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1. How do I report a crime?

In the event of an emergency or if a crime is in progress, call 911 immediately. For non-emergency situations or to report a crime such as vandalism or disturbing the peace, please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 949-770-6011.

2. I’ve filed a crime report, now what happens?

Once a crime report has been filed, in most instances, the case will proceed as follows: The deputy who took the report will provide you with a Case Number for future reference. As much follow-up investigation will be done by the deputy before it is submitted to a Supervisor for approval. The Supervisor will then forward the report to the Investigation Division where it will be assigned to an investigator who specializes in investigating that particular type of crime.

If there is workable suspect information, the investigator will continue to work the case to resolution. If there is no workable information in the report, the investigator will contact you to ascertain if there is any new information available. If there is no new information or evidence, the case will be made inactive until any new information becomes available.

From the time the deputy writes the report to the time it is assigned to an investigator takes approximately 5-7 working days. You may obtain a copy of the report through Orange County Sheriff's Support Services Records Division at 714-834-6454 approximately 10-14 working days after the report is made.

3. I was involved in a traffic collision and an officer took a report. What happens with that information and how do I get a copy of that report?

If you were involved in a traffic collision in Rancho Santa Margarita and an officer was called to the scene to take a report, in most instances, the case will proceed as follows: The officer who took the information will provide you with a Case # and will write a report that is submitted to the Traffic Investigation Office in Aliso Viejo 949-425-1860. After approval by a Traffic Investigator, the report will become available through the Orange County Sheriff's Support Services Records Division at 714-834-6454 approximately 10-14 working days after the report is made.

Accident reports dated after September 2008 are also available online at the Orange County Sheriff's Office website, under the "E-services" section of the website.

4. How do I obtain a copy of a crime, incident, or traffic report?

Reports and other documents requested without a subpoena, court order or specific statutory authority will be treated as a request made under the California Public Records Act. In order to identify responsive records and review them for possible exemptions, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department may take up to 10 calendar days to respond to a CPRA request and, if necessary, may take a reasonable period of time thereafter to produce the non-exempt records that are responsive to the request. Requests for reports may be done by email by downloading the Request Authorization for Release of Case Information form on the Support Services forms page of the Orange County Sheriff's Office website. Complete the form and email it to ReportRequest@ocsd.org as an attachment.

The Request Authorization form may also be submitted by fax to OCSD Records at 714-834-5466, in person, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or mailed to at:
320 N Flower Street
P.O. Box 449
Santa Ana, CA 92702

The cost of a report is 15 cents ($0.15) per page with the exception of a Domestic Violence report which is released at no cost to the victim. If your request is approved, you will be contacted to arrange pick-up and payment of the report. If your request is denied, you will receive a written denial in accordance with Government Code section 6255(b).

5. How do I file a report for a lost cellphone?

Please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 949-770-6011 to have a Deputy take a report from you.