Since it was founded in 1850, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) has had a long history here in Southern California, being instrumental in bringing law and order to the Los Angeles basin during the Gold Rush era.  As the largest Sheriff's Department in the world and the seventh-largest law enforcement agency in the United States (behind such agencies as the NYPD, California Department of Corrections, Chicago PD, and the FBI), the LASD patrols areas from the beaches of Malibu to the west and the deserts of the Antelope Valley to the north, to the mountains of San Dimas to the east and the flat urban areas of Compton to the south.  The nation's first female deputy and the nation's first full-time female law enforcement pilot were both part of the LASD.

Forty-two cities in the County, including both Lancaster and Palmdale, contract with the LASD for law enforcement services.  In addition all unincorporated areas of the County are patrolled by the LASD.

For forty years after the founding of the LASD, "local law enforcement" didn't really exist in the Antelope Valley due to a lack of population.  That all changed in 1890 with the election of Lancaster's first Constable, Mace Mays.  From that time on until the Antelope Valley's first official Sheriff's station was constructed, Sheriff's offices were generally located in the back of other businesses such as bars and car dealerships.  The first local jail house was constructed around 1900 along Lancaster Boulevard.

Lancaster Station was opened in 1937 at the southwest corner of Avenue J and 10th Street West, the same year that two-way radio service was first instituted by the Department.  In 1961 the station's name changed to Antelope Valley Station, and remained that until 1996 when it was moved to its current location at Lancaster Boulevard and Sierra Highway and renamed Lancaster Station, four years after Palmdale Station was dedicated.

Lancaster Sheriff's Station is one of the largest in the County.  The station has the largest patrol area at over 600 square miles, covering the entire northeast portion of the County; deputies patrol from Neenach to the west (meeting up with Santa Clarita Station's patrol area), up to County line to the north and east (meeting up with Kern County at Avenue A and San Bernadino County out past Lake Los Angeles, respectively), and down to Palmdale Station's patrol area to the south.  The communities of Antelope Acres, Hi Vista, Roosevelt, and most of Quartz Hill are included in this patrol area.

Many opportunities for community involvement exist at the Station.  Citizens who wish to know more about the Sheriff's Department and would like to get a taste of what day-to-day operations are like may sign up for a ride-along, while those who would like to give back to their community by supporting their local law enforcement may apply to become volunteers.

The Deputy Explorer Program has created a volunteer partnership between youths in our community and law enforcement. The explorers, between 16 and 20 years of age, receive extensive training in an academy setting. They then participate in community affairs and non-hazardous law enforcement activities. Additionally, the LASD Community Academy is a free 12-week course designed to give everyday citizens an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the Sheriff's Department. Lastly, the Antelope Valley Sheriff's Boosters help raise money to provide much needed equipment and financial support to the Lancaster and Palmdale Stations, such as GPS units, extra radios, and specialized vehicles.