I would take things to heart and they would get an answer," she said. 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. Help sustain the local news you depend on. I have nothing to hide. Nagaye supports having a civilian watchdog to audit law enforcement practices and the management of the county jails. Email: publicin formation@dao.sccgov.org. Other agencies use cellphones, Nextel, or computers," he said. She's used competitive body building to push herself to new heights. Newly-elected Santa Clara County Sheriff start early in wake of The department is also documenting microaggressions to track hate-incident patterns to proactively intervene before they escalate to crimes. 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. 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. Sergeant Russell Davis says fentanyl is the most dangerous drug in the country right now and stopping this crisis remains their top priority. "The earliest memory I have is of people bringing food," he said. 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. Please see the flyers for more information. All rights reserved. He also supports the establishment of a civilian review board with subpoena power to investigate misconduct allegations. As the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office remains embroiled in controversy over alleged corruption and mismanagement, five candidates vying for Sheriff Laurie Smith's seat will be tasked with proving they can restore public confidence in the law enforcement agency. Grand jurors were told that Jensen said in an interview with a DA investigator that it was Sung who told him to direct the first $45,000 to Schumb. The city has also faced a number of lawsuits during Jonsen's tenure, alleging excessive use of force by Palo Alto officers. Well, the campaign where the money went had a media spokesperson as well. Early life and education [ edit] The Sheriff's Office - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara He looks for people who are willing to do the right thing even if it's not popular, he said. The grand jury convened July 20 of this year and handed down its indictments Aug. 6. EXCLUSIVE: Witnesses Describe Two-Track System for CCW Permits in Santa 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.". She also supports the Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT). 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 announced his retirement this year and plans to step down in mid-June. As a sergeant in the jails, he has trained officers in de-escalation techniques to better handle inmates in crisis. This is the official Facebook page for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Allen wants employees with integrity, commitment, objectivity and who are problem solvers. The former UFC heavyweight champion is being held at the Santa Clara County Jail. So they were always kind of pending.. All Rights Reserved. TheSixFifty.com Home A look inside San Jose politics and culture. 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. 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. Endorsements: Police chiefs and top law enforcement including those in Los Altos and Menlo Park; multiple members of Jonsen's community advisory group, among others. 2023 Mountain View Online. Her previous work can be found in the Associated Press, U.S. News and World Report, Chicago Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle. 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. I mean, sitting here at a grand jury after my phone has been confiscated, yes.. Feds drop felony gun case days after defense argued SFPD illegally arrested, searched defendant Personal attorneys for Smith and Sung have said their clients have no culpability in the indicted crimes. "We rewrote and reworked the policy to make sense for this day and age. Instead, he implemented an online system by which members of the media and the public submit a form and wait for a callback rather than talk immediately to a watch commander. The more honest you are, the easier we can approach it. I understand the complexities," he said. 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. Blogs He supports more mental health care facilities for inmates with psychiatric conditions. Nielsen and AS Facebook team manager Jack Stromgren, accused of instructing his agents to fill in false in-county addresses on their CCW applications, testified they were in line for similar consideration as West. 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. Jensen, whose wife is Hispanic, said he would sit down with members of the public, particularly the underserved, to work on problems and gain trust. Wed, Mar 01, 2023 . You can't take the Fifth. Whether on the street or in the jail, officers need to act with integrity, Jensen said. Allen is the only African American in the sheriff's race, he noted. 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. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. During his more than three-decade career, Jonsen has taken on a number of law enforcement roles, both professional and fictional: He once held an intergalactic position as a stormtrooper in the original Star Wars movie, according to his candidate webpage. "We rewrote and reworked the policy to make sense for this day and age. Sheriff Campaign Scandal: 4 Indicted in Concealed Carry 'Pay to Play "Compassion, respect and integrity. In October 2018, according to text messages examined by investigators, Nielsen, at the direction of Jensen, went to Schumbs downtown San Jose law office. They are obviously at best negligent, at worst corrupt. 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. "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. Even if force is used, I have high expectations that my officers know the laws," he said. He didn't let his experience embitter him. Allen, 51, is a 32-year veteran and sergeant of the sheriff's office. He has worked for a sizable chunk of his career in the same jail where he was once incarcerated as a scared teenager. "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. There are other ways to protect confidential information. Jensen said reform depends on the right leadership. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday Canny said at Tuesdays news conference that a lack of mental health resources and the criminalization of mental illness has forced Smiths office to do an impossible task., Mental illness is a public health crisis, not a criminal justice problem, she said. The Sheriff's Office; Sheriff Bio; Command Staff; Mission Statement & Core Values; Newsroom; Contact Us; NEW Proposed UAS Program; NEW AB 481 6-Month Report; AB 481; SO Policies and Procedures; Open Data; Services. A self-described "trailer-trash kid," he lived in the city of Fontana, a high-crime area then derogatorily called "Felony Flats.". 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. TownSquare 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 On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I'm the only candidate working the line. Santa Clara County: Who can build trust? Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002. 1,322 posts. A high number of mentally ill and the unhoused need more access to social services, education, treatment and housing, she said. One may wonder how many concealed weapons are carried around SCC every day WITHOUT a permit. Crime and Public Safety | "My time in the military is a key component. Sheriffs Before Smith Gave Supporters CCW Permits Promotions, About Us When I have my one-on ones, I lay it out very clearly. If you are not honest and you lie on a report and you get caught, then it's hard for me to help somebody," she said. 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. If we don't have a seat at the table, we don't deserve the trust," he said.As sheriff, he would provide education to the public on how to better protect their neighborhoods, and he would work collaboratively with law enforcement throughout the county.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 most important quality he wants in his deputiesWhether on the street or in the jail, officers need to act with integrity, Jensen said. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. Hm, a virtual interview from the Hawaiian Islands is being scheduled???? 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. He is a former Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association board member and a lifelong martial artist and instructor. The sheriff has come under attack after allegations of abuse and mismanagement in the county's jails. Even after a finding of innocence, his arrest haunted him each time he applied for a job, he said. In this policy there's a lot of focus on mental health and the severely mentally ill. By cooling-off periods for inmates, we slowed things down a lot," she said.Nagaye said she believes in de-escalation techniques and training deputies to talk people in crisis down. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) engages the whole community in assessing needs and developing strategies to achieve stronger preparedness, prevention, response, and mitigation capabilities within the Santa Clara County Operational Area. 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. 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. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office - Wikipedia 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. 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. If you have any questions about the videos posted on here, please contact the Public Information Officer at 408-808 . Nagaye's husband is of Japanese ancestry and they have biracial daughters. A job prospect led him to San Jose, where his wife spotted a recruitment sign for deputy sheriffs. Smith was speaking ahead of a Board of Supervisors meeting, where members were set to discuss a potential investigation of the incident in which Hogan was injured. Shes an avid lover of golden retrievers and Rocky Road ice cream. She enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, became a medic and served five years of active duty. "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. The County is aware of the issues that have arisen on Twitter and shares concerns about the increasing hateful rhetoric. 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. 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. 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. Sponsored content The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is a local law enforcement agency that serves Santa Clara County, California. It's being mismanaged now because people in command-staff positions are without a degree in finance and economics," she said.Endorsements: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley; multiple individual donors, many of whom are Santa Clara County Sheriff deputies.Website: nagayeforsheriff.comWhy she says she's the best-qualified candidate"I understand the need for community-based, world-class law enforcement. Since the establishment of the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office, seven officers have died while on duty.[7]. Jonsen said he would also address lagging recruitment and retention of deputies and staff. Embarcadero Media file photo by Magali Gauthier. "It's scary. Given how long this has been an issue, thats a problem.. All rights reserved. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith speaks during a news conference May 26. It was the first prosecutors had heard of it, and they dug in. . 'No one is above the law': Former sheriff found guilty of corruption I see the problems on a day-to-day basis and problems the deputies face," 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. One male was revived with Narcan and was transported to a local hospital.". We can do training and have verbal discussions. She said she is concerned about hate crimes, which have dramatically increased in the Bay Area. The second public information officer (PIO) to testify took the stand on July 23. I can bring together diverse groups of people. Sussman says the Fentanyl Working Group has made strides in reactionary measures like having Narcan more readily available. On July 21, 2019, DA investigators pulled over Nielsens car and served him with a search warrant for his home. Jonsen served as Chief of Police for the City of Palo Alto prior to his election. Based upon recent changes to the law and changes to standards and practices promulgated by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, the Sheriff's Office has been undergoing a comprehensive revision of its Law Enforcement and Custodial General Orders and the Sheriff's Policy Manual. Laurie Smith - Wikipedia 12. He announced his retirement this year and plans to step down in mid-June.Under Jonsen, the department banned neck holds and advocated for the new public safety building, which is under construction. According to testimony from officers who processed the licensing for Sheriff Laurie Smith, most petitions languished in a file drawer without anyone weighing their merits. Jonsen also said that as sheriff he would review the county jail management structure and work to implement the county's blue ribbon panel recommendations for reform. California Penal Code Sec. At that point, in accordance with California law, its ultimately up to the sheriff in each jurisdiction to decide whether to grant it. Russell Davis said. He wouldn't tolerate misconduct among any personnel, regardless of rank. Jensen, who remained involved in CCW issuance even after getting promoted out of the PIO unit. 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, Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. 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. Currently, the Sheriff's Office has 586 full-time sworn staff. We have made meaningful change. Contact Us. SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain James Jensen is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Jensen was arraigned. About Us. Nagaye, 50, has been with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department for 20 years and has been a supervising sergeant for six years. Smith invoked her Fifth Amendment rightagainst self-incrimination and refused to testify to the grand jury. A&E Under Jonsen, the department banned neck holds and advocated for the new public safety building, which is under construction. Phone: (408) 299-7500. We can do training and have verbal discussions. Please DO NOT use this. 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. She now faces potential removal from office after being accused by a civil grand jury of corrupt misconduct. To support the entire operation, the Department employs 223 non-sworn, civilian staff. But a short time later, their cover was blown although it would take months more before the sheriffs office realized it. Jonsen or Jensen: Who will be Santa Clara County's new sheriff? 456 following. "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. Jonsen, 59, a Palo Alto resident, has worked in law enforcement for 36 years. Again going by Jensens instructions, he said hed typically blame the delays on something out of his control. Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies found four men in their fifties unresponsive, likely from fentanyl use. During the campaign events, he was the one at the door collecting the money., When prosecutor Chase asked Glennon what Jensen told him to do with typical applications, those that didnt come from Smiths political supporters, he replied, They were basically put in a drawer and left in the drawer.. Sign up for our. On a small town road in unincorporated Gilroy on Monday, the deadly opioid crisis reared its head once again. "Jail reform and use of forceNagaye supports having a civilian watchdog to audit law enforcement practices and the management of the county jails.
Comments are closed.