Editorial: Sheriff must improve public trust, employee morale

Jonsen said he will improve deputy morale by increasing communication and recognition of the work deputies are doing

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This editorial is the opinion of Gilroy Life

With the new year comes new leadership to guide the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

Voters in the Nov. 8 election selected Robert “Bob” Jonsen to bring his nearly four decades of law enforcement experience to deal with many challenges as the new sheriff. His job is made especially difficult because he will need to restore the public’s trust and heal employee morale after former Sheriff Laurie Smith’s tenure.

Gilroy Life publisher Marty Cheek and reporter Calvin Nuttall recently met Jonsen at the San Martin substation and asked about his goals for the department. He told them his role as an “outsider” in the agency will enable him to bring a fresh perspective to change the toxic workplace culture created by Smith.

Morale will take time to repair. The sheriff’s office has been under scrutiny in recent years due to allegations of civil rights violations and mistreatment of inmates in county jails. Smith resigned in December after 20 years as sheriff when a jury convicted her in a civil corruption trial involving jail mismanagement and a “pay-to-play” scheme involving gun permits issued by her office in exchange for campaign funds.

The decline of the department’s reputation and Smith’s failures in ethical leadership has led to low morale among deputies. Many feel they are being unfairly judged and their work is not being appreciated. The department has been also struggling with budget cuts, leading to concerns about staffing levels and resources. These issues have caused many deputies to feel overwhelmed and undervalued, also leading to low morale and hiring challenges.

Low morale among deputies can have a significant impact on the service they provide to the public. Deputies who feel overwhelmed, undervalued, and unappreciated may be less likely to go above and beyond to ensure that citizens are receiving the best possible service. Low morale can also lead to decreased efficiency, resulting in longer wait times for citizens in need of assistance. Ultimately, it is important for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to take steps to improve deputy morale in order to ensure that the public is receiving the best possible service.

Jonsen said he will improve deputy morale by increasing communication and recognition of the work deputies are doing. Improving morale requires taking specific steps. These include additional training and resources, improved equipment, and rewards for outstanding work. Jonsen will also need to implement policies that promote fairness and respect for all employees. We also encourage him to be proactive in building trust with the public by engaging in quality communication with citizens and the media, something Smith was weak at.

We especially hope the new sheriff will be assertive in taking action to alleviate the county’s jail challenges. The poor conditions in these facilities and malicious treatment by a few “bad apple” deputies have been attributed to a lack of accountability and oversight by Smith, as well as inadequate staffing and resources. There have also been reports of overcrowding and outdated facilities, leading to concerns about the health and safety of inmates. These issues have been addressed by the county’s board of supervisors and steps are now being taken to improve conditions in the jails.

Jonsen’s experiences as a young deputy in rural Los Angeles County have built a solid foundation for his understanding of the unique nature of the more rural South Valley compared with urban northern areas of Santa Clara County. As a police chief of Palo Alto, he has built solid relationships with other chiefs throughout the county — including Morgan Hill Police Chief Shane Palsgrove and Gilroy Police Chief Pedro Espinoza. This will play a role in building more cooperation and collaboration between the two cities and the sheriff’s department.

A county sheriff must have strong leadership qualities and be able to inspire trust and respect from their team and the public. Jonsen possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a deep knowledge of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That’s a must to make sound decisions in stressful situations and to think strategically in order to keep our communities safe.

Smith’s departure provides an opportunity for the county to move forward with a new start in the department with a leader who is committed to upholding the law and protecting the rights of all citizens. Sheriff Jonsen has in the past demonstrated strong leadership skills and the ability to make wise decisions in law enforcement. We trust he will take positive steps toward ensuring his office is held accountable and the rights of all citizens are respected. We wish him the best in his new role as the Santa Clara County Sheriff.