Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff 3 years 10 months Public Information Officer (PIO) Apr 2021 - Present1 year 2 months Deputy Sheriff Aug 2018 - Apr 20212 years 9 months Office. You don't serve the master.". She said she would have an ongoing "meet the deputies" program to improve the agency's relationship with the community.Can the candidates straighten out the sheriff's office, restore the public's confidence in its transparency and accountability and reform its jail system?In alphabetical order, here's what they had to say. Jonsen, 59, a Palo Alto resident, has worked in law enforcement for 36 years. Mountain View City Council kicks off process of identifying priority projects for next two years. Other agencies use cellphones, Nextel, or computers," he said. Her failure to produce documents to the county's Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring caused the county Board of Supervisors to unanimously confer a vote of no confidence on her last August.She now faces potential removal from office after being accused by a civil grand jury of corrupt misconduct. Jonsen also touted his efforts to engage with every person on his staff, initiating a one-on-one meeting to gauge their training and experience and areas where they need to improve. County of Santa Clara. Courtesy Nagaye for Sheriff campaign. All California municipal police chiefs may issue CCWs, although some may cede this process to the sheriff. The police auditor now reviews supervisory inquiry investigations, internal employee complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation and any use-of-force investigation where a baton, chemical agent, Taser, less-lethal projectile, canine or firearm is used, or when a subject's injuries as a result of a police use of force require treatment beyond minor medical care in the field, his website noted. But hes far from convinced shes finished. Of more than 700 people who applied for a CCW permit in Santa Clara County in the past six years, records show that fewer than 150 ever received one. The sheriff has come under attack after allegations of abuse and mismanagement in the countys jails. When an application would come in, Cooks said hed notify Glennon or one of their superiors and that was usually the extent of his involvement. Four of the contenders for her seat are law-enforcement veterans, a requirement for the office: Sean Allen, Kevin Jensen, Bob Jonsen and Christine Nagaye. Nagaye's husband is of Japanese ancestry and they have biracial daughters. The fifth candidate, Ahn Colton, 48, lists herself as a mother. When asked about SB 1000, Sen. Josh Becker's bill to limit radio encryption, Jensen expressed caution. Follow her on Twitter at @jennwadsworth. "In the sheriff's office, I was referred to as OJ Simpson," he said. This was how the process worked until last year when the processing of new concealed-carry weapon permits was halted amid the DA investigation. SHERIFF'S OFFICE-CUSTODY BUREAU 180 W. Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95110 Deputy Russell Davis Phone: 408-808-4905 russell.davis@shf.sccgov.org Back to Top D OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY 70 West Hedding Street, West Wing San Jose, CA 95110 Sean Webby Phone: 408-792-2997 swebby@dao.sccgov.org Back to Top E OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT From day one, I would be handing over all documents to the Board of Supervisors and (Independent Police Auditor) Michael Gennaco that they have asked for. Print Edition/Archives He has instituted mindfulness strategies to improve officers' well-being.Jonsen has been criticized, however, for a lack of transparency, including his January 2021 decision to encrypt all police radio communications, without warning, which prevents the media and other members of the public from monitoring and independently verifying incidents and police activity.He took the action due to a 2020 Department of Justice directive that prohibits the public dissemination of personally identifiable information such as names and driver's license numbers. Despite the city's settlements for excessive force by his department, Jonsen noted that the city paid out less than $1 million compared to the county, which has paid more than $20 million. A high number of mentally ill and the unhoused need more access to social services, education, treatment and housing, she said. The city also paid out $135,000 after a Palo Alto officer directed a K-9 to repeatedly bite a man who was sleeping in a shed during a manhunt for a kidnapping suspect.Another man, Julio Arevalo, filed a $10 million federal lawsuit after an officer slammed him to the ground and shattered his eye-socket bone in 2019. He supports more mental health care facilities for inmates with psychiatric conditions. He would establish school-outreach programs to educate children on crime prevention, gang activity, substance abuse, internet crimes and other offenses to which they can become prey. "The biggest is honesty. Jensen also reportedly took private meetings with VIP applicants outside the Sheriffs Office, sometimes at a nearby Starbucks or Jamba Juice on Coleman Avenue. Otherwise, "we're going to continue to fail those human beings," he said. Allen said he would be a hands-on sheriff. I understand the complexities," he said.He is the only candidate who has been at the helm of a law-enforcement agency, he noted.Some of his initiatives in Palo Alto include forming a community advisory committee, which helped inform his relationship with residents and to understand their concerns. "Custody has one budget and enforcement has another. