Orange County Sheriff's Department

Thank you for inviting us to the Irvine Campus and for the opportunity to collaborate. Building strong partnerships between law enforcement, care providers, and community organizations is key to supporting the well-being of our community, and we look forward to continuing this important work together with Be Well OC.

Today, on MLK Day, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader whose vision of justice, equality, and unity continues to guide us at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Dr. King once said that, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” His words challenge us to look inward, listen outward, and work every day to build a community where every person feels safe and respected. Today, we focus on fostering positive change throughout Orange County.

Congratulations to the Graduates of the Emotional Freedom Program! On January 6, the Orange County Sheriff's Department recognized six participants who successfully completed the Emotional Freedom Program. In addition, two participants completed an advanced 12-hour training and are now certified as future program facilitators within the Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUMV). This participant-led program empowers incarcerated veterans to gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and behaviors. Through a curriculum centered on vulnerability, trust, accountability, and healthy coping strategies, participants develop skills that support personal growth, resilience, and emotional well-being. We commend these individuals for their dedication, courage, and commitment to positive change.

That’s a wrap on 2025! Thank you for being part of what made this year one of our best yet.

Earlier this month, our Inmate Services Division hosted a holiday card workshop for incarcerated individuals as part of PIVOT, a peer mentorship program for those in custody. The voluntary workshop provided incarcerated individuals an opportunity to connect with their families during the holiday season. About 70 people participated and the cards were mailed out to their loved ones. PIVOT is an innovative peer mentorship program created by the Inmate Services Correctional Programs Unit. The goal of the program is for incarcerated persons to serve as mentors, positive role models and program advocates. PIVOT promotes personal growth, creates a restorative jail community and incorporates positive deputy involvement. This helps promote successful reintegration into society.

We can’t believe this was Frankie’s final stop before heading back to the North Pole! For his grand finale, our favorite elf paid a visit to the Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL). 🎄🔬 Frankie didn’t attempt to crack any cases himself since his version of forensic work mostly involves dusting for cookie crumbs, but he did get a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous work the OCCL team handles every day. He learned that the Crime Lab provides expert forensic services to all Orange County public safety agencies, from collecting and preserving evidence to analyzing DNA and fingerprints. Frankie even found himself inside the Crime Lab van, checking out fingerprint analysis, ballistics testing, DUI kits, 3D imaging, and laser technology. After meeting the scientists, specialists, and support staff who keep everything running, Frankie had no doubt the OC Crime Lab earned a spot on the Nice List this year. ⭐ Safe travels back to the North Pole, Frankie!

Captain Matt Timmins has been selected as the new North Patrol Chief of Police Services, serving the city of Villa Park and the county’s northern unincorporated areas. Captain Timmins joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2007 and has worked a variety of assignments, including serving as a school resource officer, a field training officer, an internal affairs sergeant, and as the department's PIO. Captain Timmins was also integral in the development and implementation of the department's body-worn camera program. Congratulations to Captain Timmins! 🎉 Read more about Captain Timmins at ocsheriff.gov.

This year, our personnel teamed up with aMAYZing Kids and the Boys & Girls Club for two Shop with a Cop events. 🎁 The kids got to pick out the gifts they wanted for Christmas and Santa even made a special guest appearance! 🎅✨ Thank you to the Sheriff's Advisory Council for sponsoring these events🎄

This week, Frankie realized he’s been leaving a digital foot..uh..nub print all over the internet! So he rushed over to our Cyber Crimes Detail to tighten up his online safety. The team gave him a crash course on how they tackle phishing scams, ransomware, wire-transfer fraud, digital currency theft, and all the high-tech tricks used by modern-day grinches, all to keep Orange County secure. Before he left, they shared a few holiday cyber tips: 🤑 Beware of fake shopping deals: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. 🚫 Don’t click unexpected holiday message links: Scammers love sending “gift notifications” or fake package tracking texts. 🔒 Use strong, unique passwords: Even elves shouldn’t reuse the same password for everything (looking at you, Frankie). Feeling much more secure, and with his passwords finally updated, Frankie let the Cyber Crimes Detail know that they are on the Nice List this year.

Frankie! How’d you end up at the Coroner Division? 🤦 Frankie got a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work of our Coroner Division. From uncovering the truth behind unexplained deaths to helping identify individuals and supporting families during some of their hardest moments, this team handles every case with compassion, professionalism, and care. To no surprise, Frankie let us know the Coroner Division is on the Nice List this year. DISCLAIMER the skeleton is NOT real, this is an educational prop that our coroners use when they visit schools. 😅 More of Frankie’s holiday stops are coming soon!