SUBJECT
Title
SHERIFF - RATIFY ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS FROM THE SAN DIEGO HONORARY DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
County of San Diego Administrative Code Article III, Section 66 Acceptance of Gifts and Board of Supervisors Policy A-112, Acceptance and Use of Gifts and Donations, provide a process for accepting gifts by the administrative heads of each department in the County, subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors. This is a request to ratify the acceptance of donations with a combined value of $70,249 from the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association for supplies for the Rise Above Youth Program at the San Marcos and Vista stations ($6,781); gift certificates and gift cards for the Detentions/Court Services Academies ($1,300); a San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO) badge balloon for the Volunteer Services Unit ($8,474); three law enforcement patrol canines for the Canine Unit ($48,000); and supplies and equipment rentals for the Sheriff’s 175th Anniversary ceremony ($5,694).
RECOMMENDATIONS
SHERIFF
1. In accordance with County of San Diego Administrative Code Article III, Section 66 Acceptance of Gifts and Board of Supervisors Policy A-112, Acceptance and Use of Gifts and Donations, ratify the acceptance of donations from the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association valued at $70,249.
2. Authorize the Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the letter of appreciation on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the County of San Diego to the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Public safety success results from well-trained, well-equipped, and healthy personnel creating positive partnerships with our community. The donations from the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (HDSA) support Sheriff’s Office personnel and programs. These HDSA donations help support our employees from diverse backgrounds and identities by giving them resources and opportunities to provide quality services and participate in morale boosting community events. The acceptance and use of these donations demonstrates our commitment to enhance both employee and community wellness and engagement. The goal of the San Diego Sheriff’s Rise Above Youth Program is to reach all San Diego County communities. Participants and their families include members of our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action to receive donations in support of employee wellness, morale, and safety with adequate equipment, contributes to the County of San Diego’s Sustainability goal of providing just and equitable access. Having healthy and positive personnel assists with building trust and partnerships with our communities. By providing support to its youth programs, the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association is helping the Sheriff’s Office with furthering the County’s Sustainability goal of protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone in the region. The Rise Above Youth Program invigorates our staff, increases stakeholder engagement, breeds community participation, and enhances community awareness of the threat of substance abuse and gang involvement.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year fiscal impact associated with today’s request to ratify the acceptance of donations with a combined value of $70,249 from the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Future ongoing costs associated with the canines including, but not limited to, food and veterinary care, will be included in future Operational Plans for the Sheriff’s Office. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (HDSA) is a group of local business and community leaders with a long history of providing support to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office (SDSO), funding equipment purchases, as well as facilitating donations from private groups and citizens, to benefit the office.
Rise Above Youth Program is a new youth empowerment program developed and taught by SDSO staff from the San Marcos and Vista stations. It is an 8-week program for 9 to 12-year-olds that focuses on connecting youth with positive role models, teaching conflict resolution, leadership and involvement in community service projects and events. It is a free program where students and their parents interact with Sheriff staff and available community resources for 1.5 hours, one day a week. Each program started with about 35 students and averaged about 28-30 students showing up weekly. Parent participation was strong, and their support created an engaging family environment. From August to November 2024, the HDSA donated shirts, refreshments, table rentals and catering valued at $6,781 for the Rise Above Youth Program.
In October 2024 and February 2025, the HDSA donated two $450 gift certificates to the Deputy Sheriff’s Association store and two $200 gift cards to the 5.11 Tactical store. The $1,300 donation was given to recognize and celebrate the graduating cadet with the highest scores on their firearms qualifications in the 67th and 68th Detentions/Court Services Academies.
SDSO participates in several community events annually, including parades and sporting events, showcasing the Sheriff’s Office. During these events, the Volunteer Services Unit provides promotional and informational items to the public to increase recruiting efforts. In December 2024, the HDSA donated a SDSO balloon version of the Sheriff’s badge valued at $8,474 to use in the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade. The Holiday Bowl Parade is one of the largest balloon parades on the West Coast drawing over 100,000 spectators. The SDSO badge balloon, which has the Sheriff’s Office’s recruiting website printed on one side, will be utilized as a recruitment tool in future parades to assist in our continued efforts to recruit in community events.
The Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit was established in 1967 to support field units with highly skilled canine teams. Canines and their handlers respond to critical incidents and assist in law enforcement operations, including the apprehension of violent offenders and wanted suspects, as well as evidence and narcotics detection. Purchasing a new canine for the Sheriff’s Canine Unit is a time-consuming process and involves extensive testing to find suitable candidates. The canines undergo training in protection, article searches, tracking suspects or evidence, and detecting drugs. In March 2025, the HDSA donated three law enforcement patrol canines valued at $48,000 to add to the canine team.
The Sheriff’s 175th Anniversary ceremony marks a historic milestone in the office’s legacy of service, dedication, and partnership with the communities we proudly serve. This significant event not only honors 175 years of public safety and community protection but also celebrates the deep-rooted relationship between the SDSO and the people of our county. We are honored to welcome law enforcement dignitaries, government leaders, community partners, as well as our dedicated employees and volunteers, whose collective efforts continue to shape our mission. Sponsored by the HDSA, the ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to public service and highlights the enduring support from those who stand alongside us in strengthening the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods. In April 2025, the HDSA donated invitations, event programs, a time capsule, helium for the SDSO badge balloon, and chair and restroom rentals valued at $5,694 for the ceremony.
This is a request to ratify the acceptance of donations with a combined value of $70,249 from the HDSA for supplies for the Rise Above Youth Program at the San Marcos and Vista stations ($6,781); gift certificates and gift cards for the Detentions/Court Services Academies ($1,300); a SDSO badge balloon for the Volunteer Services Unit ($8,474); three law enforcement patrol canines for the Canine Unit ($48,000); and supplies and equipment rentals for the Sheriff’s 175th Anniversary ceremony ($5,694).
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Sustainability, Equity, Community and Justice Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan by dismantling barriers and expanding opportunities in traditionally underserved communities by accepting and utilizing donations to be used for the benefit of providing resources that support crime prevention to the residents of San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
KELLY A. MARTINEZ
Sheriff
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - Letter of Appreciation to the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association