Chief Probation Officer Swears In 33 Peace Officers

Thirty-three peace officers were sworn in Thursday to help the San Diego County Probation Department manage the new influx of felons from the state prison system.

“Since August, I’ve promoted 29 officers and hired 31 new Correctional Deputy Probation Officers,” said Chief Probation Officer Mack Jenkins. “It’s all part of the growth the probation department has to do for the realignment implementation. We will be responsible for at least 2,000 more felons and we have to grow.”

Among those Jenkins promoted was Cesar Escuro, who will serve as the director for the newly created Post Release Offender Division. Escuro, who has a law degree and has worked for the department for 16 years, is “well-suited to manage the new division of high risk offenders,” Jenkins said.

The chief also promoted Denise Huffhines, Robert Pettengill and Christiene Andrews (who did not attend) to Supervising Probation Officers at the ceremony.

He told the supervisors their job will be challenging at times because they must serve as an advocate and voice for those they manage while meeting the needs of their own managers at the same time.

Jenkins also swore in 29 Deputy Probation Officers Thursday, who were promoted from Correctional Deputy Probation Officers. 

“You carry a badge and you carry the status of a peace officer in this state and you will be held to a higher standard. As a probation officer and deputy probation officer, you literally control the liberty of another human,” Jenkins said.

The chief emphasized to the newly sworn officers how important rehabilitation is to their mission. Jenkins told them they need to be able to identify those who really want to change their behavior and offer services and treatment.

“That is what I expect, that is your role,” Jenkins said. “The role of probation is protecting the loved ones behind you - the community at large - and focusing on offenders and trying to reduce recidivism by helping them change their behavior.”

He also told them they needed to commit to excellence to succeed in their careers. He defined excellence in three steps: Caring about your job because you’ve been tasked with it; Working in an ethical way with the highest standard of integrity; and looking for every opportunity to support your coworkers.