By Amelia Anderson The Oxnard Police Department (OPD) is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving Oxnard, California. The department provides emergency response, patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, school and neighborhood policing, specialized operations, records services, property and evidence management, emergency communications and community programs within the city.
For an emergency, an immediate threat to life or safety, a crime in progress or another situation requiring urgent police response, call 911. For non-emergency police dispatch, call 805-385-7740. The department main line is 805-385-7600, and police headquarters is located at 251 South C Street in Oxnard.
OPD is organized into three principal bureaus: Field Services, Investigative Services and Administrative Services. These bureaus contain patrol, traffic and booking functions, specialized enforcement, criminal investigations, family protection, records, property and evidence, professional standards, emergency communications and other support services.
Oxnard Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Oxnard Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | OPD |
| Headquarters | 251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency dispatch | 805-385-7740 |
| Department main line | 805-385-7600 |
| Watch Commander | 805-385-7746 |
| Records Unit | 805-385-7650 |
| Property and Evidence | 805-385-7738 |
| Property Crimes Unit | 805-385-7605 |
| Main bureaus | Three |
| County | Ventura County |
| Online police reporting | Available through the City of Oxnard police-report service |
| Traffic collision reports | Available through the department-approved online crash-report service |
| County detention facility | Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility |
| Detention facility address | 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009 |
| Sheriff main contact | 805-654-2380 |
The police headquarters lobby is listed as open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Records Unit public window is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Property and Evidence serves the public by appointment. Emergency response and dispatch services operate continuously.
Oxnard Police Department Address
The main police facility is:
- 251 South C Street, Oxnard, California 93030
- Main line: 805-385-7600
- Non-emergency dispatch: 805-385-7740
The headquarters is the principal location for police administration, patrol support, investigative services, records, property and evidence, professional standards and other department functions. Residents who are uncertain which unit they need can start with the main line or the non-emergency dispatch number depending on the nature of the matter.
Residents commonly contact OPD for matters such as:
- Reporting a crime or requesting an officer
- Filing an eligible police report online
- Obtaining a police or traffic collision report
- Providing information about an investigation
- Retrieving property authorized for release
- Asking about a towed vehicle or vehicle release
- Filing a citizen complaint or commendation
- Requesting victim assistance or information about support services
Administrative phone numbers and online forms should not be used for emergencies. If a situation is dangerous, actively unfolding or poses an immediate threat, call 911.
Oxnard Police Department Organization
The Oxnard Police Department is organized into three major bureaus:
- Field Services Bureau
- Investigative Services Bureau
- Administrative Services Bureau
The Field Services Bureau contains the department’s front-line and specialized operational functions. The Investigative Services Bureau conducts follow-up investigations of serious and complex crimes. Administrative Services supports department operations through records, evidence management, professional standards, financial services, communications and related functions.
Field Services Bureau
The Field Services Bureau is the department’s largest operational bureau. It includes the Patrol Division, Patrol Support Division, Special Operations Division and Emergency Communications Division.
Major Field Services functions include:
- Patrol response to emergency and routine calls
- School Resource Officers
- Neighborhood Policing Team activities
- Traffic enforcement and traffic support
- Booking functions
- Community Service Officers
- Animal Safety
- Special Enforcement Unit / SWAT
- K-9 operations
- Emergency police dispatch and call-taking
Patrol officers provide the initial response to many incidents, protect victims, secure scenes, conduct preliminary investigations, make arrests and prepare reports. The Patrol Support Division adds traffic, booking and civilian support functions, while Special Operations provides specialized resources for serious offenders and high-risk incidents.
Emergency Communications receives 911 and non-emergency calls and dispatches police resources throughout the city. Non-emergency police dispatch can be reached at 805-385-7740.
Investigative Services Bureau
The Investigative Services Bureau performs follow-up investigation on criminal and incident reports generated by patrol and other department units. Detectives interview victims, witnesses and suspects, collect and analyze evidence, develop investigative leads and prepare cases for prosecution.
The bureau includes specialized investigative assignments such as:
- Violent Crimes Unit
- Major Crimes Unit
- Property Crimes Unit
- Family Protection Unit
- Drug Enforcement Unit
- Crime analysis support
- Crime-scene investigation support
The Violent Crimes Unit investigates gang-related offenses, violent assaults and graffiti-related cases. Major Crimes handles homicide investigations. The Property Crimes Unit investigates burglary, theft, fraud, forgery, arson and stolen vehicles. The Property Crimes Unit can be contacted at 805-385-7605 for appropriate administrative or prevention-related matters.
The Family Protection Unit handles sensitive cases including domestic violence, sexual assault, missing persons, child abuse, elder abuse and sex-offender registration. The Drug Enforcement Unit focuses on narcotics-related offenses, opioid overdose investigations and human trafficking.
Not every initial report receives the same level of detective follow-up. Assignment may depend on the seriousness of the offense, available evidence, identifiable suspects, witnesses and whether meaningful investigative leads exist.
Administrative Services Bureau
The Administrative Services Bureau provides the support systems required for daily police operations. Its functions include the Financial Services Division, Records and Property/Evidence Division, Professional Standards Division and Dispatch & Emergency Communications support.
Administrative responsibilities include:
- Maintaining police reports and related records
- Processing and storing evidence and property
- Word processing and report transcription
- Internal affairs and professional standards
- Training, recruiting and hiring support
- Financial and budget administration
- Emergency and non-emergency communications support
The Records Unit is a major public contact point for non-emergency administrative services. It maintains incident, crime and arrest reports, citations, traffic collision reports, arrest files, subpoenas and other police documentation.
