From Santa Cruz Sentinel. 

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — December 31, 2025 — …Santa Cruz County has found the next leader of its Probation Department.

The county announced Monday that Sandra Mendez, a law enforcement professional with more than two decades of experience, had been selected as the new chief of probation. Her first day on the job will be Feb. 2.

“Sandra brings the right combination of experience, integrity, and vision,” said county Executive Officer Nicole Coburn in the release. “Her background positions her well to lead the department into its next chapter while maintaining a strong focus on public safety, rehabilitation, and staff support.”

Mendez mostly recently served as the deputy chief of probation in Madera County — about 160 miles east of Santa Cruz — where she oversaw operations, staffing, budgeting and long-term strategic initiatives for youth correctional facilities and programs. Prior to that, she had a five-year stint in the department’s adult services division, and her career has included everything from frontline supervision roles to program development, to executive leadership.

“Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to public safety while helping individuals build pathways toward stability and success,” Mendez said. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff and community partners to strengthen outcomes for the people we serve.”

According to the release, Mendez has been committed throughout her career to evidence-based practices, rehabilitation and community-focused justice. Leveraging her experience with budget planning, the grant application process and oversight of contract services, Mendez has led development and implementation of multi-million-dollar programs, overseen capital-related projects and facility operations and managed large multidisciplinary teams. She also brings extensive knowledge of state and federal regulations and compliance requirements, according to the release.

Mendez’s career began as a correctional officer, then continued as a parole agent before she ascended to deputy probation officer and other supervisory and executive-level positions. She holds a degree in criminology from California State University Fresno and was recognized for her collaborative leadership style, bilingual capacity and ability to lead complex initiatives across justice, health and community-based partnerships, according to the release.

She has also received professional commendations and peer recognition for her work in program innovation, staff mentorship and collaboration.

Fernando Giraldo, Mendez’s predecessor, shared his intention to retire in May and clocked out for the last time July 25 after 12 years as probation chief and 30 years working at the county….

As an arm of the court, the Probation Department is responsible for pretrial assessments, probation supervision, alternative custody and juvenile detention across four divisions: pretrial, adult, juvenile and institutions, according to the county’s website. The department was awarded the 2019 National Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative’s Distinguished System Leadership Award. In 2024, it received the Visionary Chief Award from the California Office of Youth and Community Restoration for its work in juvenile justice.

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Read the full article here.