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Cerritos sheriff’s office launches 'virtual deputy' service to let residents schedule video appointments with deputies
Summary
Cerritos announced a new virtual deputy program that allows residents to schedule video meetings with deputies to report non‑emergency incidents or ask law‑enforcement questions. The tool is intended to reduce response delays for lower‑priority reports and keep deputies on patrol for higher‑priority calls.
Captain Drew Strong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department informed the council that a virtual deputy program began the same day as the Oct. 27 council meeting. The program lets residents schedule a video appointment — similar to a Zoom session — to speak with a deputy about non‑emergency incidents, ask questions, or file certain reports where there is not immediate actionable information requiring an in‑person response.
Captain Strong said the service aims to reduce response delays for lower‑priority calls and keep deputies deployed in the field for priority or emergent incidents. He described the process: residents scan a QR code on city and sheriff webpages, complete a short form describing the issue and choose an available time slot; a deputy will appear on video at the scheduled time to take the report or discuss the matter. Strong emphasized the service is not a substitute for calls to 911 or for incidents requiring urgent, on‑scene action.
The captain said Cerritos is among the earlier county cities using the program and that the department will refine success measures and address operational kinks as the pilot proceeds.
