SAN JOSE, Calif. - Just days after former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith retired, she was found guilty of six civil counts of corruption and willful conduct. She was born and raised in Miami and is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she studied journalism and environmental science. 12k Followers, 456 Following, 1,322 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office (@santaclarasheriff) santaclarasheriff. Courtesy photos. That's why I'm great for this position. James Jensen, attorneys Harpaul Nahal and Christopher Schumb and gun dealer Michael Nichols go to trial on Nov. 2. He has served in patrol, the gang unit, as a reserve training officer, administrative training officer, emergency response team leader and training officer, housing unit training officer in the jails and academy instructor. A job prospect led him to San Jose, where his wife spotted a recruitment sign for deputy sheriffs. I have nothing to hide. Regarding the office's use of its budget, Nagaye said that if elected, "I would hire a forensic accountant to find out where the pitfalls are with money. If someone is getting into the job so they can chase a person, they aren't right for the job, he said. "I know where the bad apples are. Santa Clara County voters will choose between five candidates for sheriff in the June 2022 primary election. When someone sent an application through the mail or dropped it off at the Sheriffs Office headquarters off of Younger Avenue in San Jose, Glennon said hed log the information on a spreadsheet and then file it. I can bring together diverse groups of people. They don't want someone peeking behind the curtain," he said. "Jensen met his wife at Bible college and they married at age 19. Last week, two members of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors called for an investigation into Smith and the Sheriffs Office after the injuries and deaths of jail inmates. Nagaye said she believes in de-escalation techniques and training deputies to talk people in crisis down. 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Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office - Instagram Instead, he chose a career in law enforcement so he could institute reforms while keeping the public safe, he said. Calls friendship with Christopher Schumb a fatal conflict that cannot be ignored and impediment to fair trial. On Aug. 31, on the first arraignment date for the case. "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. 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. Why she says she's the best-qualified candidate. Encryption of police-scanner communications. He would have a no-tolerance policy for corruption, discrimination or misconduct, including racist, sexist or homophobic speech and actions.Allen said he would work to create a culture in which anyone in the sheriff's office could come forward to report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith's election in 1998 as California's first female sheriff signaled the end of the good old boys' network, at least as appearances go. Allen says his broad experience as a patrol cop, training officer, jail officer and in the gang unit and as an investigator make him the most well-rounded candidate for sheriff. On April 21, the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara hosted a forum for the five candidates for Sheriff of Santa Clara County: Sean Donte Allen, Kevin Jensen, Robert "Bob Jonsen, Christine Nagaye, Anh T. Colton (unable to attend). The number one change she would make as sheriff is increasing transparency. to avoid being attacked, she said. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith speaks during a news conference May 26. Santa Clara County sheriff candidates Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. I would take things to heart and they would get an answer," she said. The first witness in the civil corruption trial against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith testified Friday. Did you come up with that explanation on your own or is that something that Capt. As sheriff, he would work to instill a culture and ethic that is "beyond a warrior mentality." "For 27 years, I worked for a sheriff's organization. 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. News Personal attorneys for Smith and Sung have said their clients have no culpability in the indicted crimes. Jonsen said he would also address lagging recruitment and retention of deputies and staff. Sheriff Smith reportedly stopped issuing them in 2018 after Rosen began serving search warrants to find links between political donations and the concealed-carry permits. That would be a violation of state law, which requires a response be given within 90 days. But the biggest driver of CCW applications, by far, according to Glennon, was Capt. He would support deputizing mental health professionals to work in the jails. If the board of supervisors says 'Why are you doing this?' Nagaye said she would invest in much more training and in a training unit. It came with an implicit message: Pay up, and soon youll be packing heat. The trial against Smith stems . Its a stretch to ask voters to believe that these are all altruistic decisions by the defendants, Percival said. Law Enforcement Agency - Serving & Protecting since 1850 - Follow us on Facebook & Twitter He has been an independent consultant since his retirement and has taught new recruits and law-enforcement managers. Linda Wallace testified that she was secretary in the sheriff's office. Well, the campaign where the money went had a media spokesperson as well. To support the entire operation, the Department employs 223 non-sworn, civilian staff. "Putting mentally ill people in jail with a bunch of cops (is a bad idea). [5] Two more inmates escaped from custody in Palo Alto in November 2017.