News Coverage
Contra Costa County Probation Hosts the 8th Annual Range Instructor Coalition Statewide Meeting
Contra Costa County Probation had the distinct honor of hosting the 8th Annual Range Instructor Coalition Statewide Meeting earlier this fall, a premier event that brought together Probation representatives and firearms instructors from across California. This dynamic coalition serves as a vital committee for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and addressing key topics related to probation training, firearms use, and safety protocols.
Over the course of the meeting, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on critical issues, including the latest legislative updates and best practices for training, equipment, and firearms. These conversations aimed to ensure that probation departments statewide are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to operate effectively and safely.
Empowering Presentations and an Inspiring Chief Panel
One of the highlights of the event was a thought-provoking presentation by The Counseling Team International, titled “Resilience in Crisis: Managing Critical Incident Stress After Officer-Related Shootings.” This session provided invaluable insights and strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental health after high-stakes, traumatic incidents—an issue of growing importance in the probation field.
Another standout moment was the Chief Panel discussion, expertly moderated by Karen Pank, Executive Director of the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC). The panel featured an impressive lineup of leaders:
- Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause (Contra Costa County Probation)
- Chief Robert Reyes (San Luis Obispo County Probation)
- Chief John Keene (San Mateo County Probation)
- Chief Lonnie Reyman (Del Norte County Probation)
The panelists candidly shared their insights on leadership, departmental challenges, and innovative approaches to improving probation operations. Attendees praised the session, with many calling it the most engaging and impactful Chief Panel they had ever attended.
Action-Packed Training: Counter Ambush Tactics
On the final day of the event, Armitage Tactical delivered an adrenaline-fueled Counter Ambush Tactics training at the range. This hands-on session focused on advanced techniques designed to prepare firearms instructors and officers for high-pressure ambush scenarios. Participants walked away with cutting-edge strategies and practical knowledge to implement in their departments, reinforcing the commitment to officer safety and operational excellence.
Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead
The event was widely regarded as a resounding success, raising the bar for future gatherings. The collaborative efforts of the Contra Costa County Probation Firearms Instructor Team, Staff Development Unit, Fiscal Unit, and IT Department played a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution of the meeting.
A special note of appreciation goes to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department for graciously allowing the use of the Emergency Operations Center, which provided an ideal venue for such an impactful event.
As the host, Contra Costa County Probation set a new standard for excellence, and all eyes are now on Riverside County Probation, which will proudly host next year’s event. This annual meeting continues to serve as another piece of innovation, collaboration, and professional development in the California Probation field.
Probation Spotlight: Veteran Treatment Courts Successful Across the State
Collaborative Courts are comprised of multi-disciplinary teams, who work to be responsive to the needs of the participants. They allow participants an opportunity to participate in evidence based treatment models as an alternative to traditional court processing. This week, in honor of Veterans Day, we are highlighting Veterans Treatment Court success stories from several counties.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY PROBATION:
While post-traumatic stress disorder affects millions of people, veterans suffer at higher rates than civilians, three times more for those who were deployed. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 11-20% of veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year. Approximately 12% of Gulf War veterans and an estimated 30% of Vietnam Veterans struggle with PTSD. Symptoms include persistent flashbacks or nightmares, difficulty with emotional regulation, particularly anger management, and reckless or self-destructive behavior. Through California’s Veterans’ Treatment Court, veterans facing criminal charges may be eligible for treatment rather than punishment.
“The most common [struggle] for vets is PTSD [and] TBIs, which are traumatic brain injuries, just from service. That can turn into addictions, can turn into anger issues, and those can turn into other criminal activities if it goes far enough,” says Kevin Cadena, senior deputy probation officer with Sacramento County.
In 2014, Sacramento County created its own Veterans’ Treatment Court, combining the efforts of judges, district attorneys, the VA and probation to connect veterans with mental health and counseling services, housing and employment assistance.
“It doesn’t matter what they came into the program for, we accept them because they’re veterans. Between the efforts of Veterans’ Treatment Court and the network of connections I’ve built in the community, we all care about the veteran, person first, and then we can work on everything else.”
