California and the County of San Diego requires the San Diego Sheriff’s Office to preserve the peace, make arrests, prevent unlawful disturbances brought to attention and investigate public offenses. The San Diego County Charter requires the San Diego Sheriff’s Office to provide San Diego County with efficient and effective police protection, and to perform all of the duties required by law.

To accomplish such requirements, the San Diego Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Services Bureau provides general and specialized law enforcement operations. These functions include patrol, traffic, general and specialized investigations, crime prevention, crime lab, crime analysis, criminal intelligence, narcotics enforcement, emergency services, licensing, and communications.

Annually, the Sheriff's Office responds to nearly half a million calls for service in contract cities and the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Additionally, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department handles over 300,000 “9-1-1” emergency calls a year along with another 400,000 non-emergency calls.

The Law Enforcement Services Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office employs in excess of 1,300 personnel, of which over 900 are sworn deputies.