[6]. Three people were found dead and one was transported to a hospital after a suspected fentanyl overdose in unincorporated Gilroy. Otherwise, your forms go into a filing cabinet on the fourth floor of the sheriffs Younger Avenue office, never to be looked at again. "Based on the evidence that we retrieve, if we have enough information to link this back to a person responsible to this incident, there will be homicide charges that will be sent over to the district attorney's office. She would provide social workers and inmate education to help address issues that cause recidivism.There's also a need to get more money for social services, she said. 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. She said she would have an ongoing "meet the deputies" program to improve the agency's relationship with the community. As sheriff, he would work to instill a culture and ethic that is "beyond a warrior mentality." You have to stand up to the standards to which you took an oath," he said. That's why I'm great for this position.". County of Santa Clara (@SCCgov) / Twitter (Questions and website comments) Service Units Directory. According to Glennon, Jensen was active in running campaign events. A high number of mentally ill and the unhoused need more access to social services, education, treatment and housing, she said. Circulation & Delivery Mobile site. https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sheriff/Pages/ccw.aspx: The Sheriff may issue a license to any person residing within Santa Clara County. SHERIFF'S OFFICE-CUSTODY BUREAU 180 W. Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95110 Deputy Russell Davis Phone: 408-808-4905 [email protected] 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 [email protected] Back to Top E OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Jethro Moore, chaplain of Buffalo Soldiers Silicon Valley Chapter and the Silicon Valley NAACP immediate past president; Eric Taylor, retired assistant sheriff; and multiple retired sheriff's deputies.Website: seanallenforsheriff.comWhy he says he's the best-qualified candidateAllen says his broad experience as a patrol cop, training officer, jail officer and in the gang unit and as an investigator make him the most well-rounded candidate for sheriff. She supports appointing a civilian watchdog to audit law-enforcement practices and management. "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. Wed, Mar 01, 2023 . Despite these changes, and the full encryption of radio communications, Jonsen said he recognizes that the media "is crucial in building trust with the community.". Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office - YouTube The Sheriff's Office has been dogged by allegations of corruption. Obituaries, Send News Tips 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. One male was revived with Narcan and was transported to a local hospital.". 70 West Hedding Street East Wing, 11th Floor San Jose, CA 95110. He would also work to build trust in the community between deputies and residents so they will feel more comfortable reporting crimes. The change meant that disputes that involve two officers including an incident in which a police captain was accused of using a racial slur would be privately investigated by the Human Resources Department and screened from the public.In 2021, after outcry from the public about the council's approval of the change, Jonsen complied with the council's reversal of the prior decision. On July 20the first day of criminal grand jury proceedings to hear evidence in what Santa Clara County DA Jeff Rosen believes was a bribery conspiracyDeputy District Attorney Matt Braker had just finished laying out the prosecutions theories when he called first witness to the stand: Sgt. These positions are broken down as follows: In addition to the full-time sworn staff, the Sheriff's Office has 65 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. Garrick Percival, chair of the political science department at San Jose State University, said the public will be skeptical that the defendants acted on their own despite needing Smiths signature to carry out the plot, especially given that shes faced a multitude of accusations and lawsuits over the issue in the past. Bob Jonsen A track record as a leader, but not without his criticsBob Jonsen, Palo Alto's police chief, is vying for a job once held by his great-uncle, Jonathan Sweigert, who was Santa Clara County sheriff from 1887 to 1891. When asked for his stance on whether full encryption of radio communications is necessary, Allen said: "Radio encryption is just another way to prevent being transparent by law-enforcement agencies. Jensen said he grew up in a dysfunctional household with a troubled father who ended up incarcerated. 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. He announced his retirement this year and plans to step down in mid-June. With election day less than a week away, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's race is down to two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. Jonsen served as chief with Palo Alto Police Department starting in 2018, following five years as police . Best coffee city in the world? Early life and education [ edit] Sheriffs Before Smith Gave Supporters CCW Permits In late 2012, he served as the initiative's statewide risk-program manager. In testifying before Braker some days later, Sgt. "Law enforcement has always had a problem with that. 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. Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. It doesn't always need to be a disciplinary approach. Woman killed in motorcycle crash on San Antonio Road, Community briefs: Affordable housing project groundbreaking, planning for the future of COVID vaccines and the DA's annual awards, Newsom rescinds COVID state of emergency. In his testimony to the grand jury, Wasserman insisted he simply didnt remember how he fulfilled the firearms safety requirement to carry two concealed pistols. Please see the flyers for more information. She said she is concerned about hate crimes, which have dramatically increased in the Bay Area. Bob Jonsen A track record as a leader, but not without his critics. Sign up for our. Shes an avid lover of golden retrievers and Rocky Road ice cream. "It's so lacking. "I understand the need for community-based, world-class law enforcement. [2], On August 27, 2015, mentally-ill inmate Michael Tyree was beaten to death[3] by three jail guards. "Allen said he would be a hands-on sheriff. 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.Communities of colorJensen, whose wife is Hispanic, said he would sit down with members of the public, particularly the underserved, to work on problems and gain trust. Our office supports first responders, including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical . "Don't be afraid to bring someone else in," she said, to help de-escalate or assess the situation. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) Santa Clara County's top cop, Sheriff Laurie Smith, is in hot water because a civil grand jury leveled seven counts of . She would hold instructors accountable for the end results if employees are not properly trained, she said. Get the latest local news and information sent straight to your inbox. Bob Jonsen, Palo Alto's police chief, is vying for a job once held by his great-uncle, Jonathan Sweigert, who was Santa Clara County sheriff from 1887 to 1891. 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. I've had a really well-rounded career," he said, noting he was also assistant chief of the Department of Corrections running the jail before it was taken over by Smith.If elected, he would be a different kind of sheriff from Smith, who had once been his professional partner. Jensen worked in the sheriff's office for more than 29 years, retiring in 2013. Robert Durr or the sheriff herself. Uploaded: Fri, Apr 29, 2022, 12:04 pm The agency has been stingy with the privilege about 150 permits were issued or renewed between 2014 and 2019, out of over 750 applications. You don't serve the master. All California municipal police chiefs may issue CCWs, although some may cede this process to the 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. "The earliest memory I have is of people bringing food," he said. Required fields are marked *. She would hold instructors accountable for the end results if employees are not properly trained, she said.Regarding the office's use of its budget, Nagaye said that if elected, "I would hire a forensic accountant to find out where the pitfalls are with money. Attorney Directory - Office of the District - County of Santa Clara He would also work to instill an ethic of maturity and patience in correctional facility officers, who often face trying circumstances with defiant inmates, he said.He said that the sheriff's office should still run the jail, but he is willing to listen to members of the Board of Supervisors who think it should go back to the way it was before Smith took control. Courtesy Nagaye for Sheriff campaign. Endorsements: Wide ranging, including the Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriffs' Association, Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association, multiple fire and police groups and individuals, including retired Palo Alto police Chief Dennis Burns. SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- The polls may be closed . Previously, Hernandez was a summer intern for The Times in 2021, during which she covered general assignments on the Metro desk. 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. Even if force is used, I have high expectations that my officers know the laws," he said. County of Santa Clara. Smiths close aide, Capt. This forum recording is the property of the . He would institute listening sessions with the community and hear about any problems people have with deputies or other personnel, he said. Home & Real Estate Agencies & Departments - Official Website - County of Santa Clara He would be going to a lot of the lunches. "It's so lacking. Can California's power grid handle a 15-fold increase in electric cars? The investigation found that Christian West, then CEO of the Seattle-based executive security firm AS Solution, and AS executive projects manager Martin Nielsen had begun discussing how they could get permits for their security employees after a frightening April 2018 shooting at the YouTube campus in San Bruno. It's being mismanaged now because people in command-staff positions are without a degree in finance and economics," she said. Smith said during a news conference that an in-depth review is necessary to get the true facts.. Her father-in-law doesn't know if he will be targeted when he goes out. It was the first prosecutors had heard of it, and they dug in. "Unfortunately, three of . 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. Her position was if she had the application but never started the background, she was within the Penal Code, he said. "In the sheriff's office, I was referred to as OJ Simpson," he said.The false arrest "gave me the determination to become a law enforcement officer who is fair, just and treats everyone I encounter equally. I would be there and listening," she said. I represent the diversity of Santa Clara County. San Jose, CA 95110. If the records clean, they can sign up for a class to prove firearm proficiency. As sheriff, he said, he would continue community policing and engage in outreach to help all areas of the community. The sheriff should hold his or herself to the same standards as the public. Otherwise, "we're going to continue to fail those human beings," he said. "I have a proven record for establishing strong community policing programs and developing strategic solutions," he said.Jonsen launched the Palo Alto Police Department's Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) last November, which pairs an officer with a licensed mental health clinician from the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department to provide rapid intervention to people in a mental health crisis. Is a 2020 Biden and Harris Ticket Good for Cannabis Legalization? Crime and Public Safety | The Sheriff's Office - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara Four days later, Nielsen, now cooperating with the DA and carrying a cellphone equipped with a recording app, met with Jensen at Starbucks. Feds drop felony gun case days after defense argued SFPD illegally arrested, searched defendant However, persons residing in a municipality other than those served by the Sheriffs Office are encouraged to first contact their local police chief and apply for the license. We can do training and have verbal discussions. All defendants have denied charges of wrongdoing and plan to fight the case. 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. "Between enforcement and custody, there are 1,200 deputies, but it's rare to see someone in an executive position come down and talk to the people. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith speaks during a news conference May 26. There have been twenty-eight persons serving in the capacity of Sheriff since 1850. 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.Jail reform and use of forceDespite 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. "The California Highway Patrol and LAPD have shown that there are ways to work around the issues that have been brought up. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt. Christine Nagaye has used challenges throughout her life to achieve her goals. Thursday, Judge Eric Geffon rejected a defense motion to disqualify District Attorney Jeff Rosen based on his past friendship with and fundraising support from Schumb. How safe is your neighborhood? Express / Weekend Express 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. Santa Clara County has paid out at least $20 million in settlements for the serious injury and deaths of mentally ill inmates under Sheriff Smith. The Starbucks on Coleman Avenue and Taylor Street in San Jose, a five-minute drive from sheriffs headquarters, was practically a satellite office for preferred gun permits, although one meeting, involving the alleged deal at the heart of the current indictment, happened on outdoor tables at the Jamba Juice next door the Starbucks was closed. I'm the only candidate working the line. Newsroom - County of Santa Clara While she fights the charges against her, Smith, 69, has decided not to run for reelection in the 2022 race after 24 years at the helm.The sheriff oversees more than $188 million and 711 staff members (and an additional 1,080 staff and $200.6 million for the Department of Corrections). In a Silicon Valley Public Accountability Foundation questionnaire of the candidates, Colton framed her responses in Constitutional terms: The sheriff protects the citizens and upholds their Constitutional rights. He also supports the establishment of a civilian review board with subpoena power to investigate misconduct allegations. She's used competitive body building to push herself to new heights. "Law enforcement has always had a problem with that. Can California's power grid handle a 15-fold increase in electric cars? Cain Velasquez Arrested, Charged With Attempted Murder Over - Newsweek "I'm 100% in favor of full transparency. 456 following. The fifth candidate, Ahn Colton, 48, lists herself as a mother. It's embarrassing, everything that has come out in the past 3 to 15 years," she said. And the issue that has drawn the strongest scrutiny is the sheriffs allocation of concealed-carry weapon permits, the licenses that allow civilians to legally carry handguns in public. Otherwise, "we're going to continue to fail those human beings," he said.Transparency"Management is the first place you have to start to change the culture," Allen said.He would search for management-level staff outside of the department when hiring to break up cronyism, he said. On July 21, 2019, DA investigators pulled over Nielsens car and served him with a search warrant for his home. 26205 requires sheriffs to process CCW petitions within 90 days of receiving them or a month after clearing a backgroundwhichever comes later. 12K followers. Smith invoked her Fifth Amendment rightagainst self-incrimination and refused to testify to the grand jury. Whether on the street or in the jail, officers need to act with integrity, Jensen said. The Sheriffs media people handled the CCW requests. About Us - Office of Emergency Management - County of Santa Clara Michael Low described feeling much the same way when he came to the PIO position as a deputy in early 2019. The most important quality she wants in her deputies. Marleen Canniff - Communications Manager - County of Ventura - LinkedIn Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Office of the Sheriff. "My exposure to these things has given me a different insight," he said. She enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, became a medic and served five years of active duty. I'm the only candidate working the line. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt. Sean Allen He's experienced both sides of law enforcement. Even when he caught a red flag, such as out-of-county home addresses on applications handed off by Capt.