My unique experience speaks for myself. "I'm feeling very hopeful and optimistic, cautiously. Though Wasserman is mentioned in the Aug. 6 indictment of Jensen, Schumb, Nahal and Nichols, he too has not been charged. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. When it comes to enforcing the law, which is to say enforcing the Constitution for the United States of America, the Sheriff, being the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, answers to We the People The County Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer elected by the People and bound by oath as guardian of the Peoples unalienable rights secured by the Constitution. We believe that working with the community, together we achieve great things and Im hoping to carry on that tradition and continue to provide the city of Cupertino with the best law enforcement services that we can.. Reggie Cooks said he couldn't disclose why that happened and offered the following official response: "In . Comment Policy (updated 11/1/2021): We reserve the right to delete comments or ban users who engage in personal attacks, hate speech, excess profanity or make verifiably false statements. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group;. Nagaye said she wants the Sheriffs Office to improve its relationship with diverse communities in Santa Clara County, and would set up a commission to jumpstart this process. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Like his opponents, Jensen said hes concerned about the lack of transparency in the office, which he blames on Smiths managerial style. Thats why his chances a slim. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. Over the next 30 years he worked in numerous roles in the county jail and Sheriffs Office. Saratoga hosts LAW-tes and Coffee with a Cop events to keep the community engaged with the Sheriffs Office, Valenzuela said. Rosen said there were two paths when it came to the issuing of concealed gun permits by the sheriff's office: One for average citizens and one for campaign donors and VIPs. Hes also interested in growing the jails mental health resources by potentially enlisting interns and clinicians in training from local universities. A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California. Photo courtesy of Kevin Jensen. We are not done, he said. Local News | She is now on paid administrative leave. The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. Rosen reiterated Monday that his offices investigation is still active, but declined to comment on whether prosecutors are any closer to implicating the sheriff. NIchols owns a company called The Gun Co., which manufactures firearms parts. How safe is your neighborhood? Thankfully, SJS usually gives the names of those who voted against a proposal. They should not be for sale.". Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. The Civil Warrants Division serves Civil process in the manner prescribed by law. Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. This DAs office has successfully prosecuted elected officials, correctional officers, sheriffs deputies, police officers, attorneys, business owners and other prominent residents, Rosen said in a statement to this news organization Monday. End of an era: San Jose antique shops could disappear, Robes, candles and chants: South Bay official in hot water over religious ceremony, Proposed tax law threatens billions in San Jose funding. Nagaye opposes the creation of a new jail, although she does support the creation of a new mental health facility to better meet the needs of mentally ill inmates. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. He got his start in the West Valley working as a patrol deputy and detective before he was assigned as the investigator for the county councils office. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. She also served in the offices operational standards and inspections unit and worked at both Elmwood and the main jail. So I can ask them about the SJ Search and Rescue team and how we can support the new sherriff. The department also said it's monitoring the situation and has no additional information to provide at this time. He may be contacted at 408-868-6612 or email at email Rich Urena. Stromgren recalled a conversation he had with Nielsen: I told him on a couple of occasions I didnt feel comfortable. Capt. But now people are returning back to work, returning to normal life and going on vacations, so folks are starting to take advantage of that.. Prosecutors allege that Nielsen and West were connected to Jensen by Schumb, Nahal and Nichols to get $90,000 split between the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance whose assistant treasurer was Schumb, a veteran South Bay litigator and the Sheriffs Advisory Board. Sheriff spokesman Sgt. August 10, 2016 at 12:02 p.m. 1:45 p.m. Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. The next sheriff will havesignificant challenges, including the ongoing warehousing of mentally ill inmates in the jail system, increased political scrutiny of the Sheriffs Office and the constructionof a new jail. He started his law enforcement career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 1989. Between 2014 and 2019, only about 150 permits were issued or renewed in Santa Clara County. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. Here are the five candidates running for sheriff in alphabetical order. If elected, Jensen said he will focus on addressing staffing and morale decline in the sheriffs office, including the correctional facilities. As police chief in Palo Alto, Jonsen said hes helped the city implement a program that partners behavioral health workers with police officers to respond to psychiatric emergencies. In the 20 years that Neil Valenzuela has worked for the Sheriffs Office, he keeps coming back to Saratoga. Capt. The Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. We are not done.". She is also a veteran, having served for five years as a combat medic and training officer in the army. We were all stuck at home for COVID, and we didnt have really any kind of property crime because everyone was home. If theres problems with speeding or people running stop signs, (these events) give them more direct access to us and assist them in a better way.. Kevin Jensen, a retired captain with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, is running to replace Laurie Smith. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. "I think people should be treated fairly and equally under this system," Long said. Jensen has picked up support from the main unions serving jail employees: the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association. "I know a definitive link to Sheriff Smith has not been established based on these indictments, but I'm interested to see how things develop as this investigation continues into the future," said Chris Long, who applied for a CCW permit in 2019, but was denied after months of waiting. "This investigation revealed the sad reality that at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office there are 2 policies for those seeking CCW licenses. Santa Clara Sheriffs gun-permit process: public safety or politics? His command experience includes serving as the assistant director of the protective services department at Valley Medical Center, the assistant division commander of the investigations division and the division commander of the court security division. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. How safe is your neighborhood? The ABC7 News I-Team asked Le to provide a comment but she declined. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office West Valley Division. Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. The $45,000 personal check, which Nielsen handed to the PSA's assistant treasurer, Schumb, represented more than half of the funds raised by the PSA before the election that year. Ricardo Rich Urena has been tapped to replace Capt. Jensen has also received endorsements from retired county supervisor Blanca Alvarado, Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley, Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran and former sheriff Robert Winter. According to the transcripts, Deputy District Attorney Matt Braker asked Montonye, (Jensen) said that Sung was the individual who brought Martin Nielsen to his attention? to which the investigator replied, Correct. Montonye also testified that Jensen said he was directed by Sung to give the money tell him to give the money to Schumb.. Five candidates are jockeying for Smiths seat. CBS. The exact terms of the deal were hammered out later that month, according to the indictment, when Nielsen and West met with Jensen, Nahal, and Nichols at a San Jose Jamba Juice and agreed upon an exchange of 10-to-12 CCW licenses for a $90,000 donation to Smith's campaign. The Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. Monday through Friday through 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Santa Clara County sheriff-elect Bob Jonsen will take office early after Board of Supervisors vote Jonsen, who was elected sheriff with 50.81% of the vote in November, will become the. 2007-03-13 12:18:00 PDT SAN JOSE -- Santa Clara County sheriff's investigators expect to go to prosecutors this week with their case against De Anza College baseball players suspected of having . I would love to serve in that role.. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002. 5:45 p.m. Lake County sheriff declares a local emergency due to snow. Christine Nagaye, Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen and sheriff Sgt. The public information officers sergeants Richard Glennon, Reginald Cooks and Michael Low also testified that Jensen was still heavily involved in shepherding the CCW application process despite being promoted out of the PIO office, in a rapid ascendance from sergeant to lieutenant and then captain in just a few years. Amy Le, who led the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association (CPOA) and went to bat for Sheriff Laurie Smith in her last election, was served a letter charging her with wrongdoing, stripped of her badge and escorted off the job Friday. Jonsen, 59, spent the last four years working as police chief in Palo Alto. The activity took place in 2018 while Sheriff Laurie Smith -- who had the authority to grant the permits -- was in a tough battle race for reelection in both the primary and general elections. She is also facing a civil grand jury accusation for corrupt misconduct and a state attorney general investigation into possible civil rights violations in the county jail. By comparison, Sacramento County has more than 5,000 active permits. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. Public Safety Alliance ("PSA"), an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Look at all the officers that left for other agencies under his tenure. If convicted, all four defendants could face prison time. Palo Alto police are out-of-control and Palo Alto has lots of payouts to victims. I was at the sheriff forum and only one candidate said she would uphold the US Constitution. Provides investigative services for all of the North/West Santa Clara County unincorporated areas and the contract cities of Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills. Hope Now we get a real sherriff elected. 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