In a recent press conference, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez highlighted the Sheriff's Office's progress over her two-year tenure. Improvements include the modernization of facilities and workforce, advancements in public safety, and community investment. These updates come as Sheriff Martinez commits to reducing crime and enhancing the support services available to the county's residents.
According to a press release from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, notable advancements include a significant decrease in in-custody deaths, with the lowest numbers seen in over a decade. Additionally, there was a 65 percent drop in overdoses, and, notably, there were no suicides in jail last year, a first in more than 20 years. These improvements have been attributed to infrastructure upgrades, expanded medical and behavioral health care, and increased safety measures for individuals in custody.
Introducing a medical doctor or nurse practitioner at jail intakes, combined with additional screenings, has helped identify high-risk conditions earlier. The expansion of the Medication-Assisted Treatment program serves roughly 15 to 20 percent of the jailed population, blending medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to aid in recovery from substance abuse. Notably, the Sheriff's Office has also expanded mental health services by hiring pre-licensed clinicians, supporting career development, and enhancing service provision.
Security measures at county jails have been bolstered by the Contraband and Narcotics Interdiction Team (CNIT), which employs body scanners and other tools to prevent illicit items from entering facilities. Their work has helped achieve a 65 percent reduction in overdoses. In addition, the full deployment of body-worn cameras is expected to further transparency and accountability in Sheriff's Detention Facilities, with the East Mesa Reentry Facility scheduled for implementation next.
In law enforcement, the Sheriff's Office claims a drop in crime rates to their lowest in decades. This reduction is credited to proactive policing, community partnerships, and youth engagement programs. Programs like Rise Above and the RESPECT Project aim to offer mentorship and valuable life-skills training to young people seeking to build stronger community relationships and inspire future careers in public service. Efforts to engage youth include launching new programs like the Responder Ready Academy and Youth in STEM events, as well as initiatives such as the Sheriff's Spanish Academy serving Spanish-speaking communities.
On the recruitment and career development front, the Sheriff's Office unveiled the Sheriff’s Career Path App, which has expedited the hiring process and improved engagement with prospective candidates. The app allows users to track their application progress and directly contact recruiters, and it is available on both Google Play Store and Apple Store.
Infrastructure and technology have not been left behind in the Sheriff's modernization efforts. The office's IT department carried out the development of public-facing mobile apps, such as the Sheriff's Career Path App and the CCW Pro App. Upgrades to the records management system and the radio systems across jail facilities are also underway, enhancing public safety communication.
