To do it right you have to first know what is the requirement of the job then figure out if the candidates understand those requirements. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. "I think people should be treated fairly and equally under this system," Long said. Saratoga installed an Automatic License Plate Reader system at several intersections last spring to track cars coming in and out of the city and deter crime. In 2017, another captain had used inmate labor to build arbors and a storage shed. Hope Now we get a real sherriff elected. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. In a surprise turn, West used the defendants Monday arraignment to plead guilty. Transcripts show the county supervisor blamed a chronically bad memory for his inability to recall whether he fulfilled the proficiency requirements. In court Monday, he asked Judge Eric Geffon to re-seal the grand jury transcripts on the grounds that his clients trial rights will be prejudiced by their release.. The remaining four defendants, who were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges, put off entering pleas until Sept. 21. The conflict is so real and so grave that fair treatment of Schumb is unlikely unless the district attorneys office is disqualified, Wall wrote in the motion. While a captain, he was assigned to oversee various Custody Bureau Divisions, including the Main Jail, Elmwood, Jail Reforms, Support Services, and Administrative Services, as well as the Transportation and Internal Affairs Units. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. Jensen has also received endorsements from retired county supervisor Blanca Alvarado, Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley, Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran and former sheriff Robert Winter. In 2017, she received $449,767.49 with overtime and benefits, on a $142,530.12 base salary. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A former manager for a security company who implicated a Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and others in an alleged bribery scheme to trade political donations supporting the sheriff in exchange for concealed-carry weapons has testified in the civil corruption trial . I live in Palo Alto, am happy that Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonson is leaving his Palo Alto position. Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. Urena was promoted to the position Aug. 1. Jonsen, 59, spent the last four years working as police chief in Palo Alto. 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. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. She would combat this by setting up a retention program. 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 . With all of the county's 754 precincts reporting as of 5 p.m. Wednesday,. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations. The investigation found that weeks after the scheme was hatched, the conspirators settled on a $90,000 "donation" in exchange for 10 to 12 CCW licenses. We know Kevin Jensen as a person and we understand his leadership qualities, Ryan Elder, president of the association, told San Jos Spotlight. The $45,000 personal check, which Nielsen gave to Schumb -- the PSA's assistant treasurer -- represented more than half of the funds raised by the organization prior to the election that year. Its a small town community I like interacting with.. 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. Neither Smith, who has the sole authority in her agency to grant the gun permits, nor Martin Nielsen an AS Solution manager who provided security for Facebook executives has been charged. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. The DA's investigation began shortly after the general election in 2018, sparked by an inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation, which was reported in public filings. A retired Santa Clara County sheriffs captain who ran for office in 2014 and lost, Kevin Jensen believes he has the momentum to take the seat. Urena will oversee a division that serves the communities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills and unincorporated areas of the county, bringing 14 years of experience into the role. Local News | I just want to do it within reason, getting mental health help we need on the front end, and also providing for those people who have to be in the jails.. For a look at more stories and videos by the ABC7 News I-Team go here. The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. Per a plea agreement, his charges will be downgraded to misdemeanors and a maximum 18-month jail sentence in exchange for his cooperation with the district attorney. If elected, Jensen said he will focus on addressing staffing and morale decline in the sheriffs office, including the correctional facilities. My intent is to change not only whats happening at the top of the organization, but some of whos at the top of the organization, Allen told San Jos Spotlight. Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriffs Offices Detective Division. "It's very unusual for a captain to be walked off in that manner for a project that wasn't for personal gain, on jail property. If they dont get this then they are oblivious and are incapable of doing a good job if elected. Thats why his chances a slim. If you care about your Constitutional rights, vote for the person who UNDERSTANDS and actually WILL uphold the US Constitution and your unalienable rights! The morale will get better, then the whole department, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. Its not clear if Colton qualifies for sheriff. 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.. The associations members voted overwhelmingly to support endorsing him. Sung is now the assistant sheriff for the administrative division. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Over the next 30 years he worked in numerous roles in the county jail and Sheriffs Office. I haven't been provided any evidence at this point, but broadly speaking I believe that all of the folks involved were legally able to obtain the permits. Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. By comparison, Sacramento County has more than 5,000 active permits. Santa Clara County Sherif we have been without one, https://www.kevinjensen4sheriff.com/endorsements. Capt. The side of a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office vehicle is pictured in this file photo. | All donations are tax-deductible. Local News | 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. public and her constituents and say what's going on. . Emergency Contact Information . Santa Clara County Salaries - Sheriff's Correctional Captain Highest salary at Santa Clara County in year 2021 was $472,633. An inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation -- which was reported in public filings -- spurred the DA to start an investigation shortly after the general election in 2018. Kinda like if you are applying for a cook job and you are not aware that preparing meals is the basic part of your job then what is the point of continuing the job interview? The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Custody Division is the fifth largest jail system in California, and among the 20 largest systems in the United States. Political action committees for the Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association supported Jensens campaign when he ran against Smith in 2014. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. When I had asked him in one of those early conversations I got, like I dont remember the words it was, basically, Dont ask.'. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. In a statement, attorney Harry S. Stern said: "James is devastated by this development. She also served in the offices operational standards and inspections unit and worked at both Elmwood and the main jail. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Christian West, left, the former CEO and Founder of the security company AS Solution is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. West pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. "My concern is not whether the sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," Rosen said. Your email address will not be published. After submitting seven concealed weapon permit applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated $45,000 -- half of the agreed amount -- to the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. hoped you would put name in hat .Thanks for running !! She previously worked as a reporter for PhillyVoice in Philadelphia and freelanced for The Seattle Times and The Whiskey Wash. She grew up in Sacramento, California, and graduated with a BA degree from the University of Oregon where she majored in journalism and minored in political science. Urena has a wealth of patrol experience, he told the five-member city council. They could spend time in prison if they are convicted. Luis later supervised the Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team working regional investigations with local, county, state and federal public safety partners. Jonsen said he has experience stabilizing organizations bleeding staff, noting he helped staunch the flow of people leaving the Menlo Park and Palo Alto police departments, in part by raising salaries to a competitive level. He replaces Capt. Christine Nagaye, Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen and sheriff Sgt. Besides sketching out the donation-for-permits plan, he surreptitiously recorded a conversation with Jensen using a DA-provided phone app, at a meeting just days before the corruption probe became public knowledge when search warrants were served at the sheriffs office. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and three others have been charged in connection with a gun permit bribery scheme, District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced Friday. Santa Clara County Sheriff candidates Kevin Jensen and Bob Jonsen. This is your newsroom. "If you made a campaign donation and if Captain Jensen knew you to be a VIP, then you got special treatment and you got a CCW license," Rosen said. Jensen lost that election, but he believes the time is right for a new run and cites the support from the association. If convicted could get 11 years in prison. The complete transcript of the grand jury's findings will be released in the coming weeks. With Californias soaring mountains steep in snow, heres how to avoid an avalanche 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 Laurie Smith, the District Attorney's Office said Friday. 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. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group). Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. Im the only candidate who has experience from a large sheriff organization as well as municipalities, and that diversity will serve me well, Jonsen told San Jos Spotlight, adding that his great-great uncle served as sheriff in Santa Clara County in 1870. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. 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. The other three members of her command staff including former Mountain View . She is a San Jose State University alumna and enjoys hiking and camping in her spare time. We know hes the best candidate to address these issues (in the office).. 