Sheriff's Security Officers originated with the County Marshal's Office and
were retained when the Sheriff took over security responsibilities at all
Los Angeles County Courthouses. Until January 1st 2001, duties were
limited to courthouse security screening and patrol of court grounds. After
this date, the Sheriff won a contract to police the nine Los Angeles
Community College District campuses.
The College Bureau consists of approximately 100 of the total 400 Security
Officers. They, under the supervision of sworn personnel and a college
Sheriff (bonus deputy) at each campus, perform armed patrol duties and
are first to respond to calls for service, including crimes in progress,
traffic accidents, and medical emergencies.
Officers provide assistance to Sheriff's Deputies and outside agency
officers when called upon. Sheriff's Security personnel detain possible
suspects, coordinate responding units, and are trained in most aspects of
patrol duties. Security Officers are trained to the same standards as
deputy personnel in all weapons and safety equipment, including
less-lethal devices and first aid equipment.
Sheriff's Security Officers and Security Assistants are being utilized in ever
increasing and diverse assignments.
Recently, Security Assistants have been employed as Fare Enforcement
Officers with the Transit Services Bureau. The can also be found in
assignments at custody facilities, emergency operations, and patrol
stations. The basic difference between the Security Officer and Security Assistant is
that the Officer is armed and the Assistant is unarmed. Both positions are used
together at Court House entrances with metal detectors. They replaced the sworn
deputies that used to man those positions, freeing them up for work elsewhere.