The City of Rancho Santa Margarita contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for all of its law enforcement needs. Lieutenant Chuck Wilmot, a twenty year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, serves as Chief of Police Services responsible for the day-to-day operation of law enforcement services in the City. Lieutenant Wilmot manages a staff of five Sergeants, two Investigators, one Investigative Assistant, nineteen Deputies (Traffic and Patrol), two Motorcycle Deputies, one School Resource Deputy, one Deputy assigned to the regional Directed Enforcement Team (DET), two Special Enforcement Team (SET) Deputies, two Community Service Officers, one Crime Prevention Specialist, and one Administrative Secretary.
The Sheriff’s Department is responsible for providing for the protection of citizens, the enforcement of laws and crime prevention. Law enforcement services include patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, traffic accident analysis and investigation, along with parking enforcement. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department provides the City with further specialized units when necessary including Canine Patrol, Computer Crimes, Economic Crimes, Forensic Science Services, Gang Enforcement, Hazardous Devices, Helicopter Patrol, Homicide Detail, Major Accident Reconstruction Team, Mounted Patrol, Narcotics Detail, Sex Crimes, Family Violence, Tactical Support Team/Hostage Negotiations, and Terrorism Early Warning Group. Additional information regarding the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can be accessed on their website at www.ocsd.org.
Rancho Santa Margarita is recognized as the safest city in California (of cities with populations between 20,000 to 100,000) using the Part 1 crime data reported to the FBI nationwide. Part 1 crimes include, murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and auto theft.
The City is dedicated in its crime fighting strategy, as well as maintaining an atmosphere of community. There are a variety of community policing programs available to residents and businesses in the City. Police Services encourages you to participate in these programs and aid in our endeavor to preserve the quality of life in Rancho Santa Margarita. Together we can continue to make this City a place where people want to live, work and play.
Business Watch - An information and awareness program formulated to help businesses protect themselves and each other from victimization. Additionally, Business Watch members are alerted to crime patterns that may affect them. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Childhood Watch - A program formulated to educate children between the ages of 6-12 years old and their parents. This 3-session training course will teach children to develop a plan of action and provide them with tools to handle a potentially harmful situation; teach good traffic skills whether they are on a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or their own two feet; teach Internet safety; and will also include a digital photo and fingerprinting of your child. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Neighborhood Watch - This crime prevention program enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. This program involves neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance; training residents to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods; and implementation of crime prevention techniques. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Explorer Program - This program provides young adults (age 14-20) with the opportunity to assist the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Rancho Santa Margarita. Through weekly meetings, Explorers can develop their leadership skills and learn firsthand the challenges and rewards of a career in law enforcement. In addition to gaining a working knowledge of police work, the participants have an opportunity to give back to their community through this volunteer program. For additional information, call the Explorer Post Toll-Free Number at 1-866-POST-449.
School Safety Program - Our School Resource Officer and Crime Prevention Specialist are available to assist with bicycle safety rodeos, drug education, traffic safety, Internet safety, and community awareness programs. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Teen Academy - An informative program designed to increase the understanding of the Police Department’s operations. This program is offered free to local students who will participate in classes offered over a two month time period. For additional information, call 949.635.1830.
Citizen's Emergency Preparedness Academy - This program provides instruction in basic skills to help citizens help themselves and their neighbors until emergency workers or other assistance can arrive in the event of a disaster. The program is offered free of charge and consists of eight classes during a two month time period. Participants will receive training in areas such as fire safety, disaster medical operations including CPR, first aid, automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), light search and rescue, disaster psychology, and natural and man-made hazards. For additional information, call 949.635.1809.
Guest Speakers/Presentations - Experienced police personnel are available for presentations on crime-related topics including: personal safety, burglary, shoplifting, robbery, fraud, employee theft, work-place violence, and Business and Neighborhood Watch. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Security Inspections - This service is provided free of charge to assist you in identifying features which might make your home or business an easy target for criminals. A walk-through, on site inspection will be performed with you and suggestions for improvement will be made. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Vacation Home Checks - A service provided free of charge which involves a physical check of the residence to insure no windows or doors have been opened or tampered with while you are away or on vacation. For additional information, call 949.635.1819.
Child Safety Seat Inspections - A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician is available by appointment to explain the new Child Safety Seat laws and inspect or assist you with your child’s car seat or booster seat installation. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Child Fingerprinting Services - This service is provided free of charge for children between the ages of 4-18 years old at City Hall by appointment and at many of the community and school events. For additional information, call 949.635.1818.
Proof of Corrections - In the event that you received a citation for a violation that requires evidence of the violation correction and/or vehicle inspection, Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services is available to provide “Proof of Correction” citation sign-off at City Hall Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. We recommend you call 949.635.1819 first to ensure an officer is available to sign-off the citation.
