She also supports the Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT). 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. 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. 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. 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. If additional money isn't available, she would let deputies take time off from their usual duties to have more thorough training. Personal attorneys for Smith and Sung have said their clients have no culpability in the indicted crimes. 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.. 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. Allen is the only African American in the sheriff's race, he noted. Instead, he chose a career in law enforcement so he could institute reforms while keeping the public safe, he said. We can do training and have verbal discussions. Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday ", VIDEO: 'Injecting Hope' | Watch documentary on innovative program tackling drug overdose, fentanyl epidemic. The fifth candidate, Ahn Colton, 48, lists herself as a mother. By showing our complete transparency, it's going to build trust in the community again. You have to stand up to the standards to which you took an oath," he said.He also supports the establishment of a civilian review board with subpoena power to investigate misconduct allegations.Encryption of police-scanner communicationsWhen 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. I can bring together diverse groups of people. 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. If we don't have a seat at the table, we don't deserve the trust," he said. I didnt know any better. In most agencies that use a 10 code, the common term is '103' to go to a different channel for confidential information. 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. There's already a common practice in law enforcement to switch to a different channel for private conversations. Christine Nagaye A reformer who supports 'full transparency'Christine Nagaye has used challenges throughout her life to achieve her goals. Obituaries, Send News Tips Her father-in-law doesn't know if he will be targeted when he goes out. 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. Uploaded: Fri, Apr 29, 2022, 12:04 pm "It's so lacking. She would hold instructors accountable for the end results if employees are not properly trained, she said. A mother of three, the San Jose resident said she would always "be there for my deputies.". Twitter Facebook. "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.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.However, in 2019, Jonsen and City Manager Ed Shikada pushed to remove "complaints and investigations of internal personnel or human resources matters" from review by the city's Independent Police Auditor. Sign up for our. Other agencies use cellphones, Nextel, or computers," he said. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt. He has been married to mixed-race women who were from white, Asian and Hispanic backgrounds. He also wants to restructure the jails to become educational facilities to help people develop skills so that they can get jobs and not offend again. Peter Karasav, 35, was arrested in the 600 block of Potomac Court morning of March 2 and investigators said they found explosive materials and possible narcotics activity at a home there. 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. My mother-in-law calls me and asks, 'What is best time to go shopping?'" San Jose Police Arrest Man They Say Used Explosives to Damage PG&E Transformers, Quakes Open 2023 Season at PayPay Stadium Saturday, Legislators Look at Expanding Employee Safety Laws to Include California's Domestic Workers, All Charges Dropped Against Key Defendant in Santa Clara County Sheriff Firearm Permits Trial, Appeals Court Disqualifies Rosen in Sheriff Firearm Permits Case, Appeals Court Issues Order to Show Cause in CCW Case, Faced with DNA Evidence, Convicted Killer Pleads Guilty to Another Cold Case Murder, DA Rosen Quits Twitter, Says Musk Is Spreading 'Hatred and Bigotry', 'Cash for Guns' Event Scheduled for Dec. 10 in Morgan Hill, New Defendants in CCW Case Push Back on Bribery Claims, Defendants Plead Not Guilty in Santa Clara County CCW Case, Ex-Sheriff Smith Guilty of Corruption, Says Civil Court Jury, Charge Trump with a Crime, Say 84% of Power Poll Respondents, Judge Rejects Sheriff Smith's Pleas for Dismissal, as She Denies All Charges, Judge Denies Motion for DA's Recusal From CCW Case, Exclusive: Sheriff Smith, Second-in-Command Take the Fifth, https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sheriff/Pages/ccw.aspx, San Jos Reports No Citations under New Gun Law, and Gun Fees Are Months Away, Court Watchdog Arrested Just Weeks after Violent Encounter with Sheriff Deputy over Video, San Jose, San Francisco Trail Other Metro Areas in Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery, San Jose Inside | A look inside San Jose politics and culture. If the board of supervisors says 'Why are you doing this?' About Us. But absent more evidence, the biggest threat to the sheriff appears to be political rather than criminal. 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. On a small town road in unincorporated Gilroy on Monday, the deadly opioid crisis reared its head once again. Did you come up with that explanation on your own or is that something that Capt. Well, the campaign where the money went had a media spokesperson as well. She supports California legislative bill SB 2, which creates a statewide system to revoke the license of a police officer who commits serious misconduct, and SB 16, which requires disclosure of a sustained finding of excessive use of force if an officer failed to intervene when another officer used unreasonable or excessive force. "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. He is a former president of the California Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. 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. 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. 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. The city has also faced a number of lawsuits during Jonsen's tenure, alleging excessive use of force by Palo Alto officers. Equity "is the primary issue of this election carrying the momentum of the last two years where we have done so much around race and equality," Jonsen said. