Yorba Linda is starting the new year with a new top cop on the force as Captain De Anne Wigginton will take the helm as the Chief of Police Services beginning January 5, the city announced on December 19. The seasoned captain has been a part of the Sheriff's Department since 2004 and is leaping from teaching high school to cracking down on crime.
"I am humbled to be selected and incredibly honored to lead such a dedicated team that works hard every day in service of the community," Captain Wigginton said, in a statement obtained by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. She steps into her new role with a diverse array of experiences under her belt, including stints in Custody Operations, Court Operations, and Patrol Operations.
After earning her stripes as a sergeant in 2019, Wigginton oversaw operations at the Intake Release Center, worked within the Internal Affairs Bureau, and managed Southwest Patrol Operations. Just before her promotion, she was the point person for Special Projects in the Central Jails Division, where she juggled strategic planning, personnel issues, and inmate welfare concerns.
With a reputation for putting the well-being of her peers first, Wigginton has a history of championing employee wellness and professional growth. Not only has she co-coordinated the department’s Peer Support Team, but she also lent her expertise to their mentorship program. Outside the office, Wigginton keeps busy with family, spending time with her husband, Mike, a sergeant with the Sheriff's Department, their two kids, and a trio of pups. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor's in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master's in Law Enforcement Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.
For more details on Captain Wigginton's storied career and what her new role entails, visit the Orange County Sheriff’s website.