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. California Penal Code Sec. If you've had an incident, be honest and let me know. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith speaks during a news conference May 26. A sheriff's captain was among four people indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges as part of an election campaign scandal tied to Santa Clara County Sheriff. "I know where the bad apples are. When Palo Alto had 13 vacancies, they were quickly filled when officers were given enhanced opportunities and there were more chances to grow professionally, he said. In the 20 years I've been in this agency I only used pepper spray one time and I was ordered to use it," she said. "One of the first things he would do is work on changing the culture in law enforcement toward being forthcoming about bad players and incidents they see while on the job. The sheriff said her office may consider releasing the requested information in the case as long as there are no negative repercussions to the victims and their families. But the biggest driver of CCW applications, by far, according to Glennon, was Capt. Allen said he would also focus on proper training of deputies in de-escalation techniques so that uses of force and weapons are last responses. Would you see if they lived in the county?, Would you send them a letter telling them you got it, you are not getting it?, As PIO, Glennon said hed often field calls from frustrated applicants checking on the status of their permits. The grand jury testimony gives the first inside look at the casual way the process worked: Jensen would make house calls to deliver VIPs their gun-permit paperwork, at least once to a judge, and in a few instances, to players for the San Jose Sharks. The fifth candidate, Ahn Colton, 48, lists herself as a mother. "Management is the first place you have to start to change the culture," Allen said. "I'm 100% in favor of full transparency. They don't want someone peeking behind the curtain," he said.As sheriff, he would work to change the department's culture starting at the top through internal review and investigations and by improving training and evaluations.Jensen said he would work to build bridges with the community through greater transparency and communication.Encryption of police-scanner communicationsWhen asked about SB 1000, Sen. Josh Becker's bill to limit radio encryption, Jensen expressed caution. 12k Followers, 456 Following, 1,322 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office (@santaclarasheriff) santaclarasheriff. She would also make sure that all officers rotate among enforcement and custody positions so they have a well-rounded view of inmates and a broad range of experiences. 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Santa Clara County sheriff candidates Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. I'm not above anything. Both he and West knew it was notoriously difficult to get concealed-gun licenses in Santa Clara County. Another man, Julio Arevalo, filed a $10 million federal lawsuit after an officer slammed him to the ground and shattered his eye-socket bone in 2019. As sheriff, he would make mental health treatment a priority and would work collaboratively with other police agencies and county and state agencies to address issues that lead to incarceration, including homelessness, substance abuse and mental illness. As the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office remains embroiled in controversy, five candidates vying for Sheriff Laurie Smith's seat will be tasked with proving they can restore public confidence in the law enforcement agency. I just kind of tried to figure it out on my own, Low said. SantaClaraCoSheriff Retweeted Advertising Info If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live, A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? I'm the only candidate working the line. Jensen said he would work to build bridges with the community through greater transparency and communication. While favoring "true transparency and information sharing," he also warned that there won't be enough staffing in the near future to accommodate separate encrypted communications about searches of databases for protected personal information. Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. He also understands both sides of the law due to his early arrest and the racism he has encountered within the system.He has extensive experience working in corrections and as a trainer and isn't shy about standing up for what he believes in and speaking out about the improvements he believes are needed. The city has also faced a number of lawsuits during Jonsen's tenure, alleging excessive use of force by Palo Alto officers. Blogs Otherwise, your forms go into a filing cabinet on the fourth floor of the sheriffs Younger Avenue office, never to be looked at again. "I am the only candidate to call for ending the encryption of radios, and I have been calling for the end of this policy since launching my campaign. It's being mismanaged now because people in command-staff positions are without a degree in finance and economics," she said. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! He would tell his deputies: "Follow the mission. Required fields are marked *. Follow. "I have a proven record for establishing strong community policing programs and developing strategic solutions," he said. Her father-in-law doesn't know if he will be targeted when he goes out. By showing our complete transparency, it's going to build trust in the community again. In testifying before Braker some days later, Sgt. We can do training and have verbal discussions. Jensen said reform depends on the right leadership. "Jensen met his wife at Bible college and they married at age 19. A job prospect led him to San Jose, where his wife spotted a recruitment sign for deputy sheriffs. "A lot of people are duck-and-cover and think they have to be blindly loyal to get ahead," he said.He would also work to build trust in the community between deputies and residents so they will feel more comfortable reporting crimes.Jail reform and use of forceJensen is "100% for front-end mental health services" that help keep people safe and out of jail. Crime and Public Safety | "It's so lacking. I had no discretion whether or not somebody were to get a permit. "I've done about every job you can do. Laurie Smith (born June 21, 1952) was the 28th Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California, serving from 1998 until her early retirement in 2022 when under indictment for corruption. A high number of mentally ill and the unhoused need more access to social services, education, treatment and housing, she said. Attorney Directory - Office of the District Attorney - County of Santa Clara Home FAQ Attorney Directory Attorney Directory District Attorney Jeffrey F. Rosen Phone: (408) 299-3099 Fax: (408) 287- 5076 Email: jrosen@dao.sccgov.org Read More Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky Phone: (408) 299-3099 Email: jboyarsky@dao.sccgov.org Sitting in an office all day would drive me nuts. The trial against Smith stems . But he observed that some applications were handled differently. As sheriff, he would work to instill a culture and ethic that is "beyond a warrior mentality." Please DO NOT use this. According to Cooks, applications from prosecutors, judges, elected officials, San Jose Sharks players and other VIPs typically came through Capt. He looks for people who are willing to do the right thing even if it's not popular, he said. Did you feel a little awkward pulling out a gun at Starbucks and showing it to Captain Jensen? Deputy District Attorney John Chase asked Sanders when he testified later before a criminal grand jury. TheSixFifty.com 70 West Hedding Street East Wing, 11th Floor San Jose, CA 95110. I was essentially doing clerical work.. Crime and Public Safety | He would increase contracts with service providers and faith-based organizations to provide mental health assistance. Are safe consumption sites part of the solution to SF's drug overdose crisis? There needs to be accurate information, not conjecture., On Monday, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo called on Smith who was first elected in 1998 to resign. Terms of Use A&E My mother-in-law calls me and asks, 'What is best time to go shopping?'" At that point, in accordance with California law, its ultimately up to the sheriff in each jurisdiction to decide whether to grant it. Smiths close aide, Capt. He has instituted mindfulness strategies to improve officers' well-being. I can bring together diverse groups of people. Kevin Jensen A well-rounded retiree who wants to rebuild trust"Everyone has a story," retired Santa Clara County Sheriff's Capt. Who better to have in place to find where this money is going? "The California Highway Patrol and LAPD have shown that there are ways to work around the issues that have been brought up. Nowhere in the transcripts is there testimony that explicitly links Smith to the alleged scheme, beyond her statutory authority as the only person in her office who can approve CCW permits. Embarcadero Media file photo by Magali Gauthier. Listen to each of them answer questions from the public. In early 2022, Smith retired while under grand jury corruption charges and after a unanimous vote of no confidence by the county Board of Supervisors. While I am in favor of these efforts towards transparency, I want to ensure that they will be implemented without delay in receiving vital database returns or in any way jeopardizing officers or victims due to such delays," he said. If you want to attack the sheriff for trying to do a job that jails are not ever intended to be, treatment facilities for mentally ill people, youre going to have problems.. Jonsen acknowledged that excessive-force incidents have occurred, but he said they have been thoroughly reviewed and the involved officers were held accountable, including the departure of officers who were found culpable. It doesn't always need to be a disciplinary approach. It goes a long way. "I was booked, stripped and housed on the same floor where Michael Tyree got murdered," he said, referring to a mentally ill inmate who was beaten to death by sheriff's deputies in 2015.He didn't let his experience embitter him. Why she says she's the best-qualified candidate. He is a former Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association board member and a lifelong martial artist and instructor. The early defining experience of his arrest taught him about the perspectives of people with criminal records and about how racism and stereotyping can destroy lives. "I'm a talker. Bob Jonsen A track record as a leader, but not without his critics. The grand jury convened July 20 of this year and handed down its indictments Aug. 6. [1] She was convicted in November. "It's scary. Ending this policy, which has been adopted by many agencies around the state, is one of the first steps to regaining public trust through transparency, not to mention to support the freedom of the press as protected in the First Amendment," she said. As sheriff, he would work to instill a culture and ethic that is "beyond a warrior mentality." Sean Allen He's experienced both sides of law enforcementWhen he was 19 years old, Sean Allen was wrongfully accused, briefly incarcerated and ultimately exonerated in Santa Clara County for a crime he didn't commit. As coordinator of the Antelope Valley Crime Fighting Initiative, his programs reduced crime by 29%, and the initiative received the statewide James Q. Wilson Award for Community Policing in 2010, he said.Jonsen moved north to become Menlo Park's police chief in 2013, and then he became Palo Alto's chief in 2018. I'm a veteran, a woman and I married a man of color and I'm a LGBTQ ally. "Unfortunately, three of the victims inside the house were pronounced deceased at the scene. Provide setup and assist runners at Santa Cruz Island Eco Half Marathon, a race organized to raise funds for the Sheriff's Search and Rescue charity (October 2011-Present) Licenses & Certifications "We have to earn it. The city also paid out $135,000 after a Palo Alto officer directed a K-9 to repeatedly bite a man who was sleeping in a shed during a manhunt for a kidnapping suspect. When asked who was the driving force in processing CCWs, former PIO Richard Glennon testified, Captain Jensen by far. But Glennons clear understanding was that Jensen was acting at Smiths behest. "Putting mentally ill people in jail with a bunch of cops (is a bad idea). 2,995 were here. "We sent detectives and crime scene investigators to the residence to conduct a full and thorough investigation," Sgt. Christine Nagaye A reformer who supports 'full transparency'. There he handed over a $45,000 check made out to the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, a pro-Smith independent expenditure committee whose finances were co-managed by Schumb. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt. Thursday, Judge Eric Geffon. Shortly after Smiths 2018 re-election her most competitive contest to date the Metro newspaper asked the DAs office about the $45,000 donation. If the records clean, they can sign up for a class to prove firearm proficiency. During her training sessions, Nagaye said she focuses on getting deputies to stop thinking about "going hands on" with inmates as a first resort. Even if force is used, I have high expectations that my officers know the laws," he said. The sheriff has come under attack after allegations of abuse and mismanagement in the county's jails. Hm, a virtual interview from the Hawaiian Islands is being scheduled???? The deal came out to $90,000 in donations in exchange for 10-12 CCW permits, Nielsen and West testified. Jensen met his wife at Bible college and they married at age 19. "Law enforcement has always had a problem with that. 456 following. When he was 19 years old, Sean Allen was wrongfully accused, briefly incarcerated and ultimately exonerated in Santa Clara County for a crime he didn't commit. It doesn't always need to be a disciplinary approach. Jonsen also touted his efforts to engage with every person on his staff, initiating a one-on-one meeting to gauge their training and experience and areas where they need to improve. Redwood City Pulse, 2023 Mountain View Online Your email address will not be published. RELATED: Are safe consumption sites part of the solution to SF's drug overdose crisis? Santa Clara County: Who can build trust? He has attended city Human Relations Commission meetings and other community meetings to discuss concerns in a transparent manner and started the community advisory committee, which meets with him in private, to also address citizens' concerns. She also supports the Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT). The number one change she would make as sheriff is increasing transparency. Of more than 700 people who applied for a CCW permit in Santa Clara County in the past six years, records show that fewer than 150 ever received one. There's already a common practice in law enforcement to switch to a different channel for private conversations. Christine Nagaye. Well, the campaign where the money went had a media spokesperson as well. Thinking you can't be held accountable is narcissistic. Previously, Hernandez was a summer intern for The Times in 2021, during which she covered general assignments on the Metro desk. She would retrain more deputies who are on patrol in these skills and add more mental health services onto PERT teams.TransparencyShe supports appointing a civilian watchdog to audit law-enforcement practices and management.

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