Public Affairs

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department currently has a sergeant, four deputies, and two public information officers who are responsible for the dissemination of information to the news media, general public, and members of the department. There are two full-time employees assigned to handle all of the social media platforms and the website managed by the Sheriff’s Department.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintaining relationships with the press and the community
• Notifying the news media in a timely, fair, and impartial basis on matters of public interest
• Establishing procedures to notify all concerned news media whenever a major incident occurs
• Communicating with concerned personnel and investigators to ensure information is accurate prior to a press release
• Ensuring the legality of releasing or withholding information when applicable
• Issuing press releases

When Sheriff Floyd Tidwell oversaw the department, he started the Community Liaison Unit with the goal of fostering a better relationship between the community and the Sheriff’s Department. The unit’s mission is to be a conduit to pass information between the department and the public. The staff assigned to this team monitor and track incidents and activities affecting the department and the community it serves.

The unit strives to develop and maintain positive relationships, through open and honest communications with a variety of community leaders and organizations. We believe being involved on a “firsthand” basis within the community, allows us to better serve our community. The unit is also responsible for the development and implementation of cultural awareness training, as well as hate crimes and community relations training.

The Community Liaison Unit has been called upon by other law enforcement agencies, political officials, and other government entities, such as the Mexican Consulate, for assistance involving use-of-force incidents, hate crimes, rallies, and demonstrations. Since the inception of the Community Liaison Unit, the Sheriff’s Department has continued to move forward in building an open and stronger relationship with the public.

Labor Relations Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Establishing and maintaining a positive liaison with labor and management representatives and establishing and maintaining a positive liaison with related governmental agencies (i.e., National Labor Relations Board, Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Federal and State Department of Labor, and law enforcement agencies). The liaisons assure crimes evolving from labor-management disputes are investigated promptly and carried to their proper conclusion. They gather information regarding pending labor disputes from personal contacts and other sources including union, management, and governmental publications. Meetings are conducted with union and management representatives who are or may be involved in a labor dispute. Guidelines to prevent unlawful acts are discussed with both labor and management representatives to encourage self-discipline and strict control over their personnel. The deputies assigned to this team monitor picket lines in an effort to reduce or prevent dispute-related crimes.

The Honor Guard Detail is the official representative of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The main purpose of the honor guard is to honor and stand watch over deputy sheriffs who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The honor guard is also utilized for special ceremonies, events, and functions as designated by the Sheriff. The Honor Guard attend the funerals of all California peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. The honor guard participates in over thirty events every year.

The honor guard detail includes the color guard, rifle team, drum corps, bagpipes, and bugler. The detail consists of thirty-three sworn members consisting of sergeants, corporals, and deputies. An honor guard member is held to the highest standard in uniform appearance, professionalism, character, and dedication to the Sheriff’s Department. Each member is the epitome of a deputy sheriff.

The Sheriff’s Speakers Bureau provides speakers from our department who are available to speak on a variety of law enforcement topics at community events. All presentations will be limited to 60 minutes or less, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and require at least a three-week advance notice.

To schedule a guest speaker, begin by filling out the Sheriff’s Department Speakers Bureau Request Form. Complete the required information and click the submit button. The request will automatically be delivered to the Public Affairs Division – Sheriff’s Speakers Bureau. Please allow a week for your request to be processed and a department member will contact you.