Santa Clara County: Who can build trust? Encryption of police-scanner communications. Why he says he's the best-qualified candidate. Supervisors Joe Simitan and Otto Lee called for the public release of a report and audio recording related to a 2018 incident involving Andrew Hogan, a mentally ill man who became severely disabled after he was repeatedly injured while riding in a jail transport van unrestrained. 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. She would retrain more deputies who are on patrol in these skills and add more mental health services onto PERT teams. It doesn't always need to be a disciplinary approach. Who better to have in place to find where this money is going? Already, with conspiracy and bribery indictments of Jensen, attorney and fundraiser Christopher Schumb and two others, the scheme stands as one of the biggest political corruption cases to hit the South Bay in more than four decades. These positions are broken down as follows: In addition to the full-time sworn staff, the Sheriff's Office has 65 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. I'm a veteran, a woman and I married a man of color and I'm a LGBTQ ally. 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. Related Articles The DOJ doesn't require blanket encryption and allows for workarounds, but Jonsen did not create any, community critics have said.The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office also encrypts its radio communications.The city has also faced a number of lawsuits during Jonsen's tenure, alleging excessive use of force by Palo Alto officers. Jonsen moved north to become Menlo Park's police chief in 2013, and then he became Palo Alto's chief in 2018. Redwood City Pulse, 2023 Mountain View Online When people can't get information from the news and the sheriff is not responsive, it creates distrust in the community, she said.Encryption of police-scanner communications"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. Robert Durr or the sheriff herself. Jennifer Wadsworth is the former news editor for San Jose Inside and Metro Silicon Valley. Kevin Jensen A well-rounded retiree who wants to rebuild trust. So we would usually tell people that we would get to it, but there is a backlog, Glennon said. My mother-in-law calls me and asks, 'What is best time to go shopping?'" Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith speaks during a news conference May 26. The police auditor now reviews supervisory inquiry investigations, internal employee complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation and any use-of-force investigation where a baton, chemical agent, Taser, less-lethal projectile, canine or firearm is used, or when a subject's injuries as a result of a police use of force require treatment beyond minor medical care in the field, his website noted.Encryption of police-scanner communicationsJonsen notes that after fully encrypting radio communications, his department launched a "Calls for Service" interactive map that shows incidents to which officers have responded in the past 24 hours. 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. Davis said. I just kind of tried to figure it out on my own, Low said. Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002. In Alameda, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties, the sheriffs offices grant the permits at twice the rate of Santa Clara County and typically have twice as many active licenses at any given moment. She also supports the Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT). There's already a common practice in law enforcement to switch to a different channel for private conversations. The trial against Smith stems . "It's so lacking. In Santa Clara County, however, it seems the vast majority of applicants never got a chance to take those prerequisite steps. ", RELATED: Researchers are honing in on potential Fentanyl vaccine amid national opioid crisis. Print Edition/Archives "We rewrote and reworked the policy to make sense for this day and age. 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. The city has also faced a number of lawsuits during Jonsen's tenure, alleging excessive use of force by Palo Alto officers. There he handed over a $45,000 check made out to the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, a pro-Smith independent expenditure committee whose finances were co-managed by Schumb. 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. When elected, I will end this policy within the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office," she said. Whether or not by design, the system manufactured scarcity. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. "I've done about every job you can do. The conundrum she faces, is that either she knew which suggests a corrupt decision-making process or she didnt know, which suggests an ineffective management practice, said Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. 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. Capt. A lawyer-turned-lawman, Glennon handled CCW petitions from 2016 to 2019 as a member of Sheriff Laurie Smiths communications team. He is a former Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association board member and a lifelong martial artist and instructor. He said Smiths alleged mismanagement as the longest-serving elected sheriff in Santa Clara County has destroyed lives and violated the most basic of civil rights of inmates and created a dystopian place of horrible suffering., Smith did not directly address Liccardos call for her resignation, but when asked whether she intended to step down, she said, At this time, no.. I see the problems on a day-to-day basis and problems the deputies face," she said. "In the sheriff's office, I was referred to as OJ Simpson," he said. After the murder of mentally ill jail inmate Michael Tyree by three guards, who were later convicted, Nagaye helped develop new policies. Jensen, who remained involved in CCW issuance even after getting promoted out of the PIO unit. Former Pleasanton cop found not guilty of murder in DUI crash 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. Following allegations of inmate abuse and corruption in Santa Clara County jails, Sheriff Laurie Smith on Tuesday said she stands by her staff and welcomes any investigations into her department. The grand jury testimony gives the first inside look at the casual way the process worked: Jensen would make house calls to deliver VIPs their gun-permit paperwork, at least once to a judge, and in a few instances, to players for the San Jose Sharks. A high number of mentally ill and the unhoused need more access to social services, education, treatment and housing, she said. 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. San Jose, CA 95110. Is a 2020 Biden and Harris Ticket Good for Cannabis Legalization? We can do training and have verbal discussions. If additional money isn't available, she would let deputies take time off from their usual duties to have more thorough training. 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.Jonsen, 59, a Palo Alto resident, has worked in law enforcement for 36 years. 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. 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. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. A mother of three, the San Jose resident said she would always "be there for my deputies. Update: Former Palo Alto police Chief Robert "Bob" Jonsen declared victory in a tight race with Kevin. His department began recording hate incidents after local hate crimes and incidents increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Your email address will not be published. Advertising Info "Regional systems like SVRIA (Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority) would need to have a voice in the regional interoperability considerations as well. 