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Time to Register! CPOC & CPOC Foundation Statewide Conference 2024
Supporting Excellence in California Probation: Strategies for Success Conference
CPOC and CPOC Foundation are thrilled to announce the opening of registration for our upcoming statewide conference, Supporting Excellence in California Probation: Strategies for Success! This transformative training event aims to educate and elevate probation professionals throughout California, providing attendees opportunities to expand their knowledge, skills, and tools to enhance their probation work across the state.
The conference will delve into various topics, focusing on key areas of probation’s work, including:
- Support for foster youth in the juvenile justice system
- The juvenile justice continuum, including SB 823 implementation
- Working with adults in the justice system including: reentry, supervision, and connections to services
- Pretrial programs and services
Join us in Anaheim for this one-of-a-kind conference!
Dates: June 24-26, 2024
Conference Registration: Register HERE
Cost: $575 ($356.25 STC reimbursable)
Hotel Information – book your room today and save!
Anaheim Marriott
700 W Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
Link to Reserve Room: Reserve HERE
Discounted Room Rate: $209 a night (not including local/state tax or fees)
The deadline to book under the discounted conference rate is June 2, 2024. Save money by booking your hotel stay today to take advantage of the discounted rate.
Schedule of Events
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Sunday, June 23, 2024 |
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
Welcome Reception (TBD) |
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Monday, June 24, 2024 |
8:00 am – 4:30 pm |
General Sessions, Breakouts, Exhibitor Hall |
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Tuesday, June 25, 2024 |
8:00 am – 4:30 pm |
General Sessions, Breakouts, Exhibitor Hall |
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Wednesday, June 26, 2024 |
8:00 am – 12:00 pm |
General Sessions |
STC’s pending approval for 19 STC hours
For more information contact please contact conference@cpoc.org.
Kern County Probation Office is Rebuilding Families One Participant at a Time
From 23 ABC Bakersfield.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Here in Kern County, redemption is taking center stage. Participants in an intensive rehab program are marking the holidays surrounded by loved ones and allies who refuse to give up on them. This annual celebration is a powerful statement: no matter your past, its never to late to rewrite your future.
Probation in Action: San Bernardino County Officers Strengthen Community Well-Being Through Operation Holiday Cheer
The San Bernardino County Probation Department’s Homeless Outreach Unit embodied the true spirit of community service this season through Operation Holiday Cheer, an initiative focused on extending compassion, resources, and human connection to people experiencing homelessness.
ICYMI: A Ride-Along With Tuolumne County Probation Department
From My Mother Lode
Sonora, CA — Mother Lode Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil spent the day on a ride-along with the Tuolumne County Probation Department (TCPD) to better understand the work they do.
Fresno County’s Chief Kirk Haynes named Chief Probation Officer of the Year for 2025
From the FOX 26 and Hanford Sentinel.
December 9, 2025 – Chief Kirk Haynes of the Fresno County Probation Department has been honored as the 2025 Chief Probation Officer of the Year by the Chief Probation Officers of California.
The award, which is rarely given, recognizes extraordinary leadership and transformative contributions to the probation profession.
The last award was presented nearly a decade ago in 2016.
CPOC President Chief Steve Jackson praised Haynes, saying, “Chief Haynes represents the very best of our profession. He is a leader who inspires trust, elevates people, and strengthens systems wherever he serves.” Jackson highlighted Haynes’ integrity and leadership, which have significantly shaped Fresno County’s success and guided statewide efforts through challenging policy landscapes.
Roberto Morfin recognized as California North Region Employee of the Year at Statewide Probation Awards Ceremony
From the Lake County News.
December 10, 2025 – Roberto Morfin, supervising deputy probation officer with the Lake County Probation Department, has been recognized at the statewide 2025 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California Awards Ceremony as the North Region Probation Employee of the Year.
The awards honored his exceptional leadership, transformative impact on department operations, and deep commitment to supporting justice-involved individuals and staff alike.
“Roberto is a dedicated leader who brings consistency, compassion, and professionalism into every part of his work,” said Lake County Chief Probation Officer Wendy Mondfrans. “His ability to lead with integrity while strengthening our programs and staff makes him an invaluable member of our department. His work helps people in the justice system take part in transformative rehabilitation programs, making our communities safer for everyone.”
