Press Releases - Jim Cooper for Sheriff

I Would Be Honored To Serve As Your Sheriff

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Career Accomplishments

Area Crime Targeted by Sheriff's Programs
The Sacramento Bee - April, 1997
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper an Eye-Opening Experience
The Sacramento Bee - February, 1996
Cop Tells Mills Students to Say No to Gangs and Drugs
The Grapevine Independent - October 1991
Drugs, Cash Seized in Area Raids; 26 Arrests
The Sacramento Union - July 1991
Sheriff's Department Honors Deputies for Bravery
The Grapevine Independent - May, 1991
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Statement From Jim Cooper On the Arrest of Inmate Released From Sac County Jail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2010

Press Contact: Roger Salazar

(916) 444-8897

Sheriff’s Candidate Calls for State to Let Locals Say NO to Early Release of Violent Offenders

SACRAMENTO – Captain Jim Cooper, a candidate for Sacramento County Sheriff, today released the following statement following a report from the Sacramento Bee that one of the inmates released from Sacramento County Jail as part of the State’s efforts to reduce the prison population was arrested less than 24 hours after getting out of jail:

“I am appalled by the news of the rape arrest of one of the offenders who was released from jail less than 24 hours earlier due to Legislative requirements to reduce the sentences of county inmates.” Cooper said. “The decimation of law enforcement resources due to budget cuts means that our worst fears are becoming reality. Response times to 911 calls have increased, Sheriff’s deputies have been laid off and now the state piles this on top of us. This is unacceptable and it must stop.”

“The state must pass legislation immediately that gives local authorities the ability to have a voice and say no to early release for violent felons who are serving time for minor offenses,” Cooper continued. “We need to make choices that make the safety and security of our communities the highest priority.”

Cooper added. “I agree with the sentiments of Kevin Mickelson, president of the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff’s Association who said the State has ‘duped the citizens of California into believing they’ve released only nonviolent offenders back into the communities.’ I also share his concerns that the Deputy Sheriff’s Association was not made aware of the planned release of inmates earlier. While our resources are far from adequate at this point, the one thing that we must not skimp on is communication with each other.”

“Losing cops is unacceptable, cutting law enforcement programs is unacceptable, and releasing violent prisoners before the completion of their sentences must end now,” Cooper concluded.

Cooper spent nine of his 25 years in law enforcement undercover taking down gangs and drug dealers and has been honored with a Bronze Star for Bravery. Currently, Cooper leads the High-Tech Crimes Task Force, cracking down on identity thieves and Internet predators that target children online.

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Sacramento County Law Enforcement Managers Association (LEMA) is proud to announce their endorsement for Sheriff's Candidate Captain Jim Cooper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2010
Contact: Michael Ziegler
(916) 717-3530

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento County Law Enforcement Managers Association (LEMA) today announced that the LEMA Membership overwhelmingly voted to endorse Captain Jim Cooper for Sacramento County Sheriff by 2/3rds of the vote.

LEMA is an organization comprised of Public Safety leaders. Our Members are Upper and Middle Management personnel from the Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, District Attorney’s Office, Department of Human Assistance and Public Defenders Office. We strive to draw the best law enforcement professionals into the Management ranks so that we can provide the highest level of Public Safety service.

This is why we are excited to announce that Candidate Jim Cooper is the absolute best candidate to lead our leaders through these tough times. Along with an in-depth knowledge of the Sheriff’s Department and the public safety issues within Sacramento County, Jim has:

Extensive executive level experience with inside knowledge of the Sheriff’s Department.
Extensive command experience and has held a command within every Division in the Sheriff’s Department.
Extensive experience as a street cop; he’s “been-there and done-that.”
Extensive government experience – He has served as an Elk Grove City Councilman and two terms as Mayor and has made smart fiscal decisions to lead that city to a budget surplus in this tough economy.

Candidate Jim Cooper is a proven political leader with the ability to bridge gaps, secure outside funding, spend wisely and provide quality public safety services.

