The City of Mission Viejo incorporated in 1988 and has always contracted with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services.  With a population of 97,997, Mission Viejo is the largest city served by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  Containing an area of 17.4 square miles, the city includes residential, recreational, light industrial and retail areas, as well as a community college, four high schools, three intermediate schools and sixteen elementary schools.  The city also enjoys the distinction of having a large regional shopping mall and a regional hospital with the area’s only trauma center.  Mission Viejo is a family oriented community that enjoys many excellent recreation amenities. 

Lieutenant Stephen Bernardi has over 30 years of law enforcement experience and has served as Chief of Police Services for Mission Viejo since February of 2003.    Six Sergeants provide supervision of patrol, traffic and administrative staff.  Thirty-33 Deputies provide Patrol Services.  Eight Motor Deputies provide traffic services and one Deputy provides Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.  Three School Resource Deputies are assigned to the high schools and middle schools.  Six civilian Community Services Officers perform Traffic Collision Investigation and Parking Enforcement duties.   Four Investigators and one Investigative Assistant conduct follow-up investigation.  The city is provided with further specialized investigative units such as Homicide, Vice, Economic Crimes, Computer Crimes, Narcotics, Sex Crimes and Family Violence.  Two Crime Prevention Specialists provide educational and safety information and programs to the community.   We also have a very active Senior Community Activity Team and Explorer program that volunteer thousands of hours to the community every year.

Mission Viejo ’s per capita cost for its Sheriff’s Department Police Services contract is approximately $122.  Mission Viejo has the lowest per capita cost of any city its size in the county.

Mission Viejo is recognized as the safest city in California and the second safest in the nation among cities of similar populations.  This is according to a report published by Morgan Quitno Press, which uses Part 1 crime data reported to the FBI nationwide.  Part 1 crimes include: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and auto theft.  This is the ninth consecutive year that Mission Viejo has been rated as one of the Top 10 safest cities.   The Morgan Quitno Press is an independent private research and publishing company that surveyed 371 cities and 344 metropolitan areas.

Message from the Chief of Police Services

Since the City of Mission Viejo incorporated, the city has always placed a high priority on law enforcement services.  From the beginning, city officials recognized the importance of police services to the community’s welfare.   Most people live and work in Mission Viejo because of the quality of life which is offered.   

Because of its commitment, the city has consistently provided this kind of environment for its citizens by ensuring adequate police services are provided.  Crime prevention and community education have been made high priorities along with visible, active patrols and investigative forces. 

Our objective is to provide a safe environment along with professional, responsive and caring police services.  We are dedicated to maintaining the quality of life, safe environment and low crime rate that residents have come to enjoy. 

Since 2002, Mission Viejo has experienced a 12% reduction in Part 1 crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and auto theft).  Also, since, 1999, there has been a 38% reduction in injury traffic collisions. 

In terms of evaluating police services, we consider quantitative data such as numbers of crimes, numbers of arrests and citations, etc.  While these can be helpful, we believe that consideration must also include qualitative issues such as: the level of the community’s satisfaction with police services, how safe and secure do people feel in their residence, business, on the street and within the community.  

I am very pleased that in a recent survey conducted by the City of Mission Viejo , 96% of the respondents said that they were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the city’s efforts to maintain a low crime rate.  I attribute this phenomenally high level of satisfaction to the combined efforts of the Sheriff’s Department, City of Mission Viejo and the community members. 

To continue to receive considerable support throughout the community, we must provide excellent police services.  We want to catch the criminals and deter crime.  We want to respond to calls for assistance as soon as possible and resolve the situation without having to return.  We want to express compassion and understanding for the victims of crimes.  We want people to be satisfied with the service they receive. 

I am very proud of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department who serve as part of Mission Viejo Police Services.  They are dedicated towards making Mission Viejo safe.  They are supported by the full force of the Sheriff’s Department when the needs arise.  I am also very proud to be serving in Mission Viejo and greatly appreciate the partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Mission Viejo along with the support of the community. 

Lieutenant Stephen Bernardi

Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Chief of Police Services

City of Mission Viejo

sbernardi@ocsd.org