Chief Probation Officers of California

Deirdre Benedict is the Supervising Analyst for the Judicial Council of California’s Pretrial Unit in the Criminal Justice Services Office. Since joining the Council in 2000, she has worked on projects involving judicial education, court support, and policy development, including serving as lead staff to the Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee. Deirdre was a key staffer for the Chief Justice’s 2016 Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup and later led the Pretrial Reform and Operations Workgroup (PROW).

Anders Benoit is a teacher at a Juvenile Court school in Shasta County, where they support youth through River’s Edge Academy. The program’s mission is to empower youth not only to become functional, contributing members of the community, but also to grow into leaders within their region. This fall, Anders will complete a Master’s in Restorative Practices with an emphasis on Relational Facilitation for Healing Trauma from the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP).

Erin Burton is a Senior Deputy Probation Officer with the Sacramento County Probation Department and has over 17 years of experience working in Probation as a juvenile corrections officer as well as a field supervision officer. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 2007 with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and in 2012 with her Master of Arts Degree in Child Development. Erin is currently the Homeless Liaison Officer under the Adult Community Corrections Division and is assigned to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team.

Cynthia Chase is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years’ experience in juvenile and criminal legal system reform as a Social Worker, Probation Officer, Corrections Director of Programming, and the Executive Director of the original Gemma Program. Cynthia has been recognized as a dedicated leader and tireless advocate in her work at the intersection of justice and gender. As a subject matter expert, Cynthia has worked to improve systems and outcomes for marginalized individuals at the city, county, and state level.

Brian K. Ford is the Chief Probation Officer for Alameda County, leading one of California’s largest and most progressive probation departments. With over 23 years in criminal justice, he is recognized for advancing evidence-based practices, leadership development, and equitable outcomes for justice-involved individuals and families. He began his career with Los Angeles County Probation in 2002, serving 16 years in various leadership roles before joining Alameda County.

Nicole Green, MSW, ASW is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker at The Gemma Project, specializing in providing trauma-responsive and gender-responsive therapy to formerly incarcerated women. Informed by her own lived experience with incarceration, Nicole brings a unique depth of understanding and empathy to her work. Her clinical practice includes facilitating therapeutic workshops, leading supportive group therapy sessions, and offering tailored individual therapy to address the complex behavioral health needs that can arise from incarceration and trauma.

The Honorable Denise Hippach is the Supervising Judicial Officer of the Santa Barbara Superior Court and the first African-American to serve as a Superior Court judge in Santa Barbara County. A graduate of the USC School of Law, she was admitted to the bar in 2003 and has since built a wide-ranging career in public service.

Chief Steve Jackson has over 27 years of experience in the field of community corrections. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Azusa Pacific University. Steve began his career in probation in 1998 in Stanislaus County. He promoted through the ranks and became the Assistant Chief Probation Officer in San Joaquin County in 2019.  Chief Jackson was appointed as the Chief Probation Officer for the San Joaquin County Probation Department in March 2020.

Jeremy Kenyon is the current Division Director of the Shasta County Juvenile Rehabilitation Center for Shasta County Probation Department. After earning his BA degree from Morningside College in Social Science, Director Kenyon entered public service. Director Kenyon has worked in the field of probation services and community corrections since 2006 and spent the entirety of his career at the Shasta County Probation Department working in both the Adult and Juvenile Divisions. After working himself through the ranks of line staff, he was promoted to Division Director in 2019.

Simone Tureck Lee has dedicated over two decades to advancing the well-being of transition-age youth who have experienced California’s foster care system. Beginning her career within foster care, mental health and youth development in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, Simone transitioned to statewide advocacy and systems-change in 2009 when she joined John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY).

Rosemary Lamb McCool serves as Deputy Director at the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC), where she primarily focuses on juvenile justice policy and assists in overseeing the association’s day-to-day operations. With twelve years of experience at CPOC, Rosie previously worked on public safety policy at the California State Association of Counties. She began her career as an Executive Fellow in Attorney General Bill Lockyer’s Office through the Capitol Fellows Program, relocating from southern California to Sacramento.

Chief Tamika Nelson joined San Diego County Probation in January 2022 after serving as the Assistant Chief Probation Officer in San Joaquin County.  She brings 20 years of experience in the field, starting as a Probation Officer in 2001 while earning her Juris Doctorate from the Humphreys School of Law in Stockton.  In addition to her law degree, Ms. Nelson earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.

Deputy Chansavang Oriyavong has served with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office since 2013. Prior to his law enforcement career, he served 4.5 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman, completing two combat deployments to Iraq. His military background instilled a strong foundation of discipline, resilience, and teamwork. He began his law enforcement service at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC) before transitioning to patrol, where he spent seven years primarily in north Sacramento County.

Anthony is an expert in positive psychology, the applied science of human happiness. Anthony is a professional speaker, facilitator and professional development coach working regularly with probation teams and has presented at conferences hosted by probation organizations such as APPA, CAPSA, CPOC, PBMA and has worked directly with multiple probation departments in California including Contra Costa, San Mateo and Kern and Tulare Counties. He is a certified STC provider with BSSC.

Lisa Randall is a Supervising Probation Officer for the San Francisco Juvenile Department and has served the City and County of San Francisco since 2011. SPO Randall currently oversees Placement, Secure Track, Prop 57, and ICJ and is passionate about assisting youth in finding their opportunity for change. The majority of SPO Randall’s career has been focused on working with high risk offenders and reentry. Prior to starting her career at San Francisco Juvenile Probation, SPO Randall worked in behavioral health, as an institutional counselor, and as a residential counselor.

Myrinda Schweitzer Smith received her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice and is the Executive Director of the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. Dr.

Chief Tullock became a Deputy Probation Officer 25 years ago and she is the first employee in the department’s 110+ year history to promote through the ranks to become the Chief. She has experience with the implementation of major criminal justice legislative reforms, including the 2011 Public Safety Realignment Act; has effectively represented the department at the local, state, and national level; and has led numerous and wide-ranging initiatives and programs designed to help justice involved individuals restore their lives.