SHERIFF
OC SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
WHY: Has over 30 years of law enforcement experience; elected as the 13th Sheriff-Coroner for Orange County in November 2018 and re-elected in June 2022. Oversees a budget of $1.1B in a department of 4K employees. Provides patrol services for about 800K residents. Operates one of the nation’s largest county jail systems, manages the Orange County Crime Lab, conducts criminal investigations, and provides training services at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.
IN THE NEWS: Planning $15M training center for officers to practice response tactics for public safety threats, which has attracted support from local business execs, including Henry and Susan Samueli and Palmer Luckey.
NOTABLE: Has worked to improve community programs that address local issues like drug addiction, homelessness and addiction. The SoCal native has lived in OC for over 40 years; he and his family are members of Saddleback Church in South Orange County. Says he plans to use his Instagram page, where he has about 15K followers, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence.
QUOTABLE: “America’s Semiquencentennial is an opportunity to teach the next generation about our history and our nation’s founding ideals. Over the course of this year, I will be sharing posts on OC Sheriff’s Department history and our part in the American story.”
