Support Services
Courts Services
The dedicated men and women of the Court Services Division serve the Imperial County Superior Courts by providing professional Law Enforcement and Security services for all court facilities within Imperial County and enforcing orders of the Courts of the State of California.
The Court Services Division is comprised of twelve full time bailiffs who are supervised by a Sheriff’s Sergeant.
Deputies assigned to the Court Services Division serve as officers of the court and are responsible for:
- The function of a bailiff is to maintain order in the courtroom and ensure the proper conduct and safety of those attending the court. The bailiff is responsible for coordinating the daily security operations within the courtroom.
- Bailiffs are assigned to all criminal, civil and family law courts. They are also assigned to any hearing based on the nature or the proceeding and the potential need for security.
- Bailiffs are the liaison between the court, defendants, spectators, and all others that come before the court.
- Bailiffs take into custody and process remanded individuals.
All persons entering the Courthouse facilities are required to pass through a weapons screening device and have all hand-carried objects x-rayed.
- Any firearms
- Stun guns
- Gun shaped lighters
- Toy or replica guns
- All bullets and ammunition
- Knives or cutting instruments of any kind
- Miscellaneous sharp items including scissors
- Tools of any kind
- Aerosol spray cans including mace or pepper spray
- Butane fuel
- Torch lighters
- Chains over 24 inches in length
- Laser pointers
- Skateboards
- Skates
- Needles/Syringes (non-diabetics or without a prescription)
- Handcuffs
- Handcuffs keys
- Excess clothing beyond what is reasonable for personal use and current weather conditions
- Camera and/or video equipment
Other miscellaneous items that present a safety concern as determined by Sheriff’s Department supervisors for each facility.
Cell phones with cameras are permitted within the courthouse but cannot be used to photograph, record or broadcast from within the courthouse without prior court approval. All electronic communication devices must be turned off or set for silent notification while inside a courtroom. Use of a cell phone to photograph or record from within the courthouse without prior court approval will result in your immediate removal from the courtroom and may subject you to a citation for contempt of court or an order imposing monetary sanctions as provided by law pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 1.150 and local court rules.
- Acceptable court attire is business or casual dress (jeans are allowed). Shorts, tank tops, crop tops and bare feet are not permitted.
- Food, beverages, chewing gum and tobacco products of any kind are prohibited within a courtroom.
- No unnecessary talking, noise or other distractions will be permitted in the courtroom. Demonstration of approval or disapproval of any testimony elicited or any statement or transaction which has occurred in the courtroom is prohibited.
- Any form of communication with prisoners is strictly prohibited and is a violation of the law. Unauthorized communication with prisoners may subject you to arrest or removal from the courtroom.
- Children may be precluded from courtrooms depending upon the subject matter of the preceding and their ability to comply with the prohibition of unreasonable noise.
Imperial County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center
P.O Box 1040
El Centro, CA 92243
Emergency: 9-1-1
NON-Emergency: (442)265-2021
The Communications Center (Dispatch) is the critical link between the community and patrol units in the field. The Imperial County Sheriff Office Communications Center is staffed by a team of highly trained dispatchers that operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Unit is staffed by 13 full-time Public Safety Dispatchers and 1 Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor.
Public Safety Dispatchers are trained to handle a variety of Law Enforcement, Fire and Medical emergencies as well as non-emergency calls and allied agency requests. The calls for service range from in progress calls such as assaults and burglaries to non-emergency calls such as past occur property thefts and loud music complaints. The Imperial County Communications unit handles over 99,000 telephone calls annually; of those 23,000 are 911 calls.
The Dispatch Unit serves as the Public Safety Communications Center for North County, South County, East County patrol, the City of Holtville , Imperial County Fire Department, Emergency Medical Airships Services, and after-hours for County Animal Control and Holtville Public Works. Dispatch is also responsible for dispatching specialized units such as Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), Off Highway Vehicle and Boating Enforcement Team (OHVEST/BEST), Underwater Recovery Team, De Anza Search and Rescue, Aero Squadron, and Hazmat team to name a few.
Dispatchers receive 5 months of on the job training along with 3 weeks of formal Police Officer Standards & Training (POST) academy certification within the first year of employment.
When to call and what to expect when you dial 911
- 9-1-1 lines are for life and death emergencies. An emergency is any type life threatening situation (assaults, fights, subjects with weapons, etc.), any type of fires or a medical emergency such as bleeding, chest pains or seizures.
- Do not dial 9-1-1 for a non-emergency matters. Instead dial the agency's seven digit non-emergency number (442)265-2021. Non-emergency incidents are thefts and vandalisms when suspect is gone, cars blocking the driveways or to inquire a telephone number.