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. First published on August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. For the average member of the public, no matter how pressing or justified their need, if they follow the procedure laid out on the sheriff's website and mail in an application, it will will not be reviewed. "If she's doing something that's unfair and unjust, she owes it to this community to step down," said Moore. Hirokawa said Jensen's quick rise to captain after Smith's re-election raised eyebrows in the office at the time. He said its important to increase the offices transparency. He may be contacted at 408-868-6612 or email at email Rich Urena. A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? Kevin Jensen said Tuesday that it was "humbling" that two unions want him to run against Sheriff Laurie . Though Wasserman is mentioned in the Aug. 6 indictment of Jensen, Schumb, Nahal and Nichols, he too has not been charged. Saratoga hosts LAW-tes and Coffee with a Cop events to keep the community engaged with the Sheriffs Office, Valenzuela said. Your email address will not be published. They should not be for sale.". San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. The Constitution for the United States of America and its capstone iBill of Rights is the Law of the Land; and all statutes and state constitutions repugnant to the Constitution for the United States of America are null and void. He is my choice. He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. Rosen noted that any average member of the public applying for a CCW license in accordance with the instructions on the Sheriff's Office website would not have their application reviewed. There may have been policies or procedures broken with regard to that project, but there must be more to the story," said Retired Undersheriff and Chief of Correction, John Hirokawa who in the past oversaw the jails. Our jail is among the 100 systems nationwide with an inmate population of more than 1,000. Sheriff Smith herself was not among those indicted Friday, but Rosen said his office's investigation is wide ranging and far from over. "But then when it came time to renew, I was not allowed to renew and those reasons were never explained to me phone calls were not returned," explained Moore. Le apparently ran into trouble when her superiors did not like her project, and when they learned she didn't have a building permit. Palo Alto police are out-of-control and Palo Alto has lots of payouts to victims. These cameras capture vehicle license plates and compare them with Sheriffs Office databases to alert authorities when a plate matches a listing. 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. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Aug. 31. Santa Clara Sheriffs gun-permit process: public safety or politics? Sheriffs Capt. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. How safe is your neighborhood? I will always remember my oath to protect and servethat will be my ultimate oath, and thats why Im running for sheriff.. Shes concerned about declining morale in the office,notingstaffing levels are lowwhich means many employees work mandatory overtime, separating them from their families. Office Hours. Jonsen said the county should offer more skill-based programs in the jails for inmates so they can find employment upon release. "And it's very clear that that's not the case under Sheriff Smith and her office. Detectives pursue all cases to conclusion from reports generated by patrol deputies, except those cases dealing with homicide, sex, or narcotics, which are . There are some very strong advocates for changes in the jail system, and Im among them, Jensen said. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Its going to be an easy election for voters to choosetheyre either going to choose somebody in the organization, or theyre going to choose for change, Jonsen said. Harry Stern, Jensens attorney, reiterated that Jensen did not have the power to grant the concealed-gun permits. Jensen advised Nielsen to instruct AS Solution employees who were not residents of Santa Clara County to use local corporate addresses as their residence addresses in their applications. Civil process includes restraining orders, bench warrants, arrest warrants, evictions and any other notice or order from the courts. 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. "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. Law Enforcement. The department also said it's monitoring the situation and has no additional information to provide at this time. The testimonies confirm an earlier report from this news organization that found CCW permits were most frequently granted to high-profile applicants, and that the most common condition for approvals was a reference or order from Smith or one of her top commanders. This all took place in 2018, while Sheriff Laurie Smith, who had the authority to grant the CCW licenses, was in a race for reelection, both in the primary and general elections. Flood Advisory issued for Santa Clara Co. . "This investigation revealed the sad reality that at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office there are 2 policies for those seeking CCW licenses. 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. Between 2014 and 2018, 749 Santa Clara County residents applied for a new CCW permit, according to records provided by the sheriffs department. Jonsen, who filed his papers to run in January, has received endorsements from former state Sen.Jim Bell, the Democratic Asian Pacific American Club and the Sunnyvale Democratic Club. He is unlikely to be any better than the current Sherriff. A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. Click hereif you are having trouble viewing the slideshow on a mobile device. Jail reform is one of the key issues in the Sheriff's race, pitting former Palo Alto Police Chief Bob Jonsen against former . We are not done, he said. 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.. 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. The investigation found that weeks after the scheme was hatched, the conspirators settled on a $90,000 "donation" in exchange for 10 to 12 CCW licenses. A San Jose native, he graduated from UCLA with a BA degree in history and from the University of Maryland with a MA degree in journalism. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) A retired captain for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is joining the race to become the next sheriff, now the second opponent looking to unseat current. Sources have told this news organization that Nielsen a central figure in the scheme, who wrote the $45,000 check that touched off the investigation after Smith was re-elected in 2018 cooperated with investigators early on. "I'm feeling very hopeful and optimistic, cautiously. 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