org 
Commander Garrett TeSlaa
Commander TeSlaa oversees the unique Isla Vista Foot Patrol, which is staffed and supported by both sheriff’s deputies and UCSB police officers.
Commander TeSlaa began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2005 and has held assignments in patrol, court services, gang enforcement, community resources, media relations, criminal investigations, professional standards and many others. In 2022, Commander Te Slaa returned to the Isla Vista Foot Patrol as the bureau commander and has worked other assignments across the county including Carpinteria, Goleta, and Solvang, and Lompoc. Before coming back to Isla Vista, Commander TeSlaa served as the Chief of Police Services for the cities of Buellton and Solvang. In 2019, Commander TeSlaa received the agency’s Unit Citation for his efforts leading the Sheriff’s Office Underwater Search and Recovery Team in the recovery of the decedents from the Conception dive boat fire.
Commander TeSlaa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership from California State University at Northridge. He is also a graduate of the California POST-certified Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute
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
SBSO X Feed
The presentation in Santa Maria has been moved and rescheduled. Information is update on our website- linked here:
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a community presentation to share required annual military equipment reports with the public. More information on our website linked here: https://www.sbsheriff.org/military-equipment-annual-reports-community-presentation/
Sheriff’s Detectives Make Two Arrests During Internet Crimes Against Children Operation. Follow this link for more:
Sheriff’s Detectives Make Two Arrests During Internet Crimes Against Children Operation – 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
Torch Run 2026! 🔥 The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office was proud to join law enforcement agencies from across the region for this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting the Special Olympics. 💙🏃♀️🏃♂️
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, volunteered, and cheered along the route. Your support helps create life-changing opportunities for athletes throughout the year.
The miles may be behind us, but the impact continues. Thank you for helping us support the athletes and mission of Special Olympics. Together, we continue to carry the Flame of Hope. 🔥
Join us for a great meal and an even greater cause at Tip-A-Cop benefiting the Special Olympics Southern of Southern California Santa Barbara Region ! 🍝🚓
Come out to Petrini`s Italian Restaurant on Wednesday, May 27 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and let local law enforcement serve your table - tips collected during the event will help support year-round sports training and competition opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
📍 14 W. Calle Laureles, Santa Barbara
🗓 Wednesday, May 27, 2026
⏰ 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bring your appetite, your friends, and your support for an incredible cause! ❤️🍽️
🏆 Congratulations to Sheriff’s Lieutenant Christopher Gotschall and Sheriff’s Sergeant Sandy Frausto on being honored tonight with the prestigious H. Thomas Guerry Awards for Superior Performance by the Santa Barbara Citizens’ Council on Crime. 👏
Lt. Gotschall was recognized for his exceptional leadership and lasting impact on recruitment, retention, and organizational development within the Sheriff’s Office Human Resources Bureau. His efforts helped modernize hiring processes during some of the agency’s most challenging staffing years. His distinguished career also includes multiple commendations for bravery and service, including two Sheriff’s Medals of Valor and the California State Peace Officers Medal of Valor. 🇺🇸
Sgt. Frausto was honored for his life-saving actions during a missing person investigation in the Santa Ynez Valley. Using his personal knowledge of the missing individual and the surrounding remote terrain, Sgt. Frausto located the man in critical condition after an apparent overdose. His quick thinking, decisive action, and coordination of emergency response efforts were instrumental in saving the man’s life. 🚔❤️
We are proud of both honorees and grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and service to our community. ⭐️
Last week, Sheriff’s Dispatchers were recognized with @sbcfire first-ever Unit Citation Award for leading the successful training and transition of all fire and AMR dispatch services to the Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC).
Their leadership and coordination behind the scenes helped ensure a seamless shift for critical emergency services—work that makes a real difference in moments that matter most.
This week, we proudly recognize National Correctional Officers Week and honor the dedicated men and women who serve in our custody facilities with professionalism, compassion, patience, courage, and unwavering commitment. This week, members of our custody team were recognized by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors with a Resolution commemorating the week, and with a BBQ lunch celebration in appreciation of their service. 👏
As Sheriff Bill Brown shared in his message to personnel, corrections is a difficult profession that often requires staff to manage challenging and unpredictable situations with self-discipline and professionalism, while also helping provide incarcerated individuals the opportunity to change their lives for the better. He also recognized the many professionals who support our jail operations, including counselors, records and administrative staff, cooks, utility workers, and medical and mental health providers.
Thank you to all of our custody professionals for the remarkable care and service you provide to our community every day. 💙
#NationalCorrectionalOfficersWeek #SBSheriff
☕👮🏼 Coffee with a Cop is back in Goleta!
Join us on Tuesday, May 19 from 9–11 AM at McDonald’s in the Camino Real Marketplace for a relaxed, informal chance to connect with your local deputies.
No speeches. No agenda. Just conversation.
Whether you have questions, want to share concerns, or simply say hello, we’d love to see you there. Thanks to McDonald’s, free McCafé coffee will be provided for attendees.
📍 6900 Camino Real Marketplace Dr., Goleta
👥 Open to all community members
💚 Lighting Up Green for Mental Health Awareness Month 💚
This May, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is proud to join our community partners in the Light Up Green campaign, recognizing Mental Health Month and the importance of connection, compassion, and support.
You’ll see Sheriff’s Headquarters shining green as a reminder that no one has to face mental health challenges alone and that help is always within reach. Across the county, more than 150 locations are participating to show that together, we can create more good days for everyone.
We encourage our community to take part—check in on a loved one, start a conversation, and help reduce the stigma around mental health.
📞 If you or someone you know needs support, the Behavioral Wellness Access Line is available 24/7 at 888-868-1649.
#LightUpGreenSBC #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MoreGoodDaysTogether #SBSheriff
Custody Sergeant Jose Velasquez was recently honored with the Law and Order Individual Service Award from the Military Order of the World Wars—a distinction recognizing outstanding performance and exceptional service across law enforcement, fire and rescue, criminal justice, and public safety communities. 👏
Please join us in congratulating Custody Sergeant Velasquez on this well-earned recognition of his distinguished career in public service