LEMA is proud to support and endorse Candidate Jim Cooper as the next Sheriff of Sacramento County and we are confident he is the right choice, at the right time.

Michael Ziegler Gordon Smith

President, LEMA Vice President, LEMA

Sacramento Central Labor Council AFL-CIO Throws its Support to Jim Cooper for Sheriff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2010
Press Contact: Roger Salazar
(916) 444-8897

SACRAMENTO – Captain Jim Cooper continues to rack up supporters and most recently was endorsed by the Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO in his bid to become the next Sheriff of Sacramento County in 2010.

“Throughout your 25 years in law enforcement and civic service, you have been a great friend to the working men and women of Sacramento County,” wrote Bill Camp, Executive Secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council in a letter to Captain Cooper. “As an Elk Grove City Councilman and the city’s first Mayor, we have observed your ability to make tough, but smart budget decisions that have helped Elk Grove weather this tough economy while keeping our members employed.”

“When we examined the records of your support of working families through your work at the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and the Elk Grove City Council, your record stands out above each of the other candidates in your commitment and accomplishments,” Mr. Camp added.

The Sacramento Central Labor Council, representing 160,000 AFL-CIO members in the Sacramento region, bases their candidate endorsements on working families' issues. It is one of many organizations and individuals lending their support to Captain Cooper, including former Sheriff Lou Blanas; the California Asian Peace Officers PAC; the Sac-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council; the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee and many others (see www.jimcooperforsheriff.com for complete list).

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Sacramento Central Labor Council,” said Captain Jim Cooper. “I have said before that getting the public back to work is a very important task and I look forward to working with the Council in the future to ensure Sacramento County residents, which includes laid-off deputies, get back to work and are able to continue to support their families.”

Cooper also serves as a founding Councilmember for the City of Elk Grove. Due to the Council’s sound fiscal planning, Elk Grove has one of the largest surpluses in the region with $13 million in reserve. As Elk Grove’s first Mayor, Cooper set the tone for how the City conducts business today, with accessibility, regional partnership and public engagement as the cornerstones for a successful government.

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Statement from Captain Jim Cooper on the Withdrawal of Former Sacramento Police Chief Al Najera from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Race

For Immediate Release
January 19, 2010
Press Contact: Roger Salazar
(916) 444-8897

SACRAMENTO –Sheriff’s Captain Jim Cooper today released the following statement in response to the withdrawal of former Sacramento Police Chief Albert Najera from the 2010 race for Sacramento County Sheriff:

“Chief Najera has served the people of Sacramento for more than 20 years as a law enforcement professional and leader and I commend him for his service,” Cooper said. “In his statement, Najera mentioned the fiscal ‘harsh reality’ Sacramento County is facing. This ‘harsh reality’ is something with which many of us in the department are all too familiar and it’s one of the reasons I decided to run for Sheriff.”

“Getting the proper handle on the tough budgets in the coming years is a daunting challenge and will require the right combination of leadership and experience,” Cooper added. “As someone who cares deeply about my community, not only do I welcome that challenge, I feel it is my responsibility to help meet it. As a decorated Sheriff’s Deputy and local elected leader, I am committed to making the right choices for the Department during these rough economic times while maintaining the safety and security of the community.”

“I wish Chief Najera well and look forward to working with him in the future,” Cooper concluded.

Cooper also serves as a founding Councilmember for the City of Elk Grove. Due to the Council's sound fiscal planning; Elk Grove has one of the largest surpluses in the region. As Elk Grove's first Mayor, Cooper set the tone for how the City conducts business today, with accessibility, regional partnership and public engagement as the cornerstones for a successful government.

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California Asian Peace Officers PAC Endorses Jim Cooper for Sacramento County Sheriff

For Immediate Release
December 22, 2009
Press Contact: Roger Salazar
(916) 444-8897

SACRAMENTO – Captain Jim Cooper has been endorsed by the California Asian Peace Officers PAC (CAPO PAC) in his bid to become the next Sheriff of Sacramento County in 2010.

"The California Asian Peace Officers PAC is pleased to endorse you for Sacramento County Sheriff," wrote CAPO President Captain Trang To and Officer Randy Kajioka, Vice President of Operations and Chair of the Endorsements Committee, in a letter to Cooper. "We were tremendously impressed by your commitment to strongly support public safety officers and programs in local government and we are honored to join other leadership in support of your candidacy."

The California Asian Peace Officers PAC joins a long list of residents, community leaders, groups and law enforcement officers from Sacramento County, including former Sheriff Lou Blanas; the Sac-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee and many others (see www.jimcooperforsheriff.com for complete list).

"I am honored to have the support of the Asian Pacific American law enforcement officers," said Cooper. "I have made it my first priority to focus on public safety and the safety of those that protect Sacramento County residents and I look forward to working with the California Asian Peace Officers in the future."

Cooper also serves as a founding Councilmember for the City of Elk Grove. Due to the Council's sound fiscal planning, Elk Grove has one of the largest surpluses in the region with $13 million in reserve. As Elk Grove's first Mayor, Cooper set the tone for how the City conducts business today, with accessibility, regional partnership and public engagement as the cornerstones for a successful government.

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Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce PAC Endorses Jim Cooper for Sacramento County Sheriff

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2009
Press Contact: Roger Salazar
(916) 444-8897

SACRAMENTO – Captain Jim Cooper today was endorsed by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce PAC in his bid to become the next Sheriff of Sacramento County in 2010.

"On behalf of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce PAC, it's my pleasure to advise you that you have earned the SHCC PAC endorsement for election to the office of Sheriff, County of Sacramento," wrote SHCC PAC Chairman John Rueda in a letter to Cooper. "The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and its PAC, are dedicated to supporting candidates such as yourself that seek to empower and advance Latino-owned businesses in the greater Sacramento region. We look forward to the continuing opportunity to work with you in this cause."

Cooper has also been endorsed by a broad cross-section of residents, community leaders, groups and law enforcement officers from Sacramento County, including former Sheriff Lou Blanas; the Sac-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee and many others. (see www.jimcooperforsheriff.com for complete endorsement list)

"It is an honor to have the support of Sacramento Hispanic businesses," said Cooper. "Hispanics represent 20% of the population in the county and are very active as small business owners and advocates. In order for business owners in our county to succeed, they need a safe, secure environment from which to operate and that will be my top priority as Sheriff."

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Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council Endorses Jim Cooper for Sacramento County Sheriff

For Immediate Release
December 15, 2009
Press Contact: Roger Salazar
(916) 444-8897

SACRAMENTO – Captain Jim Cooper today was endorsed by the Sacramento-Sierra Building Trades Council in his bid to become the next Sheriff of Sacramento County in 2010.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce our endorsement of your candidacy for Sacramento County Sheriff," wrote Sacramento-Sierra Building & Construction Trades Council Executive Director Matt Kelly in a letter to Cooper. "Our delegates, representing 25,000 members in the Sacramento region, endorse candidates based on their commitment to working family issues. We have followed your work and commitment on the Elk Grove City Council and look forward to your leadership as Sheriff to the different communities in the Sacramento region. Thank you for your dedication."

Cooper has also been endorsed by a broad cross-section of local residents, community leaders and law enforcement officers from Sacramento County, including former Sheriff Lou Blanas; Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee; Mayors Steve Miklos of Folsom and Christopher Cabaldon of West Sacramento; and many current and former Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies.

"I am honored to have the support of the Sacramento-Sierra Building & Construction Trades Council," said Cooper. "Working families are having a tough enough time in this economic climate and the one thing they ought to feel secure in is their safety. One thing I've heard from working families over and over again is that it's time for new leadership in the Sheriff's Department. I will fight with a passion to ensure our working families are safe."

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It's Official – Cooper is Running for Sheriff

Excerpted from The Sacramento Bee
By Kim Minugh
Published: Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Sacramento County Sheriff's Capt. Jim Cooper formally announced his candidacy for sheriff Thursday, flanked by several dozen local politicos and law enforcement officials.