- Do not program 9-1-1 into your auto-dial telephone or cell phones. You will not forget the number and programming the number invites accidental calls. If you call 9-1-1 accidentally, do not hang up. Instead, stay on the line and explain to the dispatcher that you dialed by mistake and that you do not have an emergency.
- Be prepared to give a brief description of the incident that you are reporting as well as descriptions the individuals involved. This includes their race, sex, age, height and weight, color of hair as well as clothing description. If vehicles are involved dispatchers need the color, year, make, model, style (pick- up truck, sedan, van, etc.) and license plate if available. If the vehicle is parked and the direction of travel if the vehicle is leaving the scene.
- Dispatchers are trained to ask questions that will help prioritize the incident and send the correct response. Remain calm, speak clearly and be patient as the dispatcher asks questions. If the suspect is nearby and you are not in a position to give full answers, stay on the telephone and the dispatcher will ask you questions that can be answered "yes" or "no".
- Follow any instructions the dispatcher gives you such as meeting the officers at the front door, flagging down responding units by the street or getting out of the area if you are in danger yourself. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.
Records
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Records Division is the repository, retrieval and records management center for arrest and booking records for Imperial County and for county-wide warrants and restraining orders. The Records Division process requests for information and the release of crime/incident reports in accordance with California Government Code section 6254 out-of- custody inmate inquiries for authorized governmental agencies; issues Clearance Letters and Criminal History Letters; process and issues various county permits and licenses; process vehicle releases and Live Scans; register sex and arson offenders; and provides a variety of other services for the law enforcement community.
Our office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.), except weekends and holidays.
The Records Division can be contacted by phone at (442) 265-2125, by fax at (442) 265-2073, or by mail: Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Records Division, 328 Applestill Road, El Centro, CA 92243
General Services Provided
- Copy of Crime/Incident Report
- Criminal History Letter
- Clearance Letter
- Vehicle Release
- Live Scan Service
- Local Warrant Check
- Ticket Sign-Off
Permit/Licenses
- Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permit
- Alarm Permit
- Explosive Permit
- Bingo License
Copies of Crime/Incident Reports are released in accordance with Section 6254 of the California Government Code. These reports are considered to be confidential and are generally releasable to "interested parties" only (as defined by applicable State codes), or by subpoena or court order.
Information concerning the final disposition, sentencing, trial status, or questions related to the actual prosecution of a case must be referred to the appropriate Superior Court Location or to the District Attorney's office.
You may request a copy of a report by completing the "Crime/Incident Report Application" and mail it to Imperial County Sheriff’s Office:
Attn: Records Division,
328 Applestill Road, El Centro, CA 92243
Fax: 442-265-2073 or
email: recordsdivision@icso.org
or submit in person. Along with your request, you provide a copy of a valid government issued photo identification.
Fees & Payment.
The fee for a copy of a Crime/Incident Report is $22.00. Fees can be paid by money order or cashier’s check. Please make checks payable to the “Imperial County Sheriff’s Office." Exact cash is also accepted if presented in person.
Note: This type of request is normally processed within 10 business days. Victims of certain offenses are exempt from the $22.00 fee.
Local Clearance Letter & Local History Clearance Letter
The Imperial County Sheriff's Office can assist you with obtaining a Clearance Letter (which is a letter showing that you have no criminal record with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office). Oftentimes, these are required in order to obtain a government-issued Visa or other document.
If you do have a criminal record with Imperial County Sheriff's Office, you will be provided with a Criminal History Letter showing your time spent in the Imperial County Jail. Please be advised that you must contact the appropriate Court if you require further information on your arrest record.
In order to obtain either of these documents, you will need to provide valid, government-issued photo identification, your fingerprint and a fee. You will also be required to complete the Local Criminal History Request form which is available here. You need to personally submit your completed form with a copy of your valid government photo identification and your payment to the Records Unit which is located at 328 Applestill Road, El Centro, CA 92243. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8-5pm, except weekends and holidays. If you have any questions, please contact the Records Unit at (442) 265-2125.
Fees & Payments
Clearance Letter - $58.00; Criminal History Letter - $87.00Fees can be paid by money order or cashier’s check. Please make checks payable to the “Imperial County Sheriff’s Office". Exact cash is also accepted if presented in person.
This type of request is normally processed within 10 business days.
If your vehicle is stored by the Imperial County Sheriff's Office the registered owner must obtain a Vehicle Release prior to retrieving their vehicle from the tow company. In order to obtain a Vehicle Release:
- Registered owner must be present
- Must have a valid vehicle registration
- Must have a valid proof of insurance
Must have a valid driver's license (if you do not have a valid driver's license, you must have valid government photo identification, and you must bring a driver that has a valid driver's license)
Fees & Payments
Vehicle Release- $22 fee can be paid by exact cash, money order or cashier’s check.