A 25-year Army veteran himself, Cadena knows firsthand the struggles veterans face.
“I’ve been told by a lot of vets how easy it was to connect with me,” he says. “I explain to them that I’ve had combat tours, I went through my own traumas. I don’t get into detail what I’ve gone through, but they understand that it happens to everybody. It created a little more instantaneous trust and from there I can build anything.”
The goal of Veterans’ Treatment Court is to address the underlying issues at hand in the hopes of getting those who have served their country back on their feet.
Chief Probation Officer Jeff Thomson was recognized by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors
From Sierra Wave.
INYO COUNTY, November 7, 2024 - Chief Probation Officer Jeff Thomson was recognized by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors this week for reaching 25 years of service to the county. He is joined here by the Board, CAO Nate Greenberg, County Counsel John-Carl Vallejo, and his wife, Tawni, and mother, Joyce.
Statement from CPOC President Chief Kelly Vernon on the Passage of Proposition 36
Sacramento, California, November 5, 2024 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) issued the following statement from their President, Chief Kelly Vernon, regarding the passage of Proposition 36.
County Spotlight: Lake County Probation Hosts Annual Resilient Re-entry Community Event
Probation’s collaborative work in re-entry services for those in our justice system not only helps those in the system to help turn their lives around, but it also helps make our communities safer for everyone.
The Lake County Probation Department, in collaboration with the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, hosted their 3rd Annual Resilient Re-entry event October 11, 2024. This event is designed to provide valuable resources and guidance to justice-involved individuals throughout the communities of Lake County.
The event is aimed to facilitate the reintegration of justice-involved individuals into society by offering a range of services including record expungement, college education opportunities, literacy resources, and even free tattoo removal services.
California Probation across the state, provides a multifaceted integrated safety model that uses accountability and provides opportunity. Probation continues to successfully connect individuals to workforce development, substance use treatment, mental health services, family engagement, and educational opportunities.
Throughout the day, a handful of keynote speakers, many of whom have successfully transitioned from incarceration to leading changed lives gave inspirational presentations on a range of topics. The speakers encouraged justice-involved individuals to speak to the vendors, utilize the free resources offered, and connect with community partners.
Speakers included: Elizabeth Quiroz, a distinguished author, co-founder of the Redemption House, and a master’s candidate in Social Justice and Human Rights at Arizona State University; Randall Cole, an accomplished author and substance abuse counselor; Richie Occhino, Lake County Behavioral Health outreach and prevention specialist; Caressa Smith, the dedicated manager of the Hope Center and a passionate advocate for second chances; Lake County Chief Probation Chief Wendy Mondfrans; Mark Taylor of Project Rebound; Megan Berger of Redemption House; Board of Supervisors Chair Bruno Sabatier; and Lake County Public Defender Ray Buenaventura.
Various groups and community partners from the Lake County community joined to host informational booths where individuals could find out about cell phone plans, library cards, literacy programs, educational courses, and 12-step programs.
The event featured the grand opening of the Lake County Probation Mobile Services Unit. The funding for the vehicle was provided through a grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections. The vehicle offers justice-involved individuals who are homeless an opportunity to connect with Probation resources where they are, including attending court by Zoom and attending classes. Those in attendance were able to tour the van.
“Lake County Probation Department is dedicated to empowering justice-involved individuals with the resources they need to embark on transformative journeys,” said Chief Probation Officer Wendy Mondfrans. “We are thankful for the participation of the inspirational speakers who shared their inspirational stories with us. This event underscores the profound, positive influence that access to resources can have on justice-involved individuals.”
Lake County Probation’s commitment is to continually improve the quality of community life by enhancing public safety, acknowledging staff accomplishments, assisting victims, and offering the hope of a more productive lifestyle for individuals on supervision.
Years-Long Effort to Update Kearny Mesa Juvenile Hall Complete
From San Diego County Office of Education.
October 16, 2024 - Recent upgrades to the Youth Transition Campus (YTC) in Kearny Mesa will benefit students, and help streamline experiences at both San Diego SOAR Academy sites.
ICYMI: A Story of Justice and Recovery
From The Press Enterprise. By Anthony Martinez.
