Virtually all correctional budgets went to staff that operated traditional prisons, jails and reform schools. Accountability, reform, and communityARCis the basis of her platform, she has said. Alameda County Sheriff's Commander Yesenia Sanchez (pictured at left) and San Francisco police Officer JoAnn Walker (pictured at right) are running against Sheriff Gregory Ahern in the June 7 primary election. The sudden loss of nearly 50 sheriff's deputies comes after former Santa Rita Jail Deputy Devin Williams Jr. was arrested in connection to the murders of a Dublin couple. I represent the change Alameda County needs. Greg Ahern, incumbent. I had to make use of every minute.. As sheriff, Sanchez wants to review the offices contracts to build in language so that deputies are not pulled away from the jail to fill positions elsewhere. By Melissa Hernandez Staff Writer Sept. 27, 2022 3:37 PM PT The Alameda County Sheriff's Office has stripped 47 deputies of their firearms and peace officer duties after an internal audit. The Oaklandside relies on reader support to remain free for everyone in our community. Ahern, a 42-year veteran of the sheriffs office, was first hired in 1980 and promoted to sergeant in 1986. Accountability. Jerry Brown. The candidates for county sheriff-coroner are (from left) incumbent Greg Ahern and challengers Yesenia Sanchez and JoAnn Walker. It was critical. In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess the following critical attributes: Alameda County sheriff's deputy Devin Williams Jr., 24, of Stockton, is the suspect in the killing of a married couple inside a Dublin home. "As a 26-year law enforcement veteran, my career has given me keen insight into strategies that work, versus strategies that look good on paper. 1 The reporters and editors on The Oaklandside are dedicated to sharing the mic, reporting on systems, not symptoms, and providing you with the information you need to be an informed resident of our city. It is not lost on me how momentous it is that Ia Black womanhave taken on the charge to fix and reform how law enforcement services are delivered in Alameda County, she said on her website. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Special Pubs Experience -- or whether a change of leadership perspective is needed -- has emerged among the key themes of the campaign so far, along with public safety, racial justice reform, reducing recidivism and transparency. Sign up for The Oaklandsides free daily newsletter. Sanchez says her candidacy will focus on rehabilitation and job training for incarcerated people, racial justice in law enforcement, holding the sheriffs office accountable and connecting with people. For years, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office hired candidates even after they were declared "Not Suited" in their psychological exams, according to the letter. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Also running for Alameda County Sheriff is JoAnn Walker, a 26-year San Francisco police officer who has won support from a handful of council members in Oakland, Fremont and San Leandro.. by David DeBolt May 6, 2022 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jerry Brown, Congressman Eric Swalwell, District Attorney Nancy OMalley, Supervisors Nate Miley and David Haubert, more than two dozen California county sheriffs, and former Oakland police chiefs Wayne Tucker, Sean Whent, and Anne Kirkpatrick. "The Alameda County Sheriffs Department is charged with a complex balance of responsibility interwoven into the fabric of our communities' daily lives," she said, adding: "It is not lost on me how momentous it is that I -- a Black woman -- have taken on the charge to fix and reform how law enforcement services are delivered in Alameda County. Her parents had lost their home to foreclosure and she was couch surfing at relatives homes and helping to support her family. A graduate of Patterson High School in the rural Central Valley town of Patterson, at age 19 Sanchez moved back to Hayward where she had spent her childhood. Sanchez, a Hayward native and lifelong . You can also donate with a check. She has worked for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office for 24 years, since she was 19. Candidate - Alameda County Sheriff 2022 Oakland, CA. Walker is running as a progressive alternative to Sheriff Ahern and promises to address the high number of in-custody death at the county jail, increase transparency around the sheriffs budget, and cut the backlog of untested rape kits. March 7. Your donation makes this and all our other local reporting possible. The sheriffs cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would only happen if there were a criminal warrant for someone signed by a judge, she said. On Sunday, January 9th, 2022, Indivisible Livermore hosted a forum of the three candidates in the 2022 Primary Election for Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner. Advertising Info In February, a judge placed the jail under federal court supervision for at least six years. The ROV has notified the City of Oakland, Oakland Unified School District, School Director District 4 candidates, and the Secretary of State. Greg Pak Police Officer at San Francisco International . Voters have the rare opportunity to decide a competitive race for Alameda County sheriff-coroner as incumbent Greg Ahern is being challenged by two candidates . Mike Kusiak of Castro Valley led a group of six volunteers in his unincorporated town. "I am committed to leading the Alameda County Sheriff's Office with the utmost integrity, serving the community equitably and inclusively, and making sure the Agency ensures safety in the community by investing in it," she added, on her campaign website.The other challenger is Walker, a longtime county resident whose law enforcement experience has been across the Bay as an officer with the San Francisco Police Department. The campaign targeted