The official labor union representing all sworn personnel of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department since 1955. Learn about our mission, structure, services, and how we support over 4,200 deputies and their families.
The Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County (DSA) is the exclusive collective bargaining unit for all sworn deputies. We negotiate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering wages, benefits, working conditions, overtime, and retirement with the County of San Diego.
Our core mission includes:
The DSA is governed by an elected Board of Directors that meets monthly at DSA Headquarters in Poway. The Board reviews operations, approves expenditures, sets policy, and oversees all DSA programs and services.
Full-time staff at DSA HQ manage day-to-day operations including member services, benefits administration, communications, and event coordination. Located at 13881 Danielson Street, Poway, CA 92064.
Trained union representatives assigned to each station and facility. Stewards provide frontline contract enforcement, represent members in grievance proceedings, and ensure MOU compliance on a daily basis.
The DSA PAC researches and endorses candidates for local, state, and federal elections who support law enforcement. Published voter guides, legislative advocacy, and voluntary member contributions fund political activities.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department uses a standard law enforcement rank hierarchy. The DSA represents all sworn personnel at every rank level:
| Rank | Role | Typical Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy | Entry-level sworn officer | Patrol, calls for service, report writing, community policing, court appearances |
| Corporal | Senior deputy / field training | Field training officer (FTO), shift lead, specialized unit roles, mentoring new deputies |
| Sergeant | First-line supervisor | Squad supervision, incident command, performance evaluations, scheduling, policy enforcement |
| Lieutenant | Division commander | Station or unit command, budget oversight, inter-agency coordination, strategic planning |
| Captain | Senior commander | Station commander, departmental policy, executive leadership, public affairs, major operations |
DSA members serve across San Diego County at patrol stations, detention facilities, and specialized units:
