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San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

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San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's Department
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Common nameSan Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
AbbreviationSBSD
MottoDedicated to Your Safety
Agency overview
Formed1853
Employees3,700
Annual budget440 million
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSan Bernardino, California, U.S.
Size20,186 sq mi (52,280 km2).
Legal jurisdictionSan Bernardino County, California
Operational structure
HeadquartersSan Bernardino, California
Sworn members2,000
Unsworn members1,200
Sheriff responsible
  • John McMahon
Facilities
Stations16
Website
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's Department (SBSD) serves San Bernardino County, California, which is geographically the largest county in the lower 48 states. SBSD provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of the county and contract law enforcement services to 14 of the county's cities, serving a total of 1,029,466 of the county's 2 million residents. The department also operates the county jail system, provides marshal services for the county superior courts, and has numerous other specialized divisions to serve the citizens of San Bernardino County.[1][2]

The Sheriff-Coroner is an elected office. However, when then-Sheriff Rod Hoops announced his retirement, the Board of Supervisors appointed Assistant Sheriff John McMahon to the position (effective December 31, 2012). The Board made the appointment after determining that a special election for sheriff would be cost prohibitive ($3.5 million). McMahon announced that he intends to run for sheriff in 2014. Mcmahon was also involved in ordering the murder of Chris Dorner and then lying about the events to the media even though the truth is on video and audio. Mr Mcmahon is an obvious coward.

History

When San Bernardino County was established in 1853, its first Sheriff was a Mormon, Robert Clift, who served until 1857. On January 12, 1856, a volunteer militia unit known as the San Bernardino Rangers was organized under the command of Captain Andrew Lytle to aid the Sheriff in suppressing raids by Indians and the gangs of outlaws like the Flores Daniel Gang that plagued the County.[3][4] Sheriff Clift left for Utah that year and was followed in office by Joseph Bridger who held the office until 1859.

Valentine Herring was next as Sheriff until the fall of 1860. Herring was replaced by Charles W. Piercey who held the office until he resigned in October 1860 to run for the State Assembly. Anson Van Leuvan served as Sheriff from 1860 to 1862. He had difficulties enforcing the law in Belleville and the other boom towns of the Holcomb Valley gold rush and with the turbulence caused in the County by the secession crisis and the beginning of the American Civil War. Eli M. Smith elected in the fall of 1861, was known for his pursuit of a gang of horse thieves who had been operating in the county for several months stealing horses made precious by the wartime need for horseflesh. On one occasion Sheriff Smith rode into an outlaw camp, recovering a herd of stolen horses and arresting three thieves. By the end of his term in office he had convicted 18 men of horse theft and sent them to prison. Sheriff Benjamin F. Mathews served from 1863 to 1864.

George T. Fulgham was Sheriff from 1864 to 1869. In September 1865 the outlaw James Henry of the Mason Henry Gang and his gang of rustlers, robbers and murderers were in the county, camped out near San Bernardino. Sheriff George T. Fulgham and his posse led by John Rogers (a gang member sent to town to obtain provisions and captured after drunken boasting), found and surprised Henry camped in Railroad Canyon, (then called San Jacinto Canyon), about twenty-five miles from town. At sunrise on September 14, 1865, the posse approached cautiously but Henry awoke and fired three shots, striking one posse member in the foot. Henry died in a hail of gunfire, sustaining 57 wounds. His corpse was taken back to town, photographed and his body was displayed to the public in Old West fashion.[5][6]

Some of the other men holding the office of Sheriff in the early years were, Newton Noble (1869–1873), J. C Curry (1873–1877), William Davies (1877–1879), John C. King (1879–1882), J. B. Burkhart (1882–1884), Nelson G. Gill (1884–1885), Edwin Chidsey Seymour (1888–1892), James P. Booth (1892-1894), Charles A. Rouse (1894–1895), John C. Ralphs (1902–1915), J. L. McMinn (1915–1918).

Members killed on duty

Eleven SBSD deputies have been killed in the line of duty. SBSD established the Frank Bland Memorial at its headquarters to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of San Bernardino County.[7]

