THE REPORT ITSELF IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS - AN OVERVIEW OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WITH EMPHASIS UPON BUDGET AND STAFFING PATTERNS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS; AN ANALYSIS OF CURRENT PATROL NEEDS TOGETHER WITH A DISCUSSION OF A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT MAY UTILIZE IN ENSUING YEARS; AND SOME GENERAL COMMENTS ON OBSERVED ORGANIZATIONAL AND RELATED NEEDS OR PROBLEMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. THE BASIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WAS FOUND TO BE SOUND. SUGGESTIONS FOR REALIGNMENT AND ADJUSTMENT ARE OFFERED TO STRENGTHEN AND ADD STABILITY TO THE EXISTING FRAMEWORK. THE PRINCIPAL THRUST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO INCREASE THE USE OF CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES IN POSITIONS WHERE SUCH USE IS WARRANTED WITH AN EYE TOWARD EVENTUAL REDUCTION OF SWORN PERSONNEL ON THE DEPARTMENT.