Our Agency
Office of the Sheriff-Coroner 
Sheriff Jim Hart
454-7618

Sheriff Jim Hart currently leads the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office was established in 1850. The Sheriff is an elected official, empowered by the California State Constitution, who serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the County. The Sheriff's Office provides patrol services and conducts investigations in the unincorporated areas, operates the County's adult correctional facilities, provides court security for the Superior Court, serves civil processes, and as Coroner, investigates the cause of sudden or unexpected deaths.

The Sheriff's Office is organized into three bureaus:


Administration Bureau

Undersheriff Chris Clark works out of the Administration Bureau, but oversees all three Bureaus and is Sheriff Hart’s second in command.

The Administration Bureau manages all of the Sheriff's Office administrative, business and support functions in the following sections: Professional Standards and Conduct, Media Relations, Personnel and Training, Records, Warrants, Crime Analysis, Civil, Payroll/Fiscal Management, Forensic Services and Computer Technology.

Undersheriff Chris Clark
454-7611

Corrections Bureau

Chief Deputy Daniel Freitas oversees the Corrections Bureau to include all four corrections facilities. The Corrections Bureau is dedicated to providing a high standard of service to the public and inmates at the Santa Cruz County Jails. We strive to ensure safety and protection to the public as well as the inmates in our care. We provide a system of alternatives to incarceration through job skills development, education, work release, and transitional programs.

Chief Deputy Daniel Freitas
454-7800

Operations Bureau

Chief Deputy Jacob Ainsworth oversees the Operations Bureau. This Bureau provides services to the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County and consists of three major Divisions: Patrol, Investigations, and Community Policing.

Chief Deputy Jacob Ainsworth
454-7620

Cannabis Compliance Unit

Lieutenant Dee Baldwin is assigned to work with the County Administrative Office to create a reliable system for the enforcement of the complex and evolving state laws and county regulations surrounding cannabis. Deputies work closely with the County Cannabis Licensing Manager to reduce non-regulated cannabis cultivation.  

Lieutenant Dee Baldwin