Los Santos County Sheriff's Department "A TRADITION OF SERVICE" Monthly Press Release February 1st, 2026 |
- My goodness, another month in the books for the LSSD, and what a busy one it’s been! We recently held our internal awards ceremony, where the department came together to celebrate one another and recognize those who took home awards. We’re also proud to announce our department-wide restructuring (you can read more about that below).
I also wanted to take a moment to share a personal message. These newsletters take a lot of time and effort from our team, and we do them because you take the time to read them. From the Sheriff Information Bureau, we sincerely want to say thank you.
We hope you enjoy!
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- As the snow has melted off our roadways, the temperatures are still hanging on to that winter chill. With the first month of 2026 coming to a close, we now turn our attention to February and, hopefully, warmer days ahead. February is a month for recognizing the ones you care about, maybe finding someone new, or remaining forever single like myself. Either way, it is a month worth appreciating, and I hope everyone heads into it on a positive note.
Sheriff Ian Walter
The Sheriff’s Department has officially wrapped up the holiday period and reinstated weekly activity requirements at the 2.5-hour mark. This will be a trial period over the next few months as we evaluate whether this standard is sustainable while continuing to provide the level of service our citizens expect and deserve.
I will keep it short this month, but I want to leave you all with an important reminder. Our badge carries weight. How we conduct ourselves, both on and off duty, directly shapes how this department and this county are viewed.
Stay safe out there, look out for one another, and continue doing the job with professionalism and the highest level of excellence.
Sheriff Ian Walter
- Deputy Sheriff Rebecca Edwards transferred from the Los Santos Police Department at the end of September 2025. During Deputy Edward's time within the Sheriff's Department, she has become a Field Training Deputy and a valued member of the Detective Division - Major Crimes Bureau where they are currently undergoing training. We are happy to announce Deputy Edwards as the Deputy of the Month for January 2026 and we are lucky to have them as a part of the department.
Deputy Sheriff Rebecca Edwards
What is your favorite thing about being a deputy at the LSSD?
I think my favorite thing is having so many great people to work alongside. Everyone in SD is capable of enjoying themselves while on shift, have a bit of a laugh but still possessing the ability to lock in and get our work done. I think it makes for a really positive and great work environment.
What is your most memorable moment while serving as a deputy for the LSSD?
Getting attacked by a cougar is definitely up there on the list.
Was there a career setback you faced that you later realized was an advantage?
I feel like once I transferred from PD, I felt a bit demotivated. I was new, I didn't know many people and it felt a bit tough to get my head in the game and really focus on progressing my career, being in such unfamiliar territory. At one point, I even considered resigning.
However, I feel like this helped me in the long run - not feeling burned out once I really wanted to put in the work to start progressing my career, allowing me to come at everything with full force, motiviation and energy.
What goals do you have for your tenure within the Sheriff's Department?
I'm currently working towards becoming a detective, so at the moment, that is my main goal. Just getting my training finished and hopefully doing well enough to progress in these areas.
What advice do you have for someone new to the department?
Be patient with yourself and don't be so hard on yourself when you mess up - being new to the department can be very daunting. It's a lot of information to absorb, and a lot of high stress situations. It's okay to make some mistakes, you're learning and you're not expected to know everything. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help, better to be safe than sorry!
Is there a quote that motivates you?
"The expert in anything was once a beginner."
- Today Los Santos County Sheriff’s Department is proud too announce a significant organizational restructuring following discussions among Executive Staff. These changes are designed to modernize the department’s structure, strengthen leadership clarity, and better position the agency for future growth. While this announcement marks an important step forward for our department . It is important to note that day-to-day operations will remain largely unchanged with public safety and serving the community being our number one focus.
Badge and Insignia Updates
The department has moved to a single “Deputy Sheriff” badge at the deputy level. Career progression will continue through internal pay grades (Noted by a "bonus level" on their badge)Deputies advancing in responsibility will receive increased authority and compensation without a change in badge, while individual badges will remain in place for supervisory and command ranks. For example my new (M. Ross) badge says "Deputy Sheriff (MFTD)" That replaced master deputy.
Structural and Leadership Changes
The rank of Staff Sergeant has been eliminated, and a new executive rank Division Chief has been established to oversee major functional areas of the department. The role of Assistant Sheriff has been elevated, with two Assistant Sheriffs now overseeing Operations and Administration respectively, supported by Division Chiefs.
Additionally, the Advanced Training Division will be integrated into the Field Training Bureau, creating a more continuous and consistent training framework from academy graduation through a deputy’s early career.
Promotions and Appointments
The following promotions are listed below:
• Oscar Black – Undersheriff
• Fillmoore Grayson – Division Chief
• Amelia Clark – Division Chief, Chief of Staff
• Tom Brown – Division Chief, North Patrol
• Dante Archer – Division Chief, Detectives
• Clay Thompson – Commander
The Los Santos County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and service to the community. These changes reflect a continued effort to strengthen the organization while maintaining the highest standards of public safety and accountability.
- Deputy Sheriff Gina Willow is one of Sheriff's Department's newest transfer from the Los Santos Police Department. Since their transfer, they have became members of the Field Training Bureau, Air Support Division and is currently undergoing detective training for the Major Crimes Bureau - Detective Division. We asked Deputy Willow a few question for this release.
Deputy Sheriff Gina Willow
What made you want to join the department?
The people and the atmosphere. Everyone is easy to get along with, and people always have your back, whether you’re on a scene or doing anything else. I also get consistent feedback, and Lt. Olson said I should join and transfer to SD.
