The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has
provided contract law enforcement services to the City
of San Marcos since its incorporation in 1963. The
station has a total service area of over 100 square
miles, which encompasses the City of San Marcos and the
surrounding unincorporated areas of San Marcos and
Escondido. We currently provide public safety services
to a population of more than 111,000 residents.
PATROL
The patrol deputies are responsible for all general law enforcement calls for services, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Patrol deputies respond to calls for service with the focus on protecting life, apprehending law violators and investigation of
crimes. Patrol deputies are assigned to a geographical “beat” area. This allows the patrol deputies to become familiar with
citizens and problems within their “beats”. Patrol Deputies are also proactive in enforcing the laws to suppress drug activity,
theft and burglaries and gang related crimes.
The station has the only ASTREA (Sheriff’s Aviation) landing pad at a patrol station, allowing north county deputies to have
extended helicopter coverage for law enforcement operations.
In keeping with the Department’s mission statement of working in partnership with the community, the County of San Diego’s
Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Juvenile Probation personnel also operate out of the San Marcos Station.
We strive to improve service to our residents and welcome community partnership in our common mission - continuous improvement
in the quality of life for all our residents and businesses.
DETECTIVES
The Detective Unit is responsible for investigating general crimes against people, property crimes and arrest made by patrol deputies.
The following is a general list of crimes investigated by the Detective Unit.
▪ Theft and burglaries
▪ Physical assaults (excluding homicides)
▪ Sexual assaults
▪ Vandalism
▪ Domestic violence
After a Detective is assigned a case, he/she will determine that there is enough evidence to prove a specific person or persons
committed the crime and forward the case to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s Office will review the case
and determine if the case is suitable for criminal prosecution.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has specialized detective units to handle specific crimes such as homicides, bomb/arson,
financial crimes, child abuse and narcotics.
C.O.P.P.S. / SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving deputies are special purpose deputies assigned to investigate the quality of life issues
within the community. COPPS deputies utilize the COPPS philosophy to promote quality interaction between law enforcement and neighborhood citizens.
COPPS deputies also conduct directed patrols focusing on gangs, persons on parole/probation, persons with outstanding warrants, graffiti, human trafficking,
prostitution, habitual offenders, transient camps and alcohol/tobacco related crimes.
COPPS deputies are also active within the community by attending Neighborhood Watch meetings and providing various presentations to youth
groups, community groups, schools and businesses.
The School Resource Officer is assigned to high schools within the City of San Marcos. He/she handles all crimes relating to school students.
These crimes include truancy, tobacco, drug and alcohol related offenses as well as crimes that occur on school grounds.
The Crime Prevention Unit focuses
on community outreach regarding crime prevention
techniques, current trends and prevention education.
The unit provides an array of free services including
assisting communities in starting neighborhood and/or
business watch groups, conducting a variety of community
safety presentations, community alerts, Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design (CPTED) reviews, and
security consultations for commercial and residential
properties.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Patrol program is designed to draw upon the experience of our community. The men and
women participating in the San Marcos Station’s program provide valuable assistance to existing staff as it strives to increase the
quality of life in the community.
These dedicated volunteers - seniors 50 years and older - provide many valuable services to the community including:
Volunteers undergo a background check, receive training to perform their duties, and are asked to work a minimum of six hours per week.
Volunteers are always in need. If interested, please call (760) 510-5290 or (760) 510-5291.