  • Detective Deputy Jeremiah MacKay (35) EOW February 12, 2013. Deputy MacKay, a 15-year veteran of the Department, was shot and killed by former U.S. Navy lieutenant and ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, as MacKay and another deputy sheriff responded to a stolen vehicle report in the Big Bear Lake Seven Oaks region in San Bernardino County. Dorner abandoned the stolen vehicle and hid inside a vacant vacation rental cabin. When the two deputies approached the cabin Dorner reportedly ambushed the deputies with gunfire. Dorner seriously injured one deputy and mortally wounded MacKay. MacKay was life-flighted to a hospital and pronounced dead at 2:24 p.m. on February 12, 2013. The deputies were part of the multi-county search for Dorner.
  • Deputy Billy Heckle EOW January 1, 1960. Deputy Heckle was shot and killed while protecting another deputy in Bloomington.
  • Lt. Al Stewart EOW March 9, 1973. Lt. Stewart was shot and killed by an ex-convict who had just killed a CHP officer and service station employee in the Cajon Pass. Lt. Stewart exchanged gunfire with the killer, but was killed with the CHP officer's stolen revolver.
  • Deputy Frank Pribble EOW July 6, 1975. Deputy Pribble was shot and killed at a rest stop near Fontana after locating a suspect who had been involved in a domestic disturbance.
  • Deputy Clifford Sanchez EOW April 5, 1985. Deputy Sanchez was shot and killed during a robbery attempt in San Bernardino.
  • Deputy Donald Demuelle EOW July 31, 1986. He died when the helicopter he was flying in crashed into Lake Silverwood. The helicopter was attempting to locate grand theft auto suspects who were stripping cars in the area.
  • Deputy Keith Farley EOW April 12, 1987. Deputy Farley died from a cerebral hemorrhage after a kick to the head from a suspect while arresting him.
  • Deputy Russell Roberts EOW September 17, 1995. Deputy Roberts was struck by a vehicle while investigating a traffic collision near Needles.
  • Deputy Ron Ives EOW September 1, 2004. Deputy Ives died in Rancho Cucamonga while riding a motor unit when a citizen ran a red light and collided with him.
  • Deputy Greg Gariepy EOW June 22, 2005. Deputy Gariepy died in a traffic collision when responding to assist another deputy in Yucca Valley.
  • Deputy Danny Lobo, Jr EOW October 11, 2005. Deputy Lobo died in a traffic collision in Rancho Cucamonga while responding to assist another deputy. He was assigned to a motor unit.

Organization

The current San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner is John McMahon (formerly an Assistant Sheriff). When appointed in December 2012 McMahon replaced Rod Hoops, who replaced Gary Penrod who retired on January 31, 2009.

Serving below the Sheriff is the Undersheriff. As in most counties, the undersheriff is second-in-command of the entire Sheriff's Department.

Beneath the Undersheriff are two Assistant Sheriffs. One Assistant Sheriff is in charge of Operations and the other is in charge of Support (administration and logistics).

SBSD is organized into seven bureaus. Each bureau is commanded by a Deputy Chief.

The bureaus are:

Administrative Services Bureau

This bureau operates the following divisions:

  • Emergency Services- Aviation and Volunteer Forces.
    • Aviation provides services including general law enforcement support, surveillance, fire suppression, medical transport, and search and rescue duties. It operates 6 Astar B-3 Eurocopters, 1 Mcdonnell Douglas MD500E, 2 Bell UH-1H Super Huey II's, 1 Bell 212, 1 Sikorsky H-3, 1 Aero Commander Grand Reconnaissance, and 1 Cessna 182.[citation needed] Deemed the third largest, non-military air force in the world.[8][failed verification]
    • Volunteer Forces supports the 2,000 volunteers within 112 units in SBSD. These units include Reserve Deputies, Explorer Scouts, and Search and Rescue members. These people, working for free, donate and average of 500,000 hours a year to the county.[9]
  • Employee Resources- The personnel in this division participate in recruiting, conduct background investigations on potential employees, are responsible for payroll and benefits, and oversee the issuance of Concealed Weapons Permits.
  • Training- This includes the Basic Academy, the Emergency Vehicle Operations Center, the Advanced Officer Training Center, and Firearms Training Center.
    • SBSD operates its own intensive, structured format, on-site post certified basic academy in conjunction with San Bernardino Valley College. The program is 23 weeks in length.
    • The Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) provides driving training to entry level and in-service officers.
    • The Advanced Officer Training Center provides advanced law enforcement courses in a variety of topics to both sworn and non-sworn personnel.
    • The Firearms Training Center provides firearms training to SBSD and numerous other agencies in Southern California. Additionally every trimester SBSD deputies as well as several other county agencies conduct firearms qualifications, perishable skills, and other important training through the center's Range/Use of Force Unit.

