Los Angeles County Probation Department

Executive Office

The Chief Probation Officer is responsible for the daily operation of the Department and for formulating a long-term vision that will enhance administrative services and field operations.Managing the largest Probation Department in the world, the Chief Probation Officer oversees an annual budget of approximately $547 million, a total of over 5,200 employees, and the supervision of approximately 60,000 adult and 20,000 juvenile probationers. The Chief Probation Officer, similar to other county department heads, reports directly to the county's Board of Supervisors.

The Chief Probation Officer presides over the Executive Leadership Team and conducts bi-monthly meetings with executive managers to discuss operations, and practices & policies. Direct reports to the Chief Probation Officer include two Chief Deputies, the Director of the Affirmative Action Office, and the Director of the Ombudsman Office.

The Chief Deputy Officer directs and oversees the operations of eight bureaus that include: Administrative Services, Adult Field Services, Adult Special Services, Detention Services, Juvenile Field Services, Juvenile Special Services, Management Services, Residential Treatment Services, and Detention Services. The Quality Enhancement Office also reports directly to the office of the Chief Deputy.

This office plays a leading role on the Executive Leadership Team to define and formulate departmental policy and to develop and implement operational strategies, initiatives, and programs consistent with the vision of the Department. To maximize resources, this office promotes, initiates, and facilitates internal and external efforts to create interdepartmental and interagency partnerships to deliver new or enhanced services to probationers, victims, and others. Further, this office provides direction and oversight to enable Operations bureaus to deliver quality and timely services and work products mandated by law, established by Departmental policy, or set forth in contractual agreements and grants.

In addition, the Chief Deputy is also responsible for the Business Development Office which provides administrative support and technological assistance to improve the efficiency of Probation operations. This office provides the Department with efficient and cost effective support services in the areas of: purchasing; contracting; transportation; transcribing; facilities planning; construction; and other essential functions for the proper operation of the Department's camps, juvenile halls, and field/administrative offices. Part of the Business Development's mission is the efficient and effective utilization of resources necessary to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. In furtherance of these goals, the Chief of Business Development promotes growth and retention of department staff, seeks technological innovations to improve departmental operations, and explores grants for capital and operations projects.

Office of the Ombudsman, Jessica Gama

It is the policy of the Los Angeles County Probation Department to represent fairly and equitably the interests and concerns of the public and the community it serves. To this end, the Los Angeles County Probation Department Office of the Ombudsman has the authority to investigate complaints and to act on other matters of the Department in promoting the highest level of service and quality.

The Probation Department Ombudsman is vested with responsibility to assist members of the community in general and probationers in particular with departmental issues of fair treatment and equity. The Ombudsman is an informal fact finder and consultant. The Ombudsman is not responsible for due process, but does investigate complaints and aids in achieving efficiency and justice.

Sexual Harassment/Affirmative Action Compliance Program Office, Francine Jimenez

It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal opportunity in county employment for all qualified persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap and to maintain an affirmative action program of whatever scope necessary to eradicate the effects of past discrimination (L.A.C.C. Chapter 5.08, 5.09 & 5.10).

To that end, the Probation Department established the Sexual Harassment/Affirmative Action Compliance Program Office (AACPO) to ensure that business conducted on behalf of the County adheres to the tenets and intent of equal employment opportunity laws, rules, and regulations. In addition, AACPO conducts a program of affirmative action that is consistent with the elimination of artificial barriers in employment and strives to achieve a work force reflective of the communities served (Ord. 11313 Subsection 2, 1976; Ord 4099 Art. 100 Subsection 19101, 1942). AACPO promotes policies and practices that foster and value individual differences in heritage and culture in the workplace.