areas traditionally viewed as Ahern strongholds. The current sheriff, she said, has too much influence over the disciplinary process. We worked sometime together at Dublin police services, so shes just somebody who I admired since day one with the sheriffs office.. | 63% of Oaklanders are unhappy with city government | | Get tickets to Culture Makers, {{#label}}{{label}}: {{/label}}{{message}}. Castro declared victory this week over incumbent L.K. It is not easy. Voter Guide for California Midterm Elections 2022. "Ahern, who rose through the ranks of the sheriff's office since being hired as a deputy-sheriff in 1980, including a long stint with Dublin Police Services under the city-county contract, has been the county's sheriff since January 2007 after winning election in 2006.The incumbent's campaign website describes his mission as to "protect the public, build strong relationships with the community, and prevent people from turning to crime through prevention, enforcement, programs, and service. Sanchez is in favor of establishing a civilian oversight board for the sheriffs office and promises to end cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. With introspection, hard work and cooperation, we can make the needed changes at the Alameda County Sheriffs Department," she states on her campaign website. Home & Real Estate Her supporters had been trying to recruit someone to run against Ahern for years, but no one stepped up, Sanchez said. The purpose of the oral board interview is to assess a candidate's work experience, communication and interpersonal skills, ability to problem solve and motivational fit for a peace . Ahern told The Oaklandside he is running for his fifth term because of recent challenges, in particular the class-action lawsuit that resulted in a consent decree at Santa Rita Jail. Sanchez, a sheriffs commander, won 52% of the vote, clinching the primary and sending Ahern into retirement. If you value what you get from The Oaklandside, please join us with a tax-deductible donation today so we can continue doing the local reporting that matters to you. Community. It takes a deputy or police officer to contest a sheriff, someone who also lives in the county, and that often means an underling, fringe candidate, or no one at all. Gavin Newsom for cameras to aid in quick response and investigations into freeway shootings.On the issue of accountability, Ahern said he is "firmly committed to transparency, de-escalation, and advanced training so that public interactions with law enforcement are always fair, safe, and professional.He added, "There has never been a more critical time to have a proven and effective leadership. "It's very clear that I have the qualifications and experience needed to continue on as sheriff," Ahern told the Weekly in a recent interview. by David DeBolt June 15, 2022 An Alameda County native, Ahern was hired as a deputy sheriff for the ACSO in 1980. He lists out a range of programs and initiatives on both the criminal investigation and detention sides of the operation, including new investigative units to combat street crimes, gang activity and DUIs, a cold case division for homicides and sexual assaults, crisis response such as wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ghost Ship fire, and starting a youth and family services bureau. Most inmates in Alameda County jail go to prisons in California when discharged from Alameda County jails. Help sustain the local news you depend on. Voter Profile ; Elections ; Voting ; Resources ; Community ; Candidates ; Election Information; Archived Elections; Calendar ; Election Cost ; Register to Vote ; Vote Centers ; Voting Rights; Military and Overseas Voters; Ways of Voting; 24-Hour Drop Box Map /a> The way the June 7 primary election works: if none of the candidates receives 50% or more of the vote, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held during the November general election. In an interview with The Oaklandside last week, Mariano Contreras, an Oakland resident and member of the Latino Taskforce said that over the past few months Sanchez emerged with a platform offering reformist goals, compared to Aherns conservative law-and-order messaging. When you are in these positions you gotta show that you are in touch, that you have the pulse of the people you represent, De La Fuente said. The sheriff has the authority to issue or deny concealed-carry permits that allow citizens to carry firearms. 0:59. Updated: Mon, May 23, 2022, 2:02 pm Her current role is overseeing and managing Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Ahern has endorsements from sheriffs all over California, along with U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., former Gov. Alameda County District 3 (Oakland-San Leandro-Alameda-Unincorporated) Rebecca Kaplan, councilmember, Oakland Lena Tam, former Alameda councilmember District Attorney Pamela Price, civil rights activist Terry Wiley, Alameda County chief assistant DA Congress 10th District (Concord-Lamorinda-Dublin) * Mark DeSaulnier -D, congressmember Additionally, she will be one of two Latinas to ever be elected Sheriff in California's history. The forum lasted from 1 . Express The sheriff is in charge of the offices budget, currently about $550 million, as well as 1,000 sworn deputies and 700 professional staff. If elected probably would not submit to interviews, this in itself indicates lack of transparency. In early 2021, it appeared that Ahern was going to call it quits. Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley called the election results a total shock. Mileys supervisor district represents parts of Oakland and the unincorporated areas of Castro Valley, Cherryland, and Ashland. We amplify community voices, share the power of real information, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. Alameda County Sheriff Coroner Gregory J. Ahern speaks as first responders are honored during an Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. A federal judge earlier this year placed the jail and sheriffs office under a consent decree, which is the result of a class action lawsuit over conditions at the jail and the treatment of mentally ill incarcerated people. Im a 25 year veteran, I am the highest ranking Latina in the sheriffs office, Sanchez said. It also helps your family, friends and Oakland neighbors have access to reliable, independent reporting. Aherns endorsements include former Gov. There has never been rehabilitative ERA in American corrections. Walkers endorsements include San Leandro Vice Mayor Victor Aguilar Jr., former Fremont Councilmember Vinnie Bacon, Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb, Fremont Councilmember Jenny Kassan, and the Wellstone Democratic Club. Walker, a progressive alternative, made a splash announcing her campaign for sheriff along with civil rights attorney Pamela Prices run for district attorney. The agency's Chief Executive Officer is Sheriff / Coroner Yesenia L. Sanchez, who is assisted in the operation of the agency by Undersheriff Richard T. Lucia, Assistant Sheriffs Emmanuel Christy, and Colby Staysa. He eventually rose to the position of assistant sheriff, working several assignments at the jail, on patrol, and overseeing the Eden Township substation. Your contribution matters. Sanchez joined the Alameda County Sheriffs Office as a technician in 1997 and moved up the ranks as deputy sheriff, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and is currently the division commander overseeing the Santa Rita jail in Dublin. Your generous donation will help power Yesenias grassroots campaign and be used towards hiring campaign staff, events, printing campaign literature and signage, field operations, digital advertising, and more. JoAnn Walker is one of two candidates running against the incumbent in the race to become Sheriff of Alameda County. With 46.80%, Alameda County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Among her key campaign visions, Sanchez lists out rehabilitation of and job training for the jail population, racial justice in law enforcement, community engagement and accountability. Alameda County sheriff's Commander Yesenia Sanchez is the county's new sheriff. De La Fuente told The Oaklandside that Ahern kept a quiet presence, even with his department under fire about deaths at the jail and his other public controversies. San Francisco Police Department Officer JoAnn Walker, who lives in Alameda, finished Election Night in third at 16.80%. Withdrawn or disqualified candidates Peter Yuan Liu (Nonpartisan) 2018 See also: Municipal elections in Alameda County, California (2018) Nonpartisan primary election PR MediaRelease "As a 26-year law enforcement veteran, my career has given me keen insight into strategies that work, versus strategies that look good on paper.". The Oaklandside reached out multiple times to Walkers campaign for an interview. A donation to The Oaklandside goes beyond the newsroom. The strategy seems to have worked. I knew this was a really good opportunity to force a runoff or a win outright, Kusiak said. Sign up for The Oaklandsides free daily newsletter. The reporters and editors on The Oaklandside are dedicated to sharing the mic, reporting on systems, not symptoms, and providing you with the information you need to be an informed resident of our city. Alameda County. Sanchez, who is currently the commander of Santa Rita Jail, clinched the primary election with 52% of the vote, becoming the first female and first Latina sheriff in the agencys 169-year history. Below is a look at the three candidates, their priorities, and where they stand on key issues. Besides needing a background in law enforcement or being certified as a deputy or police officer, the job comes with a number of administrative duties. "Sanchez said she would also look to engage the community to improve crime prevention and safety efforts by the sheriff's office. What I tell people in my inner circle is the same information I am going to give to people who are not in my inner circle. I think it is time for a new person to come in.. Walker entered the race early as a progressive candidate and on the promises of addressing the high number of in-custody deaths at the county jail, increasing transparency around the sheriffs budget, and cutting the backlog of untested rape kits. "Establishing a community-centered culture that aligns with 21st-century policing practices and values" will be key toward achieving those goals, according to Walker, who did not respond to the Weekly's request for an interview.She calls on her range of assignments while with the SFPD on topics such as terrorism, community relations, field training, peer support counseling, academy instruction, hate crimes, tactical communications, and crisis support and suicide prevention. In 2013, she became a lieutenant at North County Jail, a captain in 2015, and a division commander in 2020. It was the countys first contested sheriffs election since 1986. Marin - Municipal Special Vacancy (City of Mill Valley) Marin - Municipal Special Vacancy (Novato Unified School District) If you value what you get from The Oaklandside, please join us with a tax-deductible donation today so we can continue doing the local reporting that matters to you. She said she had not yet spoken to Ahern but will see the sheriff in an executive team meeting on Friday. The reporters and editors on The Oaklandside are dedicated to sharing the mic, reporting on systems, not symptoms, and providing you with the information you need to be an informed resident of our city. A donation to The Oaklandside goes beyond the newsroom. The three candidates are running to lead an office that has far-reaching and wide-ranging responsibilities, a $550 million budget, and 1,000 sworn deputies and professional staff. 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