Los Santos County Sheriff's Department "A TRADITION OF SERVICE" Monthly Press Release January 1st, 2026 |
- Hello and welcome to the December 2025 Sheriff's Newsletter. In December we turned the gears down to allow our deputies to take a well earned holiday break. During this month, some of our deputies has been wearing festive uniforms and hats to spread joy for the holiday and the overall atmosphere has been calm and cozy. We hope everyone has a good New Year celebration and we will see you again shortly with more updates and fun releases!
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- Wow, 2025 has been quite a year. It feels like just yesterday we were reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead to what 2025 might bring. Now, we find ourselves turning our attention to 2026. As December comes to a close, I am truly grateful for such a meaningful and fulfilling holiday season. With the holidays behind us, this is a natural time to reflect on the past year and to appreciate the relationships, dedication, and accomplishments that made it possible. Looking ahead to the new year, I remain optimistic about the opportunities before us and look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.
Sheriff Ian Walter
For this December Sheriff’s Message, I would like to discuss service levels and an exciting new change within the Sheriff's Department.
Throughout the month of December, the organization intentionally allowed flexibility with weekly activity requirements to provide staff with additional opportunities to spend time with family and friends outside of work. At the same time, I made it clear to both the public and our staff that my commitment as Sheriff is to maintain the highest level of service and to ensure deputies are available when they are needed. I am pleased to report that, even with the relaxed holiday expectations, our service levels remained strong.
Based on payroll data, the average number of weekly hours worked per deputy and the total hours worked across the organization increased by more than 50 percent during the grace period compared to the two weeks prior. This occurred despite an average of approximately 20 employees per week taking advantage of the grace period in some capacity. Some took time off entirely, while others worked fewer hours than the standard five-hour weekly requirement. As a result, and to continue balancing flexibility with service expectations, the Sheriff’s Department will begin a trial period starting Sunday with a reduced weekly requirement of 2.5 hours. This trial will run for a few months and is intended to ensure that resource deployment and service to our community continue to meet the standards I expect as Sheriff.
Another important development is a change to employment restrictions. Deputies will now be permitted to work within other areas of government, including the Judicial Branch and the Department of Corrections, should they choose to do so. This change is intended to support our communities, foster stronger partnerships, and build new connections with the agencies we work alongside every day.
As we look ahead to 2026, thank you for your continued dedication and professionalism. Please stay safe, and I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
Sheriff Ian Walter
- Detective Margaret Sinclair reinstated to the Sheriff's Department in the beginning of November 2025 and is today a member of the Traffic Services Detail, Field Training Bureau, Air Support Division and most notably, the Vice Unit in the Major Crimes Division. Sinclair has been suggested for this award multiple times, and we are glad to finally announce them as the Deputy of the Month for December 2025!
Detective Margaret Sinclair
What is your favorite thing about being a deputy at the LSSD?
My favorite thing about being a deputy is the feeling of helping others, whether it be a civilian or fellow deputy,
being able to help wherever I can and make their day just a little better, simply is a feeling you can't beat and why I'm so proud to wear this badge.
What is your most memorable moment while serving as a deputy for the LSSD?
My most memorable moment serving the sheriff's department was probably early in my career during operation Kutte Throat, I was just a Deputy Sheriff II, and seeing that action, seeing our men and women of all departments working together for a common goal, was just lifechanging and a core moment in my LSSD journey.
Was there a career setback you faced that you later realized was an advantage?
I haven't faced many large setbacks in my career but the main one was just when I gave up and resigned back in september of 2025, with this time off the job, I had time to think about my ambitions and what I really wanted out of my career and out of my life and I just realised that law enforcement is truly my calling and brought myself back not long after.
What goals do you have for your tenure within the Sheriff's Department?
My main goal as of recently, is to join the Supervisor training program and progress toward a supervisor position. Aside from that, I would like to improve further in my skills in my fields, just being able to become a better person and a better and more efficient deputy.
What advice do you have for someone new to the department?
This is something I've told every trainee I've taught and something I learnt during my teaching days: 'Everybody learns differently', no two people are the same and that is perfectly fine, sometimes you have to take a different approach to learn.
Is there a quote that motivates you?
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” - 1 Peter 4:10
- Sergeant
► Lieutenant 
- Martin Haswell
► Sergeant
- Will Grigg
- Jackson Walter
- Sean Payne (Reinstatement)
► Deputy Sheriff (Bonus II)
- Chris Martinez
► Deputy Sheriff (Bonus I)
- Driscoll Morgan
► Deputy Sheriff
- Charlie Lutte
- Heath Tegans
- James Sharpe (Reinstatement)
- Theo Ashman
- Yuri Andre
- Mateo Wilson
- Deputy Availability
Executive Staff | 6 | 7.23%
Sheriff | 1
Undersheriff | 1
Assistant Sheriff | 0
Division Chief | 4
Command Staff | 6 | 7.23%
Commander | 1
Captain | 5
Supervisor Staff | 13 | 15.66%
Lieutenant | 6
Sergeant | 7
Supervisor in Training | 0 | 0%
Corporal | 0
Detective | 0
Field Staff | 58 | 69.88%
Detective | 10
Master Deputy (MFTD) | 5
Deputy Sheriff (Bonus II) | 10
Reserve Deputy Sheriff | 2
Deputy Sheriff (Bonus I) | 22
Deputy Sheriff | 7
Deputy Sheriff Trainee | 2
Internal Patrol Paperwork
Arrest Reports | 133
Impound Reports | 19
Impound Release Reports | 3
Traffic Stop Reports | 65
Warrant Reports | 35General Statistics
Promotions | 11
Demotions | 0
Reinstatement/Transfers | 3
New Trainees | 0
Discharges | 7
Recruitment & Employment
Total Number of Applications | 9
Accepted Applications | 6
Pending Interview | 2
Pending Academy Graduation | 8
Denied Applications | 2
Number of Academies | 0
Field Training Division
Number of Sessions Conducted | 10
Active Trainees | 2
Passed Trainees | 4
Failed Trainees | 2
Internal Affairs Division
Received Reports | 8
Closed Reports | 9
Redirected Reports | 1
Active Reports | 0
Sustained (Disciplinary) | 3
No Misconduct | 0
Other | 6
Sheriff's Investigations Bureau
Crime Scene Reports | 3
Case Files Opened | 5
Robbery & Homicide Cases | 3
Vice Cases | 2
Active Case Files | 4
Cases Concluded | 4
Prosecuted Cases | 2
Not Resolved Cases | 1
Unfounded Cases | 1
Operations | 0
Interrogations | 0
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If the Grinch were cited, what would his charge be?
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- Commander Clay Thompson
Disordly Conduct
Captain Garret Groyce
Nothing. He is a hero to me!
Master Deputy Ajani Delacroix
Being serious like Clay
Deputy Sheriff Omar Blake
Stealing Christmas, burglary, vandalism, and larceny
Deputy Sheriff Chris Martinez
Face concealment (b)
Deputy Sheriff Jackson Woods
Grand theft Christmas
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Division Chief Amelia Clark
Chief of Staff, Office of the Sheriff
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Information Division
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department
Procopio Promenade 1, Paleto Bay
Los Santos, SA, 909