We are located at 328 Applestill Road, El Centro Ca, 92243. Office Hours: M-F, 8-5pm (closed for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm) except weekends and holidays.
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Records Bureau provides Live Scan services at the main office located in El Centro. Live Scan is the process used to digitally obtain and transmit fingerprints to California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Once fingerprints are digitally obtained, they are transmitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as needed. The DOJ and FBI will evaluate the prints and transmit the results to the requesting agency within 3 to 14 days. If after 14 days the requesting agency has not received results, please contact the Department of Justice at (916) 227- 3835.
The requesting agency shall provide the Live Scan Request form to each applicant. The requesting agency is responsible for completing the section relating to agency information. The applicant should bring the completed Live Scan Request forms, a valid United States issued photo Identification card, and payment (exact cash, money order, or agency billing number) to their scheduled appointment.
To ensure the safety of everyone and the efficiency of the Live Scan services we ask for compliance on the following;
- Be on time. Late appointments will be asked to reschedule.
- Make arrangements for child care prior to being fingerprinted.
- We cannot print individuals with open wounds on their fingers, reschedule when healed.
- Perfume, lotion, or oil based products should not be worn the day of the appointment.
- All cell phones and non-medical related electronic devices should be turned off prior to entering our facilities.
Fees & Payment
Live Scan rolling fee- $22.00 and additional DOJ and FBI fees may apply.
Due to COVID-19 we are not offering Live Scan services to the public at this time.
Contact the Records Division
Monday-Friday 8:00 am -5:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm) weekends and holidays
8AM-5PM
(442) 265-2125
El Centro Main Office Ticket sign offs
- Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Salton City and Winterhaven Sheriff’s Office stations Ticket sign offs
- Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Brawley Sheriff's Office station Ticket sign-offs
- Monday and Wednesday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
All stations will be available during the listed hours with the exception of Holidays.
Fees & Payments:
$17.00 fee. Exact cash can be used at the El Centro office however, all other sub-stations only accept cashier’s check or money order.
California Concealed Weapons Permit:
CCW Application submittal options:
Alarm Permit
Explosive Permit
Bingo License
How do I obtain a copy of my State Criminal History record? Refer to the California Department of Justice website
How do I obtain a copy of my Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI)record? Refer to the FBI website
What are the Live Scan Locations? Refer to Live Scan Location website
Where can I obtain information on Sex Offenders? Refer to MEGAN’s Law website
Civil
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division carries out the sheriff’s statutory responsibility for the service of process and execution of writs. These judicial process documents originate from the courts, governmental agencies and private attorneys in California and throughout the United States and include:
- Writ of Execution
- Writ of Possession – Real Property
- Writ of Attachment- Personal Property
- Summons & Complaint
- Summons & Petition
- Domestic Violence Retraining Orders
- Civil Harassment Retraining Orders
- Elder Abuse Restraining Orders
- Bank Levies
- Wage Garnishments
- Notices
- Small Claims
- Order to Appear
- Subpoenas (Civil & Criminal)
Exact change is required for all transactions and fees. Please provide original documents plus 2 additional copies for each service.
The Civil Division also enforces levies and writs of attachment and conducts Sheriff’s sales to aid in the collection of money judgments.For information about having your documents served, call the Civil Division Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.), except weekends and holidays at (442) 265-2011.You can also mail your documents with the service fee to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, Civil Division, P.O. Box 1040, El Centro, CA 92244.
Directions from Interstate 8 in El Centro, CA:
- Take 4th Street (Hwy 86) south to stoplight at McCabe Road & turn west on McCabe Road
- Continue west on McCabe Road to 4-way stop at Clark Road (8th St) & turn south on Clark Road
- Take first right onto Applestill Road (N Loop)
- Sheriff's Office will be at the end of Applestill Road (on left)
Consumer Publications - Landlord/Tenant
- Letter From The Department Of Consumer Affairs
- Notice - The Fine Print
- Introduction And How to Use This Booklet Who Is A Landlord And Who Is A Tenant?
- Looking For A Rental Unit
- Unlawful Discrimination
- Before You Agree To Rent
- When You Have Decided To Rent
- Living In The Rental Unit
- Dealing With Problems
- Having Repairs Made
- Moving Out
- Refunds Of Security Deposits
- Terminations And Evictions
- The Eviction Process
- Retaliatory Actions, Evictions And Discrimination
- Resolving Problems