As our communities come together to celebrate National Recovery Month, I want to take a moment to share my personal journey. My hope is that by telling my story, I can help inform ongoing discussions about addiction and criminal justice, while offering some hope to those who struggle with addiction.
Orange County Deputy Probation Officer Earns Outstanding Probation Officer of the Year Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Orange, Cali., September 11, 2024 – In a world where driving under the influence (DUI) remains a critical public safety concern, the dedication and innovative approaches within the justice system can make a significant difference. One such individual, Ronald De La Riva, is a recently honored member of the Orange County Probation Department, whose work with DUI court programs has earned him the 2024 Outstanding Probation Officer of the Year from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Statement on CPOC’s Support for Proposition 36 from President Kelly Vernon
The Chief Probation Officers of California support Prop 36 as an important step toward meaningful change in the justice system and the communities we serve. As professionals dedicated to public safety, helping individuals transform their lives and supporting victims, we recognize the urgent need for action and approach this decision with a lens of balancing accountability and opportunity for change.
Chief Jennifer Branning Appointed to Board of State and Community Corrections by Governor Newsom
SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom announced his appointment of Lassen County Chief Probation Officer Jennifer Branning to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
ICYMI: State Gave Stanislaus Responsibility for its Serious Juvenile Offenders. What Has Changed?
From The Modesto Bee. By Julietta Bisharyan.
ICYMI: Reassessing California’s Approach to Public Safety and Reentry
In Case You Missed It
From Capitol Weekly. By CPOC Executive Director, Karen Pank.
Every day, crime reports shake communities across California, and recent high-profile incidents have heightened public concerns about safety and the policies guiding safety decisions in our state. It’s not just the high-profile cases causing alarm; it’s also the everyday incidents happening in our own neighborhoods.
Arts Council of Kern Receives $60k Donation for Rehabilitation Project
From KGET. By Joshua Eyraud.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Fifth District Supervisor Leticia Perez joined Kern Family Health Care Wednesday to announce a major contribution to the Arts Council of Kern.
Mindfulness Program Aims to Empower Incarcerated Teens in Kern County
From Bakersfield Now. By Solomon Ladvienka.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A mindfulness course has been implemented to possibly help empower teenagers’ futures. At the Bowles Youth Detention Facility, a wellness program has opened and comes at a time where many teens in the Kern County have been arrested this week.
Growing into Mindfulness: Kern County Youth Detention Centers see impact
From Turn to 23. By Raquel Calo.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Mindful Futures Initiative celebrated incarcerated youth on Saturday, honoring their dedication to mindfulness lessons with certifications that mark the beginning of their empowered futures.
The Mindful Futures Initiative (MFI) honored incarcerated youth with mindfulness certifications on Saturday.
Kern Arts Council gets $60,000 to Support Youth Rehabilitation Through Art
From Bakersfield Now. By Lena Folke.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — After over a year of operation, the Arts Council of Kern received $60,000 in funding the Arts4Rehabiltation project, to continue providing incarcerated youth with artistic methods to express themselves.
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The Connector Newsletter – September 10, 2024
California Probation Creating Safer Communities Through Accountability & Opportunity
In this issue of The Connector, read stories of hope and inspiration of how California Probation is helping create safer communities by focusing on holding justice-involved individuals accountable while helping them transition out of the system permanently through transformative and evidence-based rehabilitation. Probation Departments are a connector in the justice system, interlacing and maximizing the resources available within our systems and communities to reduce recidivism by carefully balancing direct human services and research-based interventions.
#CAProbation Spotlight: Sacramento County Probation Recovery Court
Sacramento County Probation’s Recovery Court helps create safer communities by connecting participants to employment, recovery, and community with this life-changing program. Probation and drug courts help keep our communities safer by connecting people in the justice system with transformative rehabilitation and helping change lives.
Sierra County Probation Promotes Safety Night for Back To School Month
The Sierra County Probation Department recently visited a local high school during Back to School Month. Deputy Probation Officers Sofia Gonzalez and Scott Quade of Sierra County Probation visited the Loyalton High School Grizzley Night to promote their upcoming TECHWISE SAFETY FAMILY NIGHT on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
