Jensen told you to say? Braker asked. Her top brass faces charges of corruption and bribery, and the state attorney general is investigating her office for civil rights violations. I see the problems on a day-to-day basis and problems the deputies face," she said. The meet-up went down in the parking lot of a San Jose Starbucks, as customers streamed through the front door and the faint hiss of an espresso machine offered a soundtrack. 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. Thursday, Judge Eric Geffon rejected a defense motion to disqualify District Attorney Jeff Rosen based on his past friendship with and fundraising support from Schumb. All rights reserved. Newly elected Santa Clara County sheriff starts early after Laurie 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. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo on Monday called for the resignation of Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith amid multiple use-of-force incidents and alleged misconduct under her watch, and on . Under Smith, deputies murdered a mentally ill inmate, and others in custody have been injured, costing the county millions of dollars in settlements. After attending high school in Novato, he spent 27 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Kevin Jensen said during a recent interview, prefacing his own of a tough upbringing. This is the official Facebook page for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. "I think we just need to not just work on the reactive piece, that means getting Narcan into people's hands, but really work on the preventive piece of reducing supply and demand and make sure that people have access to treatment if they developed an addiction," Sussman said. He said thats how his predecessor, James Jensen, taught him to do it. 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. Updated: Jan 14, 2022 / 10:59 PM PST. Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies found four men in their fifties unresponsive, likely from fentanyl use. I would take things to heart and they would get an answer," she said. In October 2018, according to text messages examined by investigators, Nielsen, at the direction of Jensen, went to Schumbs downtown San Jose law office. He rose to the rank of captain and held the post of assistant chief in the Department of Correction for two years.While at the sheriff's office, he was the Stanford Department of Public Safety liaison, county jail administration commander, court security division commander and administrative coroner. 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. He was also the risk and information-sharing program manager for the Urban Area Security Initiative and was tasked with terrorism prevention, mitigation, response and recovery for the 12-county Bay Area region. 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. One may wonder how many concealed weapons are carried around SCC every day WITHOUT a permit. "Law enforcement has always had a problem with that. "Unfortunately, three of the victims inside the house were pronounced deceased at the scene. Become a Member (Illustration by Kathy Manlapaz). I'm not above anything. In alphabetical order, here's what they had to say. In most agencies that use a 10 code, the common term is '103' to go to a different channel for confidential information. Help sustain the local news you depend on. Jonsen, 59, a Palo Alto resident, has worked in law enforcement for 36 years. "The stakes of making a small mistake have never been higher," Dr. Sussman said. Santa Clara County: Who can build trust? "My exposure to these things has given me a different insight," he said.He has been married to mixed-race women who were from white, Asian and Hispanic backgrounds.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. The city has also faced a number of lawsuits during Jonsen's tenure, alleging excessive use of force by Palo Alto officers. It quickly became apparent that when I took over the position that (Jensen) was still kind of the go-between between the sheriff and myself. First Witness Testifies in Civil Corruption Trial Against Sheriff A look inside San Jose politics and culture. | About Us | Comments Policy | Advertising & Partnerships | Contact Us | Facebook | Twitter, A look inside San Jose politics and culture. Sussman says the Fentanyl Working Group has made strides in reactionary measures like having Narcan more readily available. When I have my one-on ones, I lay it out very clearly. James Jensen, took a glance. Jensen also reportedly took private meetings with VIP applicants outside the Sheriffs Office, sometimes at a nearby Starbucks or Jamba Juice on Coleman Avenue. Both required discipline and commitment, attributes she said are important to achieve success and to lead. 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. Sean Allen He's experienced both sides of law enforcement. Smith invoked her Fifth Amendment rightagainst self-incrimination and refused to testify to the grand jury. Jensen is "100% for front-end mental health services" that help keep people safe and out of jail. Home - Office of the District Attorney - County of Santa Clara 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 She would also put a stop to abuses by jail staff of mentally ill inmates. investigating her office for civil rights violations, accused by a civil grand jury of corrupt misconduct, beaten to death by sheriff's deputies in 2015, Mountain View City Council kicks off process of identifying priority projects for next two years. But it has been widely noticed that at least a quarter of the recipients had contributed to Smiths campaigns, in amounts of $100 to $1,000. 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. The DOJ doesn't require blanket encryption and allows for workarounds, but Jonsen did not create any, community critics have said. 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. Mobile site. An arraignment for the five defendants is scheduled for 9am Monday at the Santa Clara County Superior Court Hall of Justice. The Sheriff holds an elected office, which is voted on by the citizens of the County every four years. The trial against Smith stems . San Jose Inside (https://www.sanjoseinside.com), The DA accuses the Sheriff's Office of offering CCW permits in exchange for political contributions. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt. Shes an avid lover of golden retrievers and Rocky Road ice cream. 2,995 were here. However, persons residing in a municipality other than those served by the Sheriffs Office are encouraged to first contact their local police chief and apply for the license. These positions are broken down as follows: In addition to the full-time sworn staff, the Sheriff's Office has 65 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. Sheriff Smith reportedly stopped issuing them in 2018 after Rosen began serving search warrants to find links between political donations and the concealed-carry permits. 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. Even after a finding of innocence, his arrest haunted him each time he applied for a job, he said. The deal came out to $90,000 in donations in exchange for 10-12 CCW permits, Nielsen and West testified. 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. 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. You can't take the Fifth. "We rewrote and reworked the policy to make sense for this day and age. The number one change she would make as sheriff is increasing transparency. