The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department experienced many memorable events in 2013. In early February we were faced with a massive 

manhunt that tragically resulted in the loss of Detective Jeremiah MacKay. The department has grown from this event and is continuing to heal 

with the help from our exceptional law enforcement family and the overwhelming love and support shown from the community. 

The Annual Report provides the community with statistics and information necessary to evaluate the performance of the San Bernardino County 

Sheriff’s Department. Like other departments, we have faced an increase in operating costs and a decrease in staff to handle heavy demands, and 

thanks to the hard working men and women of this department we have met these demands.  In order to meet the growing needs of our com-

munities, the department has developed a number of programs and projects, such as; the H.O.P.E. Program, the High Desert Detention Center 

expansion, and the addition of safety personnel to county patrol stations.  

The H.O.P.E. (Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement) Program was created to assist the homeless population of San Bernardino County. This 

task force will work in tandem with officials from the Department of Behavioral Health to ensure all available resources are offered to those in 

need.  The program will also ensure deputies are equipped with the proper training to affirm that homelessness is not a crime. 

The H.O.P.E. task force is committed to assisting homeless individuals with housing placement, family reunification, education, medical and den-

tal services, food services and hygiene items.  This program will improve the quality of life of all members of our community.

 

As a result of Assembly Bill 109 (Realignment), the Sheriff’s Department has been forced to house inmates that would have normally been sent 

to state prison. The inmates we currently house have a much higher criminal background and sophistication. One of the effects of AB109 is that 

we are forced to release inmates prior to the completion of their sentence because we do not have enough bed space.  Although crime rates in the 

county have dropped, it is hard to predict what the long term effects of realignment will be. We realize academic, vocational, and crisis interven-

tion programs play a major role in inmate rehabilitation. Through INROADS (Inmate Rehabilitation through Occupational and Academic Devel-

opment Systems) inmates are enrolled in classes essential to facilitate their rehabilitation during incarceration and upon release. The department 

is committed to expanding inmate programs to reduce recidivism and successfully reintegrate this population into the community and help them 

remain out of the criminal justice system.

In 2008, the department was awarded grant funds to expand the High Desert Detention Center (HDDC) by 1,392 beds. Construction began in 

2011, and the new facility has a total of 2,098 beds. HDDC is a technologically advanced correctional booking facility equipped with touch screen 

control panels, inmate video visitation, and is environmentally friendly. Having a booking facility in the high desert region allows deputies to book 

arrestees without leaving their communities, and increases proactive patrol services in the high desert communities.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is committed to serving the residents of this county by providing professional Law Enforcement 

services in our areas of jurisdiction. I have committed to providing additional manpower to the county areas by adding 15 additional deputies to 

county patrol stations by June. This staffing increase will be implemented in phases as new deputies are hired and trained. The additional patrol 

deputies will help county residents experience faster response times, a better law enforcement presence in the community, and an increase in pro-

active patrol, resulting in better quality services for the residents of San Bernardino County.

In closing, I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the men and women of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, residents, 

leaders, volunteers and advocates in our county.  We cannot succeed without the help and partnerships of our community leaders. I am proud of 

these relationships and look forward to future opportunities to strengthen ties and create positive impacts in our communities. 

I would also like to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of our partners in the Department of Behavioral Health, and the County of San Ber-

nardino Law and Justice Group (San Bernardino County Probation Department, District Attorney’s Office, Superior Court, and Public Defender’s 

Office).  Without these joint partnerships we would not be successful in our endeavors. 

I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve this department. 

John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner