Mission Statement

We, the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, are dedicated to providing excellent service through partnerships that build trust, reduce crime, create a safe environment, and enhance the quality of life in our community.

Vision Statement

The Orange County Sheriff's Office will have a significant impact on crime and the fear of crime by creating a staff of highly-trained personnel, utilizing state-of-the-art methods and tools, and working together with one another and with the community. Innovative training, use of information technology, and the creation of partnerships with other agencies and the public will be a hallmark of the agency's commitment to this vision.

History

The first sheriff of Orange County dates from the earliest days of Florida's statehood in 1845. On January 31, 1845, the are known as Mosquito County in Territorial Florida was renamed Orange County, a name reflective of the spreading blanket of orange groves throughout the region. Less than six weeks later, on March 3, 1845, Florida's status as a territory was changed to that of statehood. The first statewide election was conducted on May 26, 1845. William Henry Williams was elected to serve as Orange County's first sheriff.

Since 1845, numerous prominent individuals have held the position of the Orange County Sheriff, including David William Mizell. Mizell was the first and only sheriff killed in the line of duty. There have been numerous theories and tales regarding the story which lead to his demise, ranging from the local tradition of the 'Barber-Mizell feud' to Reconstruction politics to a lawman simply attempting to do his additional duty of levying fines and collecting taxes.

Much has changed within the Orange County Sheriff's Office since the first sheriff was elected more than a hundred and fifty years ago. Every sheriff elected since then has strived to improve the agency. Today the Orange County Sheriff's Office has a budget of over 140 million dollars and over 2,400 employees. Sheriff Kevin Beary is the current Orange County Sheriff and has been since January of 1993.

Sheriff's Office personnel are involved with providing direction and role models for the county's young people through the D.A.R.E, School Resource, Police Athletic League, and after school and summer B.A.D.G.E. programs. The agency also has programs for the elderly, the disadvantaged, and all community members through Community Policing outreach programs such as Victims of Crime Assistance League(VOCAL), and the Senior and Civilian Police Academy. Additionally, members of the agency and numerous citizens are assisted through the Sheriff's Chaplain Program, one of the largest in the nation, composed of all-volunteer ministers.

Sheriff Beary has improved the Orange County Sheriff's Office computer, communications and records management systems. Mobile data terminals have been installed in patrol vehicles as well as the use of automatic vehicle locator system to ensure rapid response to citizen's calls for service. New 9mm semi-automatic weapons were issued to all deputies in lieu of revolvers, and new facilities were built in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Many functions, such as criminal investigation, were consolidated and moved to the new facilities. In addition, enhanced training for all members of the agency was implemented. Thanks to all sworn and civilian personnel, including volunteers, the Orange County Sheriff's Office, under the guidance of Sheriff Kevin Beary, became the first Nationally and State certified Law Enforcement Agency in Orange County.