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith speaks during a news conference May 26. A job prospect led him to San Jose, where his wife spotted a recruitment sign for deputy sheriffs. There have been twenty-eight persons serving in the capacity of Sheriff since 1850. I had no discretion whether or not somebody were to get a permit. As sheriff, he would advocate for additional funding for mental health programs to help de-escalate crisis encounters. "It angers me. Follow her on Twitter at @jennwadsworth. Sergeant Russell Davis says fentanyl is the most dangerous drug in the country right now and stopping this crisis remains their top priority. I would be there and listening," she said. I've had a really well-rounded career," he said, noting he was also assistant chief of the Department of Corrections running the jail before it was taken over by Smith.If elected, he would be a different kind of sheriff from Smith, who had once been his professional partner. SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- The polls may be closed . to avoid being attacked, she said. The city also paid out $135,000 after a Palo Alto officer directed a K-9 to repeatedly bite a man who was sleeping in a shed during a manhunt for a kidnapping suspect. 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If the board of supervisors says 'Why are you doing this?' San Jose Shooting: Harrowing Body Camera Footage Shows Moment Deputies 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. Thursday, Judge Eric Geffon. Researchers are honing in on potential Fentanyl vaccine amid national opioid crisis, 'Injecting Hope' | Watch documentary on innovative program tackling drug overdose, fentanyl epidemic. 70 West Hedding Street. Allen said he would also focus on proper training of deputies in de-escalation techniques so that uses of force and weapons are last responses. TheSixFifty.com 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. The case is still pending.Jonsen and his wife, a doctor, have two sons and a young grandson.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.Website: bob4sheriff.comWhy he says he's the best-qualified candidateJonsen pointed to his years of experience as a chief and leader of law enforcement organizations that depend on professional experience to thrive. Still, Smith remains the most intriguing figure and the biggest enigma in the case. Marleen Canniff - Communications Manager - County of Ventura - LinkedIn Despite the city's settlements for excessive force by his department, Jonsen noted that the city paid out less than $1 million compared to the county, which has paid more than $20 million. James Jensen, attorneys Harpaul Nahal and Christopher Schumb and gun dealer Michael Nichols go to trial on Nov. 2. Shortly after Smiths 2018 re-election her most competitive contest to date the Metro newspaper asked the DAs office about the $45,000 donation. Nagaye supports funding a mental health wellness center over building a new jail. ", VIDEO: 'Injecting Hope' | Watch documentary on innovative program tackling drug overdose, fentanyl epidemic. "The California Highway Patrol and LAPD have shown that there are ways to work around the issues that have been brought up. I would take things to heart and they would get an answer," she said.Nagaye said she would also be transparent with the media and would be responsive when the media comes to an event. Your email address will not be published. "Don't be afraid to bring someone else in," she said, to help de-escalate or assess the situation.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.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.Nagaye supports funding a mental health wellness center over building a new jail. "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. [2], On August 27, 2015, mentally-ill inmate Michael Tyree was beaten to death[3] by three jail guards. John Arthur Getreu, 78, admitted to the 1973 murder of Lesley Perlov, 16 months after he was convicted in the 1974 killing of another woman in what proxecutors called The Stanford Murders. County of Santa Clara (@SCCgov) / Twitter 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. "Just because I'm an elected official doesn't mean I don't have to follow the rules. You don't serve the master.". "For 27 years, I worked for a sheriff's organization. Embarcadero Media file photo by Magali Gauthier. The incidents are listed only after officers have left the scene, however, and do not show the exact locations of the calls. Early life and education [ edit] Jonsen will be the 29th sheriff of Santa Clara County and the first new sheriff since 1998. When people can't get information from the news and the sheriff is not responsive, it creates distrust in the community, she said. 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In fact, none of the PIOs who testified ever recalled actually witnessing Smith sign one. Did you come up with that explanation on your own or is that something that Capt. 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That was the process before I started, Glennon answered. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? 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. Jonsen pointed to his years of experience as a chief and leader of law enforcement organizations that depend on professional experience to thrive. Please see the flyers for more information. "Compassion, respect and integrity. "I'm 100% in favor of full transparency. Sheriffs Before Smith Gave Supporters CCW Permits 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. 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. With no formal guidance on how to handle gun permits, he simply watched and learned as he went. "I know where the bad apples are. Colorado cop shot and killed unarmed man at point-blank range after struggle outside middle school, video shows 12K followers. Allen said he would be a hands-on sheriff. That's why I'm great for this position.". I just kind of tried to figure it out on my own, Low 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. Leading with integrity is the biggest thing. That would be a violation of state law, which requires a response be given within 90 days. That was on top of Jensens unofficial duties. San Jose Inside (https://www.sanjoseinside.com) It was the first prosecutors had heard of it, and they dug in. Jensen, Low said processed the paperwork, figuring there must be an exemption for people who spend enough of their work week in the jurisdiction. But Jensen faces several felony counts of conspiracy, bribery and falsification of records in a case that has also ensnared attorneys Christopher Schumb, Harpaul Nahal, gun manufacturer Michael Nichols and former AS Solution CEO Christian West. Russell Davis said. The sheriff should hold his or herself to the same standards as the public. Davis said. And then, you are telling us, after that you would, at the instruction of now-Capt. (Questions and website comments) Service Units Directory. "A lot of people are duck-and-cover and think they have to be blindly loyal to get ahead," he said. 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 Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. Law Enforcement Agency - Serving & Protecting since 1850 - Follow us on Facebook & Twitter Personal attorneys for Smith and Sung have said their clients have no culpability in the indicted crimes.