Lt. Scott Roller takes the helm at the Ramona Sheriff’s substation

Ramona’s new Sheriff’s lieutenant, Scott Roller, spent seven years as a chemist before switching to his law enforcement career 21 years ago.

Roller said he loved science but after having a few of his friends pass away he wasn’t as interested in “chasing after the dollar” where he worked at Alliance Pharmaceuticals and Amylin Pharmaceuticals.

When everything is all said and done, the longtime Chula Vista resident said he wanted to make a difference.

“In the end money didn’t matter and I wanted my life to make a difference,” he said. “So I took a pay cut and joined the Sheriff’s Department. I’m quite happy with my decision.”

Roller joined the Ramona Sheriff’s substation on Sept. 5. He replaces Lt. Alejandro “Alex” Navarro, who was promoted to captain near his home in Alpine after five months in Ramona.

Roller has been a lieutenant for several years, first in the Major Crimes Division and later as a watch commander. His most recent assignment was investigating crimes in the Intelligence Division at the Sheriff’s headquarters in the city of San Diego, he said.

“My goal for Ramona is to maintain it as a safe community,” said Roller, 51. “It already is and I’d like to keep it that way.”

One of his priorities will be addressing traffic issues, which he describes as an “ongoing problem.” Ramona’s deputies are working hand-in-hand with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to coordinate traffic enforcement and related issues, he said.

“The Sheriff’s office in Ramona is working on keeping state Route 67 as safe as possible with extra patrols as well as the city streets,” Roller said.

Shoplifting is also on his radar as a crime tied to homelessness and juvenile offenses. He has a goal to see shoplifting decrease locally as the Ramona substation works with the Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) to provide shelter and resources to the homeless community.

“The average citizen in Ramona doesn’t shoplift,” he said. “It’s usually transients or juveniles.

“HART is actively involved here in Ramona. They’re pretty much a one-stop-shop. They’ve been doing great things, especially in Ramona and they help countywide.”

Other duties include monitoring the development of a new Ramona Sheriff’s substation that is planned for the same site as the current substation.

The new 18,000-square-foot substation at 1424 Montecito Road is estimated to cost roughly $41.5 million. About $7 million in County General Purpose Revenue has been identified for the project and the additional funds require approval by the county Board of Supervisors, said Holly Porter, a San Diego County Sheriff’s Office support services manager.

Roller said to expect announcements about the project and relocating the substation operations to a temporary site during construction in the first quarter of 2026.

“The major project involves the demolition of the current Sheriff’s station and the development of a swing site,” he said. “The whole point is not to spend too much money (on the temporary site). The new site will be the main project.”

Roller said his role will be to ensure the new building is designed so it is functional for public access, officer safety and public safety.

The new lieutenant, who has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from San Diego State University, said he has met with school officials and regularly attends Ramona Community Planning Group meetings to interface with the community.

“I’m open to communicating with the public and listening to their concerns,” said Roller, who practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a stress reliever. “If I can help I will. If I can’t, I’ll tell you.”