California: Governor Newsom Announces Appointments 3.14.23
The Californer/10233537

SACRAMENTO ~ Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of four individuals to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Jim Cooper of Elk Grove, Barry Donelan of Concord, Geoffrey Long of Sacramento, and James O'Rourke of Shingle Springs have been appointed to the commission. Eric Schmidt of Fresno has also been appointed to the commission.

Jim Cooper has served as Sacramento County Sheriff since 2022 and was a California State Assemblymember from 2014 to 2022. He was also Mayor and a member of the City Council for the City of Elk Grove from 2000 to 2014. Prior to that, he was a Captain at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department from 1984 to 2014. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Cooper is a Democrat.

Barry Donelan has been a Sergeant for the Oakland Police Department since 2006 and was an Officer there from 2000 to 2006. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Donelan is a Democrat.

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Geoffrey Long has been designated Chair of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, where he has served since 2016. He was Policy Director in the Office of the State Senate President pro Tempore from 2014 to 2016, Chief Consultant in the State Assembly Appropriations Committee from 1996 to 2014, and held several positions with the State Assembly Ways and Means Committee and Budget Committee from 1984 to 1995 including Chief Consultant, Staff Director, and Principal Consultant. He earned a Master of Theology degree from St. John's University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Long is a Democrat.

James O'Rourke has served as a Sergeant at the California Highway Patrol since 2007 after being an Officer there from 2000 to 2007. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. O'Rourke is a Republican.

Eric Schmidt has served as Deputy Sheriff at Fresno County Sheriff's Office since 1997 while also being an Adjunct Professor at Fresno City College since 2002. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation; Schmidt is registered without party preference

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