What County Is Oxnard Police Department In?
The Oxnard Police Department is located in Ventura County, California. OPD is a municipal police agency serving the City of Oxnard. It is separate from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, which performs countywide sheriff functions and operates county detention facilities.
This distinction becomes important after an arrest. Oxnard Police may make the arrest and conduct the criminal investigation, while continued detention and inmate-custody services are handled through the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Once a person has entered county custody, jail location, visitation, inmate communication and release questions should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office rather than OPD Records.
Filing an Oxnard Police Report
For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency situations requiring police assistance, call 805-385-7740. The City of Oxnard also provides an online police-report service for incidents that are appropriate for self-reporting.
Online reporting should not be used when immediate police response is needed, when someone is in danger or when the situation is still actively unfolding. In those circumstances, residents should contact dispatch directly.
The department also allows residents to report suspicious activity and provides anonymous crime-reporting options. For example, the department advises callers that they may tell dispatch if they wish to remain anonymous. Spanish-language assistance is available through dispatch when needed.
Some incidents require an officer or investigator because evidence must be collected, a suspect is present or known, a person is injured, a serious violent offense is involved or immediate scene assessment is needed. In those cases, use 911 or the non-emergency dispatch number according to urgency.
Obtaining an Oxnard Police Report
Individual police reports are requested through the Oxnard Police Department Records Unit rather than through the City’s ordinary online public-record portal. The Records Unit can be contacted at 805-385-7650. Its public window is listed as open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and appointments are strongly recommended.
A requester should be prepared to provide information such as:
- Police report or incident number if available
- Date and approximate time of the incident
- Location of the incident
- Names of involved persons
- Type of report being requested
- Identification or authorization when required
California law limits public access to many police investigative records. The City states that individual police reports generally are released only to an involved party, such as a victim, witness, arrestee in qualifying circumstances, or an authorized representative. Records may be redacted or withheld when required by law.
Traffic collision reports are handled separately and are available through the department-approved online crash-report service. Residents who do not know the report number or have questions can contact Records at 805-385-7650.
Property and Evidence
The Property and Evidence Unit receives, catalogs, stores and safeguards evidence and other property submitted to the department. It is responsible for maintaining chain of custody, sending evidence to and from crime laboratories and arranging lawful release or disposition of property.
The Property and Evidence public window operates Monday through Friday by appointment only. For property or evidence questions, call 805-385-7738.
Items held by police can include crime-scene evidence, recovered stolen property, found property, electronic devices, firearms and items held for safekeeping. Evidence needed for an active case generally remains in police custody until investigators, prosecutors or a court authorize release or disposition.
Anyone seeking property should call before visiting and be prepared to provide identification, a case number when available and proof of ownership or authorization if required.
Victim Assistance
OPD’s Family Protection Unit works with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and related crimes. The department also provides victim-advocacy information and works with county agencies and community partners when victims need additional support.
After a case enters the prosecution process, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit can help victims understand the criminal-justice process, obtain referrals, seek available protective orders, pursue restitution-related assistance and connect with other services. The Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit can be reached at 805-654-3622.
Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. Police investigation, prosecution, court services and victim advocacy are separate functions, so the correct contact can change as a case progresses.
Complaints About Oxnard Police Employees
The Oxnard Police Department accepts citizen complaints and commendations concerning department employees. Residents may first contact the Watch Commander or another supervisor. The Watch Commander is available 24 hours a day at 805-385-7746.
If the issue is not resolved through a supervisor, a citizen complaint form can be submitted for administrative investigation. A useful complaint should include as much detail as possible, such as:
- Date and approximate time
- Location of the incident
- Employee name or description if known
- Badge, police vehicle or other identifying information
- Case or citation number if available
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Photographs, video or other supporting material
- A clear description of what occurred
The complaint process is an administrative review process and is separate from criminal charges, traffic citations or court proceedings. Commendations may also be submitted when a resident wants to recognize an employee’s service.
Ventura County Jail Information
The Oxnard Police Department does not operate Ventura County detention facilities. County custody is managed by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. One of the principal county detention facilities is:
- Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility
- 800 South Victoria Avenue
- Ventura, California 93009
- Ventura County Sheriff’s Office main contact: 805-654-2380
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office also operates additional detention facilities, including the Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula. The exact facility housing a particular person can depend on booking, classification, court status and other custody decisions.
Once a person is in county custody, questions about inmate location, visiting, communication, housing or release should be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and its inmate-information services rather than to Oxnard Police Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Oxnard Police non-emergency number?
A: Call 805-385-7740 for non-emergency police dispatch in Oxnard. Call 911 for emergencies, crimes in progress or immediate threats to life or safety.
Q: Where is the Oxnard Police Department located?
A: Police headquarters is at 251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030. The department main line is 805-385-7600.
Q: Can I file an Oxnard police report online?
A: Yes. The City of Oxnard provides an online police-report service for incidents appropriate for self-reporting. Emergencies and situations requiring immediate police response should be reported by phone.
Q: How do I get a copy of an Oxnard police report?
A: Contact the Oxnard Police Department Records Unit at 805-385-7650. Individual police reports are handled through Police Records rather than the City’s general public-record portal.
Q: What county is the Oxnard Police Department in?
A: The department is in Ventura County, California. Oxnard Police is a city police agency and is separate from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Q: Does Oxnard Police operate the county jail?
A: No. Ventura County detention facilities are operated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The Pre-Trial Detention Facility is located at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura.