Who We are
About the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service organization providing patrol, criminal investigations, corrections, civil and search and rescue. Special operations include a Marine Patrol, K-9 units, and Forest Patrol.
The sheriff of Deschutes County is an elected public official and serves four years per term.
In June 2004, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office became only the 2nd Sheriff’s office in the state of Oregon to receive the Oregon Accreditation Alliance certification. Reaccreditation takes place every three years. The Sheriff’s Office has been reaccredited six times since 2004.
In November 2006, Deschutes County residents voted to support two taxing districts that permanently fund Sheriff’s Office operations.
Passage of the tax measures mean the Sheriff’s Office will never again have to ask Deschutes County voters to approve temporary operating levies that served as the office’s primary funding source since the mid-1980s.
District One: A countywide district funded by all Deschutes County residents provides common public safety services, such as the jail, search and rescue, and civil process service. The initial rate was $.95. The current rate is $1.25, which is the maximum rate allowed under the current permanent levy.
District Two: This district includes all areas in Deschutes County outside the cities of Bend, Redmond, Sisters and the Sunriver and Black Butte Service Districts. District Two residents also fund District One rates for common services that all citizens receive. The initial rate was $1.40. The current rate is now at the maximum of $1.55.
The population in Deschutes County was approximately 150,000 in 2006, and is now over 212,000 as of October 2025. Calls for service have also increased exponentially, requiring more employees and resources to properly serve and protect the citizens of Deschutes County. In order to keep up with future growth, the Sheriff’s Office may have to consider asking voters in the future to increase the rates in both taxing districs, which are now capped by law.
Founded in 1916 and today directed by Sheriff Ty Rupert, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in the unincorporated areas of the county. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
The agency has a modern headquarters which was completed in 1998 and is located next to the County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains substations in the communities of Sisters, La Pine and Terrebonne.