What does a “good day at work” look like for you?
It depends. There can be different types of good days, like when we raid a house and make the world safer—but also the slower days where we can interact with the public. That’s nice too. It’s always good when the public is on our side.
What do you think sets our department apart from others, and why?
Again, the people. A lot of criminals have a distaste for LEOs, but people seem to have a positive outlook on us. They understand we have a job to do, and the way we carry ourselves leaves a better impression with people.
- Lieutenant
► Captain 
- Arnold Rimmer
- William Club (Reinstatement)
► Detective 
- Jaxson Hayes
- Matthew Burns (Transfer)
► Master Deputy (MFTD)
- Lucas Laney
- Trixie Bankshot (Reinstatement)
- Cole Richardsun (Reinstatement)
► Deputy Sheriff (Bonus II)
- Charlie Ross
- Frank Peters
- Jay Alva
- Rebecca Edwards
► Deputy Sheriff (Bonus I)
- Steven Lee (Reinstatement)
- Gina Willow (Reinstatement)
- Aaron Marks (Transfer)
► Deputy Sheriff (Bonus I)
- James Sharpe
- Omar Blake
- Yuri Andre
► Deputy Sheriff
- Adithya Ramesh
- Callum Ryder
- Christopher Miles
- Leroy Santos
- Christopher Miles
- Draven Armani
- Timothy Stone
- Chris Nightingale
- Brooke Sterling
- Jayden Vice
- Jonathan Martin
- Deputy Availability
Executive Staff | 6 | 6.67%
Sheriff | 1
Undersheriff | 2
Assistant Sheriff | 0
Division Chief | 4
Command Staff | 7 | 7.78%
Commander | 1
Captain | 6
Supervisor Staff | 13 | 14.44%
Lieutenant | 5
Sergeant | 8
Supervisor in Training | 0 | 0%
Corporal | 0
Detective | 0
Field Staff | 64 | 71.11%
Detective | 10
Master Deputy (MFTD) | 7
Deputy Sheriff (Bonus II) | 13
Reserve Deputy Sheriff | 1
Deputy Sheriff (Bonus I) | 19
Deputy Sheriff | 7
Deputy Sheriff Trainee | 1
Internal Patrol Paperwork
Arrest Reports | 189
Impound Reports | 23
Impound Release Reports | 9
Traffic Stop Reports | 87
Warrant Reports | 38General Statistics
Promotions | 15
Demotions | 0
Reinstatement/Transfers | 7
New Trainees | 8
Discharges | 7
Recruitment & Employment Bureau
Total Number of Applications | 16
Accepted Applications | 3
Pending Interview | 3
Pending Academy Graduation | 1
Denied Applications | 9
Number of Academies | 2
Field Training Breau
Number of Sessions Conducted | 20
Active Trainees | 6
Passed Trainees | 3
Failed Trainees | 1
Internal Affairs Bureau
Received Reports | 7
Closed Reports | 4
Redirected Reports | 0
Active Reports | 3
Sustained (Disciplinary) | 2
No Misconduct | 0
Other | 2
Detective Division
Crime Scene Reports | 5
Case Files Opened | 33
Robbery & Homicide Cases | 16
Vice Cases | 14
Active Case Files | 20
Cases Concluded | 11
Prosecuted Cases | 0
Not Resolved Cases | 1
Unfounded Cases | 1
Operations | 5
Interrogations | 8
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If you could be any character from a TV Show, Who would it be and why?
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- Captain Leif Helgarson
Thomas Magnum from Magnum PI. ... have you seen that mustache?!?!?
Master Deputy Matthew Burns
Alvin Olinsky from Chicago PD.
Why?
He’s not about chasing attention or seeking praise; he just aims to get results. He understands the streets, how to read people well and puts loyalty to the team above everything else.
He understands that the job isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem. Sometimes you’re faced with difficult choices, uncomfortable situations or calls that don’t come with a clear answer in any training manual.
Ultimately, being a detective isn’t about playing the hero; it’s all about judgment, keeping your patience, and knowing when to push forward and when to back off and stay quiet. At the end of the day, the jobs all about the outcomes, protecting your team and making sure the streets are left safer than they were when you started, even when the job asks more of you than people could ever realise.
Master Deputy Dymond Cole
House from House. The ability to be unfiltered and keep your job would be great. Also being a massive douchebag to everyone yet still being loved by everyone is a special kind of art.
Deputy Sheriff Gina Willow
I would choose Rosa Riaz from brooklyn 99 because she is a baddasssssssssssssss detective and i aspire to be like her one day.
Deputy Sheriff Driscoll Morgan
I would be Tim Bradford from The Rookie, because he's an excellent law enforcement officer and a firm but fair teacher. He is also a gold standard human being with unshaken competence, a moral spine and protective loyalty.
Deputy Trainee Timothy Stone
I would be: Frank, from F is for Family. Frank knows what’s right and is very stern. He likes to have fun and pushes limits, but knows what’s right. When it comes down to it, it’s all about family.
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Division Chief Amelia Clark
Chief of Staff, Office of the Sheriff
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department
Master Deputy Mason Ross
Team Leader, Sheriff's Information Bureau
[email protected]
Deputy Sheriff Lue Washington
Information Deputy, Sheriff's Information Bureau
[email protected]
Sheriff's Information Division
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department
Procopio Promenade 1, Paleto Bay
Los Santos, SA, 909
