County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff

The County of Santa Clara, also referred to as "Silicon Valley", is unique because of its combination of physical attractiveness and economic diversity. With its numerous natural amenities and one of the highest standards of living in the country, the County has long been considered one of the best areas in the United States in which to live and work

The Mediterranean climate of the region remains temperate year round due to the area's geography and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area is warm and dry much of the year. Rarely is the humidity uncomfortable, and the thermometer seldom drops below freezing. Rain generally confines itself to the winter and snow to the tops of the local mountains, the Mt. Hamilton Range lining the eastern border of the County and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west.

The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1,312 square miles. The fertile Santa Clara Valley runs the entire length of the county from north to south, ringed by the rolling hills of the Diablo Range on the east, and the Santa Cruz Mountains on the west. Salt marshes and wetlands lie in the northwestern part of the county, adjacent to the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Today, the County is a major employment center for the region, providing more than a quarter of all jobs in the Bay Area. It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country, and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the world.

The County's population of nearly 1.8 million is one of the largest in the state, following Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties, and the largest of the nine Bay Area counties. Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. There are 15 cities (see list below) ranging from Palo Alto in the north, to Gilroy in the south. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of nearly one million, and is the administrative site of County Government. A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities.

The County of Santa Clara has a culture rich in its history, ethnic diversity (over 100 languages and dialects are spoken), artistic endeavors, sports venues and academic institutions.

In sports and recreation, San Jose is home to teams for professional soccer, minor league baseball, and the San Jose Sharks, the only professional ice hockey team in Northern California. Other local sports teams include the San Jose Earthquakes, the San Jose SaberCats and the San Jose Giants. Numerous public and private golf courses are located throughout the County. In addition to these recreational outlets, the County of Santa Clara operates 28 parks covering more than 50,000 acres including scenic lakes, streams, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

The County is home to three major universities - Stanford University, Santa Clara University and San Jose State University - as well as excellent community colleges.

The County of Santa Clara Sheriff's Office is dedicated to the preservation of public safety by providing innovative and progressive service in partnership with the community.

Core values

• Our principal mission is the protection of life and property.

• Our employees are our most valued asset.

• We strive to maintain the highest level of public trust.

• We demand the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

• We value community partnerships.

• We treat each other, and the community, with dignity and respect.

• We recognize diversity as a strength.

• We value personal and professional growth through education and training.

• We recognize the importance of investing in the future of our community's children.

• We recognize the importance of fiscal responsibility through performance-based management.