Placer County Probation’s Dean Dittman Receives CPOC Statewide Recognition with Affiliate Employee of the Year Award
From the Placer Sentinel.
December 8, 2025 – Dean Dittmann, a longtime leader within the Probation IT Managers Association (PITMA), a driving force behind the affiliate’s statewide growth, and a valued member of the Placer County Probation Department, has been honored at the statewide 2025 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) Awards Ceremony with the PITMA Employee of the Year Award. This award recognizes Dean’s visionary leadership, his commitment to elevating IT services for Probation Departments throughout California, and his remarkable ability to build connection and community within the probation profession.
“Dean’s leadership has helped transform how probation impacts our communities and brings people together to enhance the probation profession not just here in Placer County but throughout the entire state,” said Chief Brian Passenheim, Chief Probation Officer of Placer County. “His creativity, authenticity, and ability to foster collaboration have made a profound difference in how our teams connect and work together.”
Butte County Judge Wins CPOC Statewide Award for Judicial Excellence
From the Action News Now.
December 8, 2025 – The Honorable Jesus Rodriguez, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Butte County Superior Court, received the Judicial Officer of the Year Award at the 2025 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California Awards Ceremony held in Redding. This recognition highlights his exceptional leadership and commitment to justice and rehabilitation.
“Judge Rodriguez exemplifies judicial excellence in every respect with fairness, empathy, professionalism, and humanity,” said Melissa Romero, Chief Probation Officer of Butte County.
Orange County Probation Department’s Kim Olgren-Potter Recognized with Probation Affiliate Employee of the Year Award for Exceptional Leadership
From the Huntington Beach News.
December 8, 2025 – Kim Olgren-Potter, Business Services Deputy Director for the Orange County Probation Department and a long-serving leader within the Probation Business Managers Association (PBMA), has been honored at the statewide 2025 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California Awards Ceremony with the Affiliate Employee of the Year Award for PBMA. This award recognizes Kim’s exceptional commitment to the probation profession, her leadership in advancing fiscal and administrative excellence, and her dedication to supporting probation professionals throughout California.
“Kim’s steadfast dedication to PBMA and her willingness to continually step up for her colleagues make her incredibly deserving of this recognition,” said Daniel Hernandez, Chief Probation Officer of Orange County. “Her knowledge, mentorship, and commitment to strengthening our profession and our communities have made a profound impact on Orange County and on probation departments statewide.”
California Probation Chiefs Elect New President and Executive Officers for 2026
Sacramento, Calif. – December 5, 2025 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) has selected its executive leadership team for 2026, naming Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause of Contra Costa County as President, Chief Izen Locatelli of Mendocino County as Vice President, and Chief Tamika Nelson of San Diego County as Secretary/Treasurer.
Shasta County Probation Officers Commended for Life-Saving Action in the Field
From Shasta County.
The department is proud to recognize two outstanding team members, DPOs Gabrielle Redelsperger and Kurtis Hult, for their quick thinking and heroic response during an unexpected emergency in the field.
San Diego County Probation Helps Youth Plan for Successful Reentry Into the Community
From San Diego County News Center.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., – November 24, 2025 - The Cal-AIM Justice-Involved Initiative can benefit people recently released from custody. It can reduce medical and behavioral care service gaps and emergency room visits. The initiative is in motion to launch in correctional facilities across the state.
…
In October, County Probation’s youth correctional facilities became the first in the region to go live with this new system. San Diego is the third county probation department in the state to implement this system.
Probation can now bill the state to recapture some of the costs of providing treatment to youth. This new revenue will enhance treatment and therapy options for youth in custody.
“San Diego County has long been a leader in the reentry space and this milestone has truly been a department-wide achievement,” said Chief Probation Officer Tamika Nelson. “The outstanding collaboration, process improvement, and dedication across every division, along with our partners, has brought us a long way in a short time. We are working to ensure youth leaving our facilities are connected to the medical and behavioral health care and community support they need to succeed.”
County Spotlight: From Addiction to Business Owner – How Nevada County Probation Changed One Man’s Life
From Nevada County News Flash, by Laura Petersen, Nevada County public information contractor
NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – July 24, 2025 – Keether Merry’s relationship with drugs started early in life. So did his experience with incarceration. Then he turned his life around thanks to help from Nevada County Probation.
