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“Being appointed Chief Probation Officer was one of the proudest moments in my probation career. Over the past 12 years, I have considered it a privilege and a great honor to serve the department as its Chief,” stated Orange County Probation Department Chief Probation Officer Steven Sentman. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have led an organization of such dedicated and talented people.”
Chief Sentman began his career with the department in 1985 as a Probation Night Counselor assigned to Orange County Juvenile Hall. He ascended through the ranks, joining the Executive Management Team in 2007.
Over the course of his career, Chief Sentman has been instrumental in enhancing the Probation Department’s role in the criminal justice system. He was part of the group that guided the County and department through the challenges of the 2011 Public Safety Realignment (AB 109), which shifted adult parole responsibilities from the state to the county level and included significant impacts to local justice system agencies.
Championed by Chief Sentman, the department enhanced the use of youth programing from the moment they enter the juvenile justice system. The department made it a priority to focus on alternatives to confinement and community-based collaboration in working to assist youth with leading lawful and productive lifestyles. These efforts have proven to be beneficial to youth and their families, while also ensuring that the department maintains a commitment to serve the community and assist victims using efficient and research supported corrections practices. Objective use of programs and options such as Wraparound, diversion and home supervision reduced further entry of youth into the juvenile justice system and have led to a sharp decline in juvenile detention in the County.
“I am proud to have been part of the team that built the Orange County Probation Department into the innovative, forward-thinking, respected agency it is today,” Chief Sentman said. “It is the right time for a new Chief to come in and take the department initiatives to the next levels.”
Orange County Chief Executive Officer Frank Kim has named Orange County Probation Department Assistant Chief Probation Officer Bryan Prieto to oversee the department’s operations effective March 25, 2022. Assistant Chief Probation Officer Prieto has been with the department for 30 years and has served as the Assistant Chief Probation Officer since 2019.