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1850, making it one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the State of California. Embarcadero Media Sentencing in such a case could normally result in her removal from office, but the sheriff's surprise resignation two months before the end of her sixth term makes that punishment moot. The grand jury transcripts offer some evidence against Smiths closest aide, Undersheriff Rick Sung, who also invoked his Fifth Amendment rights when called to testify. Jensen specifically characterized their deal as a quid pro quo as he cautioned Nielsen against mentioning concealed-gun permits to advisory board president Joseph Ziegler, Hyland testified. That's why I'm great for this position.". Your email address will not be published. "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. Kevin Jensen said during a recent interview, prefacing his own of a tough upbringing. 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. 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. Our office supports first responders, including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical . "I'm a talker. 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. David Sanders, the CEO of a Santa Clara computer services firm and a campaign contributor to Sheriff Laurie Smith, opened the trunk of his car and pointed to his handgun. Second, I agree with HQs post, there should be a follow up on the paperwork and see how many applicants have ever been convited of possession or any other other offense vs the pile of records of violators of the law. So we would usually tell people that we would get to it, but there is a backlog, Glennon said. Jonsen served as chief with Palo Alto Police Department starting in 2018, following five years as police . "I'm 100% in favor of full transparency. Capt. 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. 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. In Santa Clara County, however, it seems the vast majority of applicants never got a chance to take those prerequisite steps. "We have to earn it. Kevin Jensen A well-rounded retiree who wants to rebuild trust"Everyone has a story," retired Santa Clara County Sheriff's Capt. SantaClaraCoSheriff Retweeted Email: publicin formation@dao.sccgov.org. 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. She said she wants to break bread with people so that they will feel they can trust and confide in the deputies when they face hate crimes or other problems in their communities. Both required discipline and commitment, attributes she said are important to achieve success and to lead. Uploaded: Fri, Apr 29, 2022, 12:04 pm Again going by Jensens instructions, he said hed typically blame the delays on something out of his control. 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 . Calls friendship with Christopher Schumb a fatal conflict that cannot be ignored and impediment to fair trial. According to Glennon, Jensen was active in running campaign events. I see the problems on a day-to-day basis and problems the deputies face," she said. In late 2012, he served as the initiative's statewide risk-program manager. Previously, Hernandez was a summer intern for The Times in 2021, during which she covered general assignments on the Metro desk. "Custody has one budget and enforcement has another. "I have a proven record for establishing strong community policing programs and developing strategic solutions," he said. Jonsen, 59, a Palo Alto resident, has worked in law enforcement for 36 years. GILROY, Calif. (KGO) -- The fentanyl crisis continues to claim the lives of those who are using the dangerous drug, and leaders in the South Bay want to stop overdoses at the source after three men were found dead from suspected fentanyl use. County of Santa Clara. 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 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. This forum recording is the property of the . Were going to do these investigations, Smith said. He would basically bring me the applications that she had approved to move forward, Glennon testified. Thinking you can't be held accountable is narcissistic. Your email address will not be published. He would have a no-tolerance policy for corruption, discrimination or misconduct, including racist, sexist or homophobic speech and actions. It doesn't always need to be a disciplinary approach. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office | San Jose CA He has worked for a sizable chunk of his career in the same jail where he was once incarcerated as a scared teenager.Allen, 51, is a 32-year veteran and sergeant of the sheriff's office. Blogs There's also a need to get more money for social services, she said. Redwood City Pulse, 2023 Mountain View Online Back-room beatings make people afraid to go against the shot-callers, he said. She was the first female County Sheriff in the history of the state. Why he says he's the best-qualified candidate. Thats how it reportedly worked for the average Joe. "They immediately applied life-saving measures and applied Narcan to every individual in that household," Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office PIO Sgt. Follow Mountain View Voice Online on Twitter @mvvoice, Facebook and on Instagram @mvvoice for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more. "They immediately applied life-saving measures and applied Narcan to every individual in that household," Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office PIO Sgt. Robert was a member of the Bay Area News Group reporting team awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting for East Bay Times coverage of the fatal "Ghost Ship" fire. He looks for people who are willing to do the right thing even if it's not popular, he said. Advertising Info 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. The city paid a $572,500 settlement for the violent 2018 arrest of Gustavo Alvarez at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, which also sparked an FBI investigation. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! He has been an independent consultant since his retirement and has taught new recruits and law-enforcement managers. For example, when he worked on the Polly Klaas murder case, Jensen said he needed to have self-control. The more honest you are, the easier we can approach it. Since the establishment of the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office, seven officers have died while on duty.[7]. However, as a government agency, we need to maintain our presence to share information with the public, especially if it can save lives during an emergency. Sponsored content Smith, who announced her retirement on Monday while the jury was deliberating, faced the charges in a civil trial that had been filed by a Santa County Civil Grand Jury in December. 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 was trying to get my job done and get my portion of the process done. She supports appointing a civilian watchdog to audit law-enforcement practices and management. You have to stand up to the standards to which you took an oath," he said. 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. Investigator Lacy Hyland examined the audio from that meeting, and both she and Nielsen told the grand jury that Jensen directed Nielsen to donate the second $45,000 to the Sheriffs Advisory Board. In a unique alliance, Paula Canny an attorney who represented the families of Hogan and Michael Tyree, an inmate who was beaten to death by three correctional deputies in 2018, in litigation against the Sheriffs Office and the county supported Smith. She enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, became a medic and served five years of active duty. 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. He would tell his deputies: "Follow the mission. How a really big check unraveled a well-oiled, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, How a really big check unraveled a well-oiled patronage system with Santa Clara County concealed-gun permits, Jensen, Schumb, and co-defendants Harpaul Nahal and Michael Nichols are scheduled to appear in court Monday to continue their arraignment proceedings in the case. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority also contracted with the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement service. Santa Clara County leaders on the Fentanyl Working Group, like Santa Clara County Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine's Dr. Rachel Sussman, agrees, especially when it comes to youth drug use. "My exposure to these things has given me a different insight," he said. Melissa Hernandez was a member of the 2021-22 Los Angeles Times Fellowship class. 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. Can California's power grid handle a 15-fold increase in electric cars? All defendants have denied charges of wrongdoing and plan to fight the case. Shortly after Smiths 2018 re-election her most competitive contest to date the Metro newspaper asked the DAs office about the $45,000 donation. Even if force is used, I have high expectations that my officers know the laws," he said. Checking all three boxes gets a permit seeker to the next stage, a background check. I am exposed to it. Santa Clara County sheriff candidates Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. "Unfortunately, three of . The sheriff has come under attack after allegations of abuse and mismanagement in the county's jails. It's embarrassing, everything that has come out in the past 3 to 15 years," she said. Privacy Policy Jensen faces the most serious charges in the case in large part because grand jury testimony painted him as the trusted linchpin of the operation. The first witness in the civil corruption trial against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith testified Friday. 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. Davis said. These positions are broken down as follows: In addition to the full-time sworn staff, the Sheriff's Office has 65 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls, Officials admit being unprepared for epic mountain blizzard, leaving many trapped and desperate, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, 15 arrested across L.A. County in crackdown on fraudulent benefit cards, This is me, this is my face: Actress Mimi Rogers on aging naturally, without cosmetic surgery, San Jose mayor says Santa Clara County sheriff should resign: Corruption or incompetence, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. Endorsements: The Rev. Help sustain the local news you depend on. I also hear that the going rate for a CCW permit expedite fee was $20,000. This is the official Facebook page for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. The incident was a brazen riff on Californias carefully crafted concealed-gun permit law, but it emerges as typical of Santa Clara Countys freewheeling, pay-to-play version of the process, as alleged in testimony detailed in 900 pages of grand jury transcripts released late last month. He would institute listening sessions with the community and hear about any problems people have with deputies or other personnel, he said. Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies found four men in their fifties unresponsive, likely from fentanyl use. "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. "It's scary. Bob Jonsen A track record as a leader, but not without his critics. [1] She was convicted in November. If the records clean, they can sign up for a class to prove firearm proficiency. 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. 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. 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. Jensen. ", RELATED: Researchers are honing in on potential Fentanyl vaccine amid national opioid crisis. We occasionally hear news stories about someone getting pulled over or apprehended for some incident where a gun was found and usually, these are people with priors. So what are the odds Jenn that these people are less of a threat to the community at large than those who at least submitted their name and background info and at least go through some process (no matter how flimsy) to get the right to carry a weapon? But hes far from convinced shes finished. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. That's why I'm great for this position. Among the apparent beneficiaries of that privilege was County Supervisor Mike Wasserman. Jennifer Wadsworth is the former news editor for San Jose Inside and Metro Silicon Valley. She could not be reached for an interview. Smith invoked her Fifth Amendment rightagainst self-incrimination and refused to testify to the grand jury. 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. Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. 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. In fact, none of the PIOs who testified ever recalled actually witnessing Smith sign one. 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.
How Much Does Competitive Gymnastics Cost A Year,
Dreaming Of A Boat Flipping Over,
Articles S