…Merry shared how his personal experience with Nevada County Probation helped him break a downward cycle and change his life in a positive way.
“What I can say about Nevada County Probation Department is they help facilitate a safe environment for people like me to better their lives. They facilitated an environment that motivated me to become willing to change and open minded enough to take in new ideas,” he said.
Office of Traffic Safety Awards $207,000.00 Grant to the Santa Barbara County Probation Department for Intensive Supervision Program for High-Risk DUI Offenders
From the Santa Barbara Independent.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – November 13, 2025 – Santa Barbara County Probation Department announced today that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for an intensive probation supervision program for high-risk individuals with multiple DUI convictions. The grant program runs through September 2026.
“This grant strengthens our ability to hold high-risk DUI offenders accountable and protect our community from the dangers of impaired driving,” said Holly Benton, Chief Probation Officer for Santa Barbara County. “Through intensive supervision and targeted enforcement, we can reduce repeat offenses and enhance safety on Santa Barbara County’s roadways.”
Marin County Probation Department Leads Sex Offender Compliance Sweep to Strengthen Community Safety
From the County of Marin.
San Rafael, Calif. – August 12, 2025 – The Marin County Probation Department collaborated with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a compliance sweep on October 30 to ensure accountability among individuals on active supervision for sex offenses.
Sacramento County Probation Department Conducts Family Violence Sweep
Sacramento County, CA, October 31, 2025 – On October 22, 2025, in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Sacramento County Probation Department’s Family Violence Unit conducted a county-wide probation compliance sweep with the assistance of the Sacramento Police Department (Family Abuse Unit), Sacramento Sheriff’s Office (North POP Unit), Galt Police Department, Rancho Cordova Police Department, Folsom Police Department, Elk Grove Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation K-9 Unit.
Demolition of Old Juvenile Hall is Symbolic to Contra Costa County Administrators Seeking New Path for Juvenile Justice
From Mercury News.
There was a time when young people would land in “juvee” for crimes as minor as shoplifting, marijuana use and fights on school grounds. That approach existed even when Tamara Gusman-Taylor, director of Martinez’s Juvenile Hall, started working in juvenile justice 18 years ago.
But times have changed.
“That’s not the juvenile halls of today — it’s not what you see in the movies or on TV,” Gusman-Taylor said. “We have young people that are the most serious felony offenders that we are trying to rehabilitate.”
That’s why Esa Ehmen-Krause, who was appointed Contra Costa County’s Chief Probation Officer in 2020, finds symbolism in the planned demolition of the county’s old juvenile hall — built in the 1950s and expanded in the 1970s to house hundreds of young offenders. Tearing down the building, she said, adds momentum to larger efforts to restructure juvenile services, creating paths out of facilities that were once designed to house youth for long periods of time.
“This project is a really good visual representation to the community – to our young people – of the county’s commitment,” Ehmen-Krause said Tuesday, answering the phone during a bidders conference meeting about the upcoming demolition. “We want to make sure that we are creating opportunities for our young people that are age appropriate and really programmatically robust.”
Riverside County Probation: ‘Raising the Future’ To Brings Youth Empowerment, Workshops and Giveaways To Palm Desert
From Patch
PALM DESERT, Calif. – October 17, 2025 – A day of empowerment, education, and community connection for children and young adults is coming to the desert as the Riverside County Probation Department and local partners host “Raising the Future” on Saturday.
The free, family friendly event will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of California, Riverside – Palm Desert Campus, located at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive.
Attendees can look forward to a full schedule of skill-building workshops, live entertainment and keynote speakers focused on inspiring youth and adults alike.
Designed to foster leadership, growth, and opportunity, Raising the Future aims to strengthen ties between county agencies and community-based organizations working to uplift local families.
Napa County Debuts Probation Department Mobile Services
From Napa Valley Register
Napa, Calif. – October 15, 2025 – Napa County Probation Department services are going mobile.
The county bought and outfitted a 32-foot-long van using a $483,000 state grant. The Probation Community Outreach Mobile vehicle has the technology to act as a mobile courtroom and provides meeting space for probation clients.
“Bringing the office to clients who struggle with transportation will improve the likelihood they report to probation, which is the underlying reason for the majority of warrants,” a county report said.
