Public safety is a team effort, and despite continued COVID-19 restrictions, we are still looking for ways to work with you to promote public safety and foster mutual understanding. There are several ways to get involved and help build a stronger community; take a look at some of our open and upcoming opportunities!

The Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue program teaches young men and women essential life skills and unique insight into the exciting career fields of Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services. This program is a big commitment for any teenager, but the personal rewards are endless.

We are looking for Washington County youth ages 14-17 to join our team. The ideal candidates are dedicated, thrive on adventure, and appreciate team skill-building! To find out more, visit bit.ly/WCSO_SAR or attend one of our upcoming information sessions - important dates and contacts.

Ready for a unique volunteer opportunity to help our community? Consider becoming a Reserve Deputy!

If you’re looking for a way to help keep your community safe while building new skills, consider applying for our Reserve Deputy program! Applications are due by April 10 to join our next interagency academy beginning January 2023.

To learn more about this great program, including testing, selection process, training, and program commitment, visit bit.ly/WCSO_Reserves.

WCSO relies on our team of volunteer chaplains who are always on standby to provide trauma-informed care for community members who have experienced a critical incident and are in crisis. WCSO Chaplains also offer approved religious services to the adults in custody at the Washington County Jail.

Chaplains serve anyone in emotional or spiritual distress and are the emotional first responders until family, friends, or other professional help can offer comfort and ongoing support.

All volunteer chaplains train and equip themselves to respond at any time (24/7, 365) to “call-outs” from deputies or staff requesting assistance with critical situations throughout Washington County and inside the jail. Individuals or families in crisis needing urgent support or emergency services include those dealing with:

In the past year alone, WCSO Chaplains engaged with all of the above on multiple occasions. And sadly, we anticipate more of the same moving forward because suffering and loss are a part of life.

For this reason, a chaplain must be willing to show up amid crisis or uncertainty at any time. They must be prepared to listen well and ask good questions, not to follow their own agenda or give an answer, but to give their time to support and encourage others.

In other words, a chaplain is called to be available and authentic while also affirming the inherent dignity of every life. Volunteer WCSO Chaplains always support our mission, core values, and goals while engaging the crisis-related needs of the community, as well as adults in custody.

To find out more about this program or to become a volunteer chaplain, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Sara Serna.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office Foundation supports our safety efforts as the only organization authorized to raise funds on our behalf. Their fundraising efforts support programs that promote community, improve liveability, and reduce crime yet are not covered by county funds. The foundation sponsors community outreach programs such as our annual K9 Trials, Shop with a Cop, Search and Rescue, Stop Kids Impaired Driving (SKID), and Project Lifesaver.

The foundation consists of 14 board members who live or work in Washington County and represent our service area from neighborhoods, businesses, and community participation organizations. Members are volunteers and local business leaders who donate their time and experience to raise funds for these various programs.

The foundation is currently recruiting for a board vacancy and specifically seeking website experience. Volunteer board members attend monthly virtual meetings and commit to two years. If interested in this position, please email Foundation President Bob Zahrowski, or visit their website to learn more.

Our work at the Sheriff’s Office plays a vital role in so many aspects of public safety throughout all of Washington County. Join and engage with us during our upcoming Sheriff’s Showcase - LIVE on Facebook, as we interview experts from different parts of our office, and you can use this unique opportunity to ask YOUR questions!

Connect with us live during three consecutive Wednesday evenings this April!

Wed, April 13, 7 pm:

Wed, April 20, 7 pm:

Wed, April 27, 7 pm:

For more information, contact Public Affairs.

The Sheriff's Office Latino Advisory Commission addresses public safety issues and seeks to build trust among our communities of color and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Establishing an ongoing partnership is an essential step in meeting the public safety needs of our entire community.

We welcome community involvement! The commission meets virtually the first Wednesday of every month from 4 - 6 pm. For more information or meeting links, contact Joann Hoffman at 503-846-2762.

The Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District (ESPD) Advisory Committee meets bi-monthly with Sheriff Garrett and command staff to review and offer recommendations regarding the level and type of police service provided. The committee also advises the Sheriff on strategic goals, other long-range opportunities, and community collaboration.

