San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus publicly endorsed Proposition 36, supporting harsher consequences for repeat theft and drug-related offenses. He emphasized that reinstating tougher penalties would address rampant shoplifting and crime, and had even written letters to state lawmakers to reinforce his stance.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has begun deploying body-worn cameras at key stations with plans for department-wide implementation by the end of the year. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and community trust through the adoption of modern technology.

On May 9, 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department received approval from the county board of supervisors to acquire multiple pieces of combat hardware—including a Lenco BEARCAT G3 armored truck, an Andros Spartan EOD robot, and a mobile command post. These acquisitions, funded by a mix of county funds, federal asset forfeitures, and contributions from partner cities, reflect a significant escalation in the militarization of the department amid concerns over authoritarian policing practices.

Recent reports indicate that the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's CleanSWEEP program, associated with school disciplinary practices, was found to disproportionately target minority students, particularly Black students. This revelation has prompted a suspension of the program and an investigation led by California State Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The U.S. Department of Justice settled a civil rights lawsuit with a California city and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department over a discriminatory 'crime-free' rental housing program that disproportionately evicted Black and Latino residents. The settlement highlights the department's role in enforcing ordinances that adversely affect marginalized communities.

On December 15, 2022, a landmark settlement was reached in a racial discrimination lawsuit accusing the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department of enforcing a 'crime-free' rental housing program that allegedly discriminated against Black and Latino communities in Hesperia. This resolution marked the first instance requiring the complete end of the program, highlighting longstanding issues of racial bias in enforcement practices.

A complaint filed on May 11, 2022, with the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleges that approximately $36,000 in donations to Sheriff Shannon Dicus’ campaign were suspect, including contributions from defunct or questionable business entities. The allegations raise concerns about transparency in campaign finances and the potential for undue influence in public office.

On May 11, a public interest activist from the National Action Network filed a complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleging that Sheriff Shannon Dicus’ campaign finance records omitted required donor street addresses, a lapse that violates Government Code Section 84211 and raises concerns about transparency in campaign contributions. Although the FPPC ultimately rejected the complaint without pursuing enforcement action, the filing highlighted critical issues of donor identification that could obscure the true sources of campaign funds.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Employees Assn contributed $1,500 to federal candidates during the 2021-2022 election cycle, reflecting political engagement by a law enforcement-affiliated organization.