Deputy Sheriffs provide security for the Superior Courts as well as Commissioners. The Marshal s Office, with its accompanying duties pertaining to the Courts, was merged with the Office of the Sheriff in 1988, and now constitutes the Court Security Division. The Patrol Division serves the unincorporated area of the County, the five contract cities of Danville, Lafayette, Oakley, Orinda and San Ramon and the special districts in Alamo, Blackhawk, Crockett, Diablo and Roundhill. Additionally, the Contra Costa County Housing Authority, A.C. Transit and the Contra Costa Water District contract with the Sheriff for law enforcement services. The Investigations Division is responsible for follow up investigation of all reported felony offenses and certain misdemeanor crimes that occur in the unincorporated area.
Detectives also provide service to contract cities and special districts.
The Office of the Sheriff has its own Crime Laboratory, which provides service to all law enforcement agencies in the County and is known for its excellence. Since the Sheriff also fulfills the role of County Coroner , every Sheriff s Deputy is authorized to act on behalf of the Sheriff for the investigation of unexplained deaths. The Communications Center dispatches for all Sheriff s patrol units and contracted services, as well as all emergency medical and Animal Control services countywide. The ten-year old communications center was recently upgraded and remodeled. The project began in late 1997 and was completed in mid-1999.