Sheriff's Non-Emergency Dispatch: 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011
Lieutenant Brian Schmutz Chief of Police Services City of Rancho Santa Margarita 949-635-1819
City of Rancho Santa Margarita Overview
On January 1, 2000, Rancho Santa Margarita became the 33rd city in Orange County. Nestled against the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, the city has a population of approximately 49,704 and covers approximately 15 square miles. Rancho Santa Margarita has more than 1,700 acres of dedicated open space, including a 13-acre community lake and nine community parks. Located between Mission Viejo and Coto de Caza, the city is master planned to offer employment, schools, shopping, recreational amenities and a wide variety of housing.
More than 50% of Rancho Santa Margarita is planned as open space and recreational facilities including the picturesque lake and beach club with a swim lagoon, miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths and the popular Tijeras Creek Golf Club. The city also offers several schools, including Santa Margarita Catholic High School, day care centers, a long list of places of worship and a neighborhood shopping center.
Rancho Santa Margarita contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for all law enforcement needs. Lieutenant Brian Schmutz proudly serves as the Chief of Police Services for the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. He oversees a staff of five sergeants, one investigator, nineteen deputies, two deputies assigned to the city’s Special Enforcement Team, two Community Service Officers, one and one-third investigative assistants, and one administrative assistant.
The Sheriff's Department is responsible for public safety and general law enforcement within the city, including patrol services, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations and crime prevention.
Message From The Chief of Police Services
I am honored to be the Chief of Police Services for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and look forward to serving this community. My staff and I will strive to keep Rancho Santa Margarita as one of the safest cities in Orange County and will continue to provide the law enforcement services you have come to expect from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
