Seventh Member
Safety Board Member

Elected by Safety Members
Term: 07/01/2024- 06/30/2027

Deputy Sheriff Richard Oates was elected for his first term as the Safety Member on May 18, 2021, and was certified to serve by the Orange County Board of Supervisors on May 25, 2021. He began his first term on the OCERS Board of Retirement on July 1, 2021.

Since beginning his career in law enforcement in 2001, Mr. Oates was promoted to Sergeant on October 22, 2021. He has served in various roles within Custody and Patrol Operations for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Oates is also a Board Member of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS), serving as Vice President.