Jim Cooper for Sheriff

Thank you for visiting my website. I'm running for Sheriff of Sacramento County because I am passionate about protecting our community.

25 years in Law Enforcement . . . Bronze Star for Bravery

Some say it's time for a Sheriff with "street" experience. While others say it's time for a sound fiscal manager who can make the right budget choices during these tough economic times.

Elected Community Leader . . . First Mayor of Elk Grove

I say it's time for both. As a decorated Sheriff's deputy and an elected community leader, I have the experience to do the job and will provide the leadership to do it well.

Public safety and security have always been and will continue to be my number one priority. In managing the day-to-day operation, the five issues I will address are:

1. Fiscal impact, having to do to more with less
2. Keeping deputies on the street
3. 911 response time
4. Diverse recruitment and retention
5. Community outreach and education-staying connected to the community we serve

I will work collaboratively and continue to identify state and federal granting opportunities to keep sworn officers employed and community officer programs instituted. I already have had success success in identifying and securing grant funding that has kept officers employed in the High Tech Crimes Unit when they would have been subject to recent layoffs; as an Elk Grove Council member, I successfully advocated members of Congress securing $120 million in infrastructure and transportation grants for the city creating new job opportunities; and have led and contributed to Elk Groves's 10 consecutive balanced budgets.

We need to have a clear direction throughout the Sacramento Sheriff's Department with a transparency and accessibility within the Office of the Sheriff. We need to look at new ways to efficiently operate as a department. We cannot continue with the status quo. I will continue to collaborate and make compromises as necessary working with both the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the public safety unions, but will make the hard decisions and take the necessary risks to move this department forward during these tough economic times.

In the past 18-months we have seen the elimination of our community policing program; community substations have been closed or reduced to being staffed by volunteers; and 911 response times have increased to unacceptable levels while miscellaneous funding levels have increased and sworn officers continue to be laid off. We need to change all that if we want businesses and residents to stay in our communities and even expand and that is what I intend to do.

- Jim Cooper