LAKEPORT ? Lake County Deputy Sheriff Francisco Rivero filed his Candidate Intention Statement for the position of Lake County”s Sheriff-Coroner as well as his pledge to abide by the provisions of the Code of Fair Campaign Practices, according to a public information release.
Rivero said, “I was inspired to run for the position of sheriff by the desire to restore trust in the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO), provide professional law enforcement to the citizens of Lake County, and create a professional work environment for the LCSO employees.” He brings a combination of law enforcement experience, business expertise and an unwavering commitment to justice for every Lake County citizen, visitor, and employee, according to the press release.
As a child, Rivero immigrated to the United States as a political refugee from Cuba. He remembers seeing governmental and police abuse of power, and he recalls his family and neighbors being afraid of the police and the government. His experiences as a young child molded his views of what is appropriate law enforcement conduct and what is not. It also lead him to become a strong advocate for human and civil rights
Rivero began his law enforcement career with the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) in 1984.
Valedictorian of his police academy class, he worked patrol in San Francisco”s toughest and most diverse neighborhoods. He was recruited for specialized assignments, including elite crime suppression units and the Narcotics Bureau. While employed with SFPD and earned his California Funeral Director”s License and founded Pacific Interment Service in San Francisco.
Under his direction, it became the second largest volume cremation service in the Bay Area.
Rivero states he will correct the lack of appropriate training, supervision, and leadership that has caused the public”s distrust and left deputies demoralized.
“The vast majority of our members are being judged by the conduct of a small group of less-ethical co-workers, he said.” He said he will use available state and Federal homeland security grant money to provide training, education and state-of-the-art equipment for the department and its members.
Rivero said, “I will re-engineer the department and redirect departmental resources to better protect the public.” He will fill the positions of elder abuse and child abuse detectives that have remained vacant for years.
The press release states that Rivero will also reduce the number of desk jobs and move more officers into field enforcement where they will better serve the public”s needs and safety.
