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. Looking to unseat the sheriff from within, Sanchez has worked for the sheriff's office since 1997 and has elevated to become commander of the Detention and Corrections Division in 2020. Until this election, no one had bothered to run against Ahern, who was first elected in 2006. The Oaklandside relies on reader support to remain free for everyone in our community. Former Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, who endorsed Ahern, is by no means a criminal justice reform advocate, but even he was not surprised by the election outcome. No one filed papers to run against Ahern, making his ascension to the job assured. In Alameda County, Ahern has had a strong support base in the Tri-Valley and southern parts of the county and within the sheriffs administration. Since most small police agencies do not have their own training academies, the sheriffs office trains recruits who go on to work as police officers throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. Sign up for The Oaklandsides free daily newsletter. Official Election Site of Alameda County. I have faith that voters in Alameda County are ready for a change in how our community is policed.". We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. Im going to call bullshit on that. He is an opponent of establishing civilian oversight of his office, an idea that is currently being explored by the Board of Supervisors and community groups. "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. Help sustain the local news you depend on. Sanchez declared victory in an interview with The Oaklandside on Tuesday evening after most ballots had been counted. That information is withheld for as long as possible, she said. "Devin Williams was the catalyst," Lieutenant Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office told CNN. (510) 517-3423. Were journalists for Oakland. 1 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. The Sheriff of Alameda County is responsible for a vast array of tasks and duties, including the following: He also placed importance on his current role as the director of emergency servicescoordinating responses to wildfires and other disastersfor a region that covers the Bay Area and a large swath of Northern California. Since 2014, at least 58 people have died at Santa Rita Jail, which is located in Dublin, and the facility is now subject to external oversight and a series of mandatory reforms following the settlement of a class-action lawsuit that alleged the sheriff wasnt providing adequate mental health services. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Oracle Park beer to drop at this price for 2023 season, Curry injury update: Superstar making good progress, Over 90 lbs of fentanyl recovered in Alameda County, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, Accused Martinez mail truck robber facing charges, Overturned big rig shuts down traffic on in San Mateo, Berkeley car thieves targeting these 2 vehicles, Montgomery High student fatally stabbed in art class, Bay Bridge lights set to go dark in just days, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. At two early forums, audience members showed great interest in the candidates' opinion of Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern, and whether they would advocate, for example, using the board's . The Dublin facility will be under court monitoring for three years. The advocates who want to have this oversight are the same people who previously said dont spend any money on the sheriffs office, it should be used for social causes. Civilian oversight, he said, would cost $1 million a year. I grew up in the ranks and Ive treated people the same way, no matter where I was assigned. Withdrawn or disqualified candidates Peter Yuan Liu (Nonpartisan) Campaign themes 2022 Ballotpedia survey responses The county sheriff also is the countys coroner, the official who oversees medical examinations of all suspicious deaths and homicides, and manages Santa Rita Jail, one of the largest jails in the nation. 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, sheriff's office Division Commander Yesenia Sanchez and San Francisco Police Department Officer JoAnn Walker. Yesenia Sanchez, challenger. To some, Sanchez didnt appear at first like a reform candidate. I am showing my respect for their sacrifice, and a reminder to their family, friends and other law enforcement that those are not forgotten.. If a deputy working one of those assignments goes out on injury or another type of leave, deputies from the jail are used to backfill those positions. In 2009, his budget was slashed $21.7 million, which has had a lasting effect on services provided at Santa Rita Jail and elsewhere. Yesenia is a 24 year veteran of the Alameda County Sheriffs Office who wants to make transformational change through community engagement and investment, rehabilitation of the jail population, and a focus on accountability. I understand trying to help people out when they are asking the sheriffs office to do so but we also have to be mindful of the essential services we are providing., Sanchez supports the idea of having civilian oversight of the sheriffs office and said it would help keep the office accountable. The internal affairs unit should be autonomous. 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. If elected, she would request independent investigations of in-custody deaths at Santa Rita Jail. The first contested sheriffs race in 36 years comes in the wake of a debate over law enforcements share of general fund dollars and the best ways to spend that money. Privacy Policy, 2023 PleasantonWeekly.com Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Walker, a progressive alternative, made a splash announcing her campaign for sheriff along with civil rights attorney Pamela Prices run for district attorney. When an allegation is brought against a deputy, she said top-level staff decide whether internal affairs should investigate. I worked with her when I was a technician and then became a deputy and I promoted to sergeant and Ive admired her throughout her career, said Peggy Servantez who is a supporter of Sanchez. Having the full force of the East Bays democratic political machine, its volunteers, and its money certainly gave her a boost. 201,827 votes. Sheriff commanders, who run search-and-rescue and dive teams, the crime lab, the gun range, and a regional training center, where current officers train, all work under the sheriff. Thirty of the deputies who failed. She disagrees with Ahern on whether the outside contracts, which include providing police services for Dublin, actually bring in revenue. Your donation goes beyond supporting our journalism. 63% of Oaklanders are unhappy with city government, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. This coverage extends to every office on the ballot for residents of these cities, including local trial court judges. Volunteers worked across campaigns, dropping off materials for Sanchez and other progressive candidates, including Alysee Castro, a candidate for county superintendent of schools. Ballots can be returned through the Postal Service (the return postage is already paid) or dropped off at a voting location or in a ballot drop box.Keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. Thats the one thing I havent done. The four candidates vying to replace Nancy O'Malley all have impressive resumes and a commitment to reform. Uploaded: Thu, May 19, 2022, 5:41 pm News If none of the three candidates get 50% or more of the vote in June, there will be a runoff election between the top two vote-getters in November. That is something I will continue to do as sheriff, treat people with respect regardless of what rank they hold or whatever environment they grew up in.. We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. Sheriff Ahern is also the director of emergency serviceslike in the event of a major earthquakefor a region that covers the Bay Area and a large swath of Northern California. Due to budget constraints, Ahern said hes looked elsewhere to ensure the office avoids layoffsstaffing accounts for about 70% of the budget. Express "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. "The fundamental basis of my platform is: Accountability. Ahern conceded the election to Sanchez in a statement tweeted out by the sheriffs office on Wednesday. Home & Real Estate I think the sheriff was caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to Santa Rita Jail and I have a lot of sympathy for what he had to go through there. Salary: $112,736.00 - $135,928.00 per year. Yesenia Sanchez for Alameda County Sheriff 2022 Yesenia is a 24 year veteran of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office who wants to make transformational change through community engagement and investment, rehabilitation of the jail population, and a focus on accountability. 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. And what does the county sheriff do, anyway? I think Im the only person that can put our sheriffs office in an advantageous position to help the community and maintain public safety, Ahern said. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. We need more community input and engagement, and transparency and accountability need to be priorities," Sanchez, a Livermore resident, told the Weekly. That is not something we should be doing.. Candidates You can vote for 1 of these 3 candidates. During her campaign, shes promised to demilitarize the sheriffs approach to policing, limit cooperation with federal immigration agents, and conduct a review of all department policies, training practices, and internal procedures. Yesenia Sanchez led the race for sheriff-coroner and nearly received the 50%-plus of overall votes needed to win the seat outright after an initial tally of ballots on Tuesday night. It also helps your family, friends and Oakland neighbors have access to reliable, independent reporting. Blogs Can Oakland become a filmmaking hub? 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