Court Services Bureau

Detentions and Corrections Bureau

SBSD operates a total of 9 jail facilities throughout the county. The average daily inmate population is 5,600. In 2006, 107,606 people were booked into these jails. The bureau operates the following Type-II jails that are used for long term housing:[10]

  • West Valley Detention Center - This is SBSD's main jail facility and opened in June 1991. It is located in Rancho Cucamonga. It is used primarily to house pre-sentenced county inmates, and is capable of housing 3,291 inmates daily.
  • Central Detention Center - This facility served as SBSD's main jail since its opening in 1971. It is located in downtown San Bernardino. It is primarily used to house pre-sentenced county inmates and federal inmates, and averages a daily population of 930. The US Marshal Service also uses the facility as the west coast hub for transporting and housing federal inmates.
  • Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center - This facility primarily serves as housing for inmates sentenced to county jail. It also houses some pre-sentence inmates. It averages a population of 1020 inmates daily. It is located in Devore, at the north end of San Bernardino.
  • Adelanto Detention Center - This is SBSD's newest jail facility, which opened in January 2006. It is used to house approximately 700 pre-sentence inmates per day.
    • Victor Valley Jail- This jail facility is a Type-1 jail run by the Adelanto Detention Center. It is located at the Victorville Superior Court complex.
  • Transportation Detail - This detail operates 12 buses, 13 vans, and 2 cars to transport an average of 286,000 yearly, mostly to court appearances. In 2006, the detail accumulated 934,000 miles (1,503,000 km).

Field Support Bureau

Patrol Operations Region I

This bureau provides law enforcement services to the densely populated southwest corner of the county, which includes parts of the San Bernardino Valley, Pomona Valley, Cucamonga Valley, and the communities in the San Bernardino Mountains.[11] This area also operates a Type I Jail booking facility.

  • Big Bear Station - Provides law enforcement services to the City of Big Bear Lake, California, as well as the unincorporated areas of Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, Baldwin Lake and throughout the Big Bear Valley.
    • Big Bear Jail - This is a Type I Jail used for booking and court holding for the Big Bear Superior Court. It is located at the Big Bear Station.
  • Central Station - This station provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas around San Bernardino as well as contract law enforcement to the cities of Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, and the San Manuel Indian Reservation. The unincorporated areas include Muscoy, Devore, as well as parts of San Bernardino, Rialto, and Colton.
  • Chino Hills Station - This station provides contract law enforcement exclusively to the City of Chino Hills.
  • Highland Police Department - This station provides contract law enforcement services exclusively to the City of Highland, California.
  • Rancho Cucamonga Police Department – This station provides contract law enforcement exclusively to the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Patrol Operations Region II

This bureau provides law enforcement services to the large Mojave Desert portion of the county.[11] The deputies at many of these stations operate in remote areas. This area also operates 3 of SBSD's Type I Jail booking facilities.

  • Apple Valley Police Department - This station provides contract law enforcement exclusively to the Town of Apple Valley.
  • Colorado River Station - Serves the unincorporated areas at the east end of the county near Needles and provides contract law enforcement to the city of Needles. The areas include Big River, Parker Dam, and Havasu Landing. This station has a resident deputy sub-station in Havasu Landing. It also operates a Marine Enforcement unit that patrols San Bernardino County's portion of the Colorado River.
    • Needles Jail - This Type I Jail is used as a booking facility for the Needles area and court holding for the Needles Superior Court. It is located at the Colorado River Station.
  • Hesperia Police Department- This station provides law enforcement services only for the City of Hesperia.
  • Victorville Police Department- This station provides contract law enforcement exclusively to the City of Victorville.

Specialized Operations Bureau

Aviation

EC-120 of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, at Victorville, California.
SBC Sheriff's department operates a sizable fleet of helicopters. Shown here are a Bell 212 (foreground) and a Sikorsky S-61 at the air unit's Rialto headquarters.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department AS350 B3

Aviation provides services including general law enforcement support, surveillance, fire suppression, medical transport, and search and rescue duties. It operates the following aircraft:

See also

References

  1. ^ About SBSD
  2. ^ SBSD 2007 Annual Report
  3. ^ The California State Military Museum, California State Militia and National Guard Unit Histories: San Bernardino Rangers, written by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in conjunction with the Office of the Adjutant General and the California State Library, 1940
  4. ^ J. M. Scammel, Military Units in Southern California, 1853-1862, Reprinted from California Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. XXIX, Number 3, Part III San Bernardino Units
  5. ^ M. David DeSoucy, Sheriff Gary Penrod, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Arcadia Publishing, 2006. pg. 16. account of the Henry shootout.
  6. ^ According to the Los Angeles Tri Weekly News: On Sept. 14 1865 the sheriff with a posse of three soldiers and two or three citizens ran across Henry sound asleep near San Jacinto Canyon, 25 miles (40 km) from town and killed him after he made some resistance wounding one man. California Bad Men p.144-146
  7. ^ Frank Bland Memorial
  8. ^ SBSD Aviation
  9. ^ SBSD Volunteer Forces
  10. ^ SBSD Correction Bureau Webpage
  11. ^ a b SBSD Patrol Stations
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