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. 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. Lets see what the truth is.. 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. All California municipal police chiefs may issue CCWs, although some may cede this process to the sheriff. Why she says she's the best-qualified candidate. They are obviously at best negligent, at worst corrupt. Still, Smith remains the most intriguing figure and the biggest enigma in the case. Back-room beatings make people afraid to go against the shot-callers, he said. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. 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. Did you come up with that explanation on your own or is that something that Capt. 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 . "We have to earn it. Mountain View City Council kicks off process of identifying priority projects for next two years. Even after a finding of innocence, his arrest haunted him each time he applied for a job, he said. 70 West Hedding Street East Wing, 11th Floor San Jose, CA 95110. 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. Sponsored content 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. He said thats how his predecessor, James Jensen, taught him to do it. 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. Jensen said he grew up in a dysfunctional household with a troubled father who ended up incarcerated. The agency has been stingy with the privilege about 150 permits were issued or renewed between 2014 and 2019, out of over 750 applications. With no formal guidance on how to handle gun permits, he simply watched and learned as he went. 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. We have made meaningful change. "Everyone has a story," retired Santa Clara County Sheriff's Capt. "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. At that point, in accordance with California law, its ultimately up to the sheriff in each jurisdiction to decide whether to grant it. At Brakers prompting, Glennon explained how a applying for a CCW should work versus how it actually worked during his few-year tenure in the unit that processed them. 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. "The biggest is honesty. 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SantaClaraCoSheriff Retweeted Who better to have in place to find where this money is going? 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. Twitter Facebook. 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. If someone is getting into the job so they can chase a person, they aren't right for the job, he said. Embarcadero Media file photo by Magali Gauthier. We're not adequately trained to provide long-term care for people," he said.He supports more mental health care facilities for inmates with psychiatric conditions. 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. In late 2012, he served as the initiative's statewide risk-program manager. The state Attorney General's Office cleared Christopher Schumb of two felony charges Monday morning, citing lack of evidence. 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. The number one change she would make as sheriff is increasing transparency. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt. Again going by Jensens instructions, he said hed typically blame the delays on something out of his control. Meanwhile, CCW permits fell to the agencys public information office, which suggests that the service was viewed under the purview of community relations. Both required discipline and commitment, attributes she said are important to achieve success and to lead. Otherwise, "we're going to continue to fail those human beings," he said. We can do training and have verbal discussions. About Us. The first witness in the civil corruption trial against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith testified Friday. "Just because I'm an elected official doesn't mean I don't have to follow the rules. Finally, it would be interest to know if the application of official scrutiny would ever actually fix the corruption or just stop for awhile while they are being scrutinized but will go back to oppressing individuals rights under the law. [5] Two more inmates escaped from custody in Palo Alto in November 2017.[6]. 12. 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. A mother of three, the San Jose resident said she would always "be there for my deputies.". The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office also encrypts its radio communications. "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. 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. When I have my one-on ones, I lay it out very clearly. A week later, the DAs office served search warrants at the sheriffs headquarters. Michael Low described feeling much the same way when he came to the PIO position as a deputy in early 2019. 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. Other agencies use cellphones, Nextel, or computers," he said.Communities of colorAllen is the only African American in the sheriff's race, he noted. She said she would have an ongoing "meet the deputies" program to improve the agency's relationship with the community.Can the candidates straighten out the sheriff's office, restore the public's confidence in its transparency and accountability and reform its jail system?In alphabetical order, here's what they had to say. 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. Colorado cop shot and killed unarmed man at point-blank range after struggle outside middle school, video shows This was how the process worked until last year when the processing of new concealed-carry weapon permits was halted amid the DA investigation. Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. If the board of supervisors says 'Why are you doing this?' Under Jonsen, the department banned neck holds and advocated for the new public safety building, which is under construction. The most important quality he wants in his deputies. Copyright 2023 San Jose Inside. "Putting mentally ill people in jail with a bunch of cops (is a bad idea). I have been in contact with Sen. Becker and his office about SB 1000 and support it 100%. If elected, he would be a different kind of sheriff from Smith, who had once been his professional partner. Provide setup and assist runners at Santa Cruz Island Eco Half Marathon, a race organized to raise funds for the Sheriff's Search and Rescue charity (October 2011-Present) Licenses & Certifications "We have to earn it. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. I didnt know any better. 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. You don't serve the master. Follow her on Twitter at @jennwadsworth. Smith said during a news conference that an in-depth review is necessary to get the true facts.. Can California's power grid handle a 15-fold increase in electric cars? Among the apparent beneficiaries of that privilege was County Supervisor Mike Wasserman. Russell Davis said. Palo Alto Police Department Chief Bob Jonsen. She's used competitive body building to push herself to new heights. 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. Your contribution matters. I had no discretion whether or not somebody were to get a permit. Previously, Hernandez was a summer intern for The Times in 2021, during which she covered general assignments on the Metro desk. The grand jury convened July 20 of this year and handed down its indictments Aug. 6.