All ESPD Advisory meetings are public and hosted on the first Wednesday of every other month. Their next meeting is Wednesday, March 2, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, and is open to virtual attendance via Microsoft Teams. For more information, contact Lori Larson at 503-846-2694.

These presentations are an excellent opportunity to connect with our outreach staff and learn more about public safety. If you are interested in scheduling a virtual safety presentation for your community group, contact us today!

The Sheriff's Office is partnering with other local organizations to provide our older community members with tools to navigate common challenges. The Friendship Over Fifty series is a three-part seminar open to the public. Find out more at the links below.

Join WCSO Elder Safe Specialist Corrine Haning for part two of this series and learn about some of the latest scamming tactics, fraud, and ways to boost your emotional protection. Social media's fundamental premise is to help people connect and serves as a conduit for joining new groups, following the news, or other areas of interest. But how do you know that the person you are interacting with online is who their profile claims?? Find out the answer to this question and more!

We have two upcoming presentations and all are welcome to attend. Registration is required and you may attend single sessions if you're not available for all three presentations.

Join us for a community update through Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS)!

Sheriff's Office staff have been hard at work evolving best practices and services to meet the changing needs of those we serve. Our leadership would like the opportunity to connect with you to discuss local concerns and safety issues.

As part of the Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District (ESPD), learn what services you receive and how you can play a role in maintaining Washington County as the safest urban county in Oregon. Additionally, find out more about the ESPD levy on the upcoming ballot.

There are two virtual opportunities available through Zoom. Registration is required.

For more information, contact Public Affairs.

Led by volunteers, Community Participation Organizations (CPO) provide a place for neighbors to meet and address local issues together. Your CPO is your community engagement connection to information, people, and opportunities. Don't miss another opportunity to contribute to the decision-making that affects you and your community. Everyone is welcome!

Currently, there are thirteen active regionally-based CPOs in Washington County. Do you know which meeting addresses your neighborhood? If not, find your CPO! CPOs hold regular community meetings and events. Drop into the next CPO meeting in your area to find out what is happening in your community.

Building connections and empowering community members to create friendly and safe neighborhoods is an important goal of the Sheriff’s Office. We prioritize this through deliberate efforts to expand Washington County Neighborhood Watch Programs.

The Sheriff's Office hosts virtual Neighborhood Watch kick-off meetings in partnership with neighborhoods. During these meetings, we discuss neighborhood-specific concerns and encourage simple steps to make communities more friendly and safe.

Click here for more information on starting or reviving an existing Watch Program, or contact Public Affairs.

Washington County Sheriff's Office is hiring patrol and jail deputies. If you or anyone you know is interested in making an impact in Washington County, check out our available positions! Visit joinWCSO.com for information on requirements, testing, the application process, and more.

Some of the essential skills we look for and are needed to appropriately serve the community in a law enforcement position include de-escalation, unconscious bias, great communication, community policing, and equitable approaches.

If you have additional questions, please contact our Recruitment Team: [email protected] or call (503) 846-6369.

We are actively recruiting for Criminal Records Specialist I/II positions!

This role is an opportunity to apply your best skills in a broad array of administrative responsibilities and receive comprehensive, on-the-job training. This role provides vital support to law enforcement officers, criminal court operations, and other jurisdictions. Additionally, you will create and extract law enforcement data and provide administrative customer service to the public, attorneys, or insurance companies related to bail, fees, towed vehicles, or expunction of records.

If you are looking for a dynamic and fun position and would like to join our support team, apply today!

Our Forensics Team is looking for a highly technical and analytical expert in the field of computer forensics.

This role will use your skills and expertise in Digital Forensic Investigations to accomplish our key mission and support Washington County's vibrant and diverse community. Using highly specialized software and technical skills, you will forensically analyze computers and other digital/data storage devices such as smartphones, tablets, storage devices/drives, and cloud computing systems and applications. The position works cooperatively with various law enforcement, corrections, and criminal prosecution professionals during all phases of any digital analysis and investigation process.

Find out more about this position's qualifications and more by visiting Washington County Jobs. This position's application process closes on February 27.

We value community feedback and accountability. If you wish to file a complaint or compliment regarding services you received from us, visit our website and let us know. The more we hear from you, the better we can serve you!