SANTA ANA, Calif. – As we honor the nation’s fallen law enforcement officers during National Police Week, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce the creation of its Crimes Against Peace Officers Unit.

This new unit will be overseen by the office’s Special Prosecutions, an elite unit within the District Attorney’s Office dedicated to seeking justice in the highest profile cases. The Crimes Against Peace Officers Unit will be dedicated to prosecuting crimes in which a sworn law enforcement officer is victimized while on duty. The unit will have prosecutors designated to handle these cases.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has prosecuted nearly 1,000 cases over the last three years in which a police officer was the victim of a crime. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer was recently approached by the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs to dedicate specialized prosecutors to handle cases in which police officers were victimized.

“With the continual assaults our law enforcement members face in the field, jail and detention facilities, we are glad the District Attorney has listened to our concerns and taken the steps to form a unit to vertically prosecute those who attack our peace officers,” said Juan Viramontes, president of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs.

“As we mourn the loss of 135 law enforcement officers across the nation who paid the ultimate sacrifice last year, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is committing to prosecuting crimes against peace officers with the highest level of care,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Law enforcement has become increasingly dangerous as social justice advocates continue to campaign for reduced incarceration and reduced consequences for those who break the law. With more criminals being released back to our streets and state prisoners being housed in county jails, our law enforcement officers are at risk like never before. With the creation this year of the Crimes Against Peace Officers Unit, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office will ensure that criminals who victimize the very people sworn to protect and serve will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will never forget the 53 Orange County peace officers who laid down their lives protecting us.”