The Sheriff’s Department hosted the grand opening of the new OC Sheriff’s Technology Center on June 27, which will bring three divisions under one roof for enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The 120,000-square-foot facility in Tustin will house the department’s Technology Division, Operations Support and Intelligence Division, and components of the Special Operations Division.

The Sheriff’s Technology Center’s grand opening also marks the launch of the OC Sheriff’s Real Time Operations Center, which leverages technology to improve public safety and response to critical incidents.

The Sheriff’s Technology Center is a state-of-the-art facility that addresses various incidents by combining real-time crime analysis with public safety resources such as emergency communications, federal partnerships, and technology.

“The heart of providing exceptional service is our people, but giving them the space and tools they need enhances their ability to protect our community,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner.  “We are driving a culture change in the way we utilize technology, and I look forward to seeing the solutions-focused ways we will prevent crime, solve cases, and improve the quality of life for our residents.”

The County of Orange purchased the building in June 2022. The facility is estimated to cost $110 million, including all security, audio/visual, and structural upgrades.

The Sheriff’s Technology Center will house the department’s Technology Division, which comprises six teams with varying critical roles. Their responsibilities include maintaining the county’s 800 MHz radio infrastructure, conducting information technology services, and providing technological vehicle up-fitting for more than 100 county agencies.

The new center will also house the Operations Support and Intelligence Division, which includes the Real-Time Operations Center, Sheriff’s Dispatch and Control One, and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.

As part of the Special Enforcement Bureau, the SWAT team and Hazardous Devices Section will also run their operations out of the Sheriff’s Technology Center in a space that can adequately support the bureaus’ personnel, tools, and assets.

In addition, the facility offers large training and meeting rooms, a media briefing room, collaborative spaces, and eventually, a museum space dedicated to preserving and honoring the Sheriff’s Department’s rich history.