Cooper's intentions to run were no secret. The day Sheriff John McGinness announced that he would not run for re-election in June, Cooper, who also is an Elk Grove city councilman, said he intended to run.

On Thursday, he said the Sheriff's Department is in need of a "new direction."

"It's time to make safety and security for our community our priority," he said.

Cooper serves as commander of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes task force, which investigates crimes against children involving the Internet and identity theft. He touted his street experience – including the nine years he spent working gangs and narcotics undercover – and his leadership on the Elk Grove City Council.

Among those endorsing Cooper are former Sheriff Lou Blanas, Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee and Elk Grove City Council members Gary Davis and Sophia Scherman.

"Times have changed," Blanas said. "We need a sheriff that's going to be tough."

He hailed Cooper as a "dedicated family man" and an "outstanding officer."

Cooper said restoring funds to the Sheriff's Department is a top priority for him. He would accomplish that, he said, by working with the Board of Supervisors and building relationships with power brokers in Washington, D.C. That would entail bringing back a disbanded grant-writing unit to the department, he said.

Cooper called the recent layoffs of roughly 130 deputies "unacceptable," though he acknowledged that he didn't see how the department could have avoided the move and said he expects more layoffs in the next fiscal year.

Cooper brings a history of successes and controversies. In 2006, the Sacramento County grand jury blasted him and Michael Leary – a sheriff's lieutenant and former Elk Grove City Councilman who was arrested recently on charges of real estate fraud and forgery – for allegedly violating state conflict-of-interest laws. The report said they had illegally debated and voted on issues related to Elk Grove's contract with the Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services. That was before Elk Grove created a police department.

The District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute.

To date, Cooper faces two opponents in the race: Sheriff's Capt. Scott Jones, who has been endorsed by McGinness and the California Peace Officers Association; and Bret Daniels, a former deputy and former Citrus Heights mayor who has run for the sheriff's post three times unsuccessfully.

Former Sacramento Police Chief Albert Nájera has expressed interest in a run but has not announced a campaign.

Jim Cooper Officially Announces Candidacy for Sacramento County Sheriff

For Immediate Release
October 22, 2009
Contact: Roger Salazar
(916) 444-8897

SACRAMENTO – Captain Jim Cooper was joined by Sacramento-area elected officials and his supporters today as he announced the end of his exploratory phase and the beginning of his official candidacy for Sheriff of Sacramento County in 2010.

"Over the past few months, I have been talking to my neighbors across Sacramento County about the issues they are facing, especially when it comes to public safety. One thing I’ve heard over and over again is that it's time for a new direction in the Sheriff's Department," said Cooper. "As a result of the many conversations I've had with local leaders, supporters and my neighbors, I am ending the exploratory phase of my campaign and officially declaring my candidacy for Sheriff of Sacramento County."

A decorated Sheriff’s Deputy and elected community leader, Cooper said that the Department is in need of a shift in leadership- someone who will make better choices for the Department during tough economic times while maintaining the safety and security of the community as Sacramento County’s #1 priority.

He explained that nine of his 25 years in law enforcement were spent undercover taking down gangs and drug dealers and that he was honored with a Bronze Star for Bravery. Currently, Cooper is leading the High-Tech Crimes Task Force, cracking down on Internet predators that target children online.

Cooper was immediately endorsed by a broad cross-section of law enforcement officers, elected community leaders and residents of Sacramento County, including former Sheriff Lou Blanas; Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee; Mayors Steve Miklos of Folsom and Christopher Cabaldon of West Sacramento; City Councilmembers Gary Davis and Sophia Scherman of Elk Grove, Ray Trethaway of Sacramento, and Andrew Meredith of Galt; and many current and former Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies. (See attached endorsement list for initial endorsers.)

"I will fight with a passion to ensure our citizens are safe," said Cooper. "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. I say it's time for both," continued Cooper.