San Andreas, CA…Today re-elected Calaveras County Sheriff Rick DiBasilio was joined by friends, family, members of the Sheriff’s Office and dignitaries to observe him during a ceremonial swearing in ceremony for his next term. With his wife by his side, the oath was administered by Undersheriff Rachelle Whiting.

Sheriff DiBasilio was first appointed to office in 2016 by our Board of Supervisors after a competitive process against multiple well qualified candidates. Two years later he successfully won the election. In 2022 he ran unopposed.

Going into a new term of office, Sheriff DiBasilio and members of the Sheriff’s Office reflected on the last six years. Sheriff DiBasilio noted several proud accomplishments during his tenure as Sheriff:

COVID over the last couple years. While this might seem unorthodox to recognize covid as a milestone, it has been a lot to go through as a department and as first responders. The Sheriff’s leadership focused on the safety of our staff and community through this pandemic coupled with protecting our constitutional rights.

Despite agencies across America struggling to recruit law enforcement officers in an overly competitive job market, with Sheriff DiBasilio’s push for aggressive recruiting we are rivaling larger agencies. We have 8 recruits at two academies right now and 5 on the training program.

Sheriff DiBasilio oversaw the certification of more department instructors for POST certified courses. This allows for frequent onsite training at a lower cost than utilizing outside trainers.

We recently “broke ground” on our on campus tactical training center. It will be utilized for more scenario based
trainings to ensure properly trained deputies and SWAT Team members enhancing overall officer safety.

Ensured the department keeps up with needed technology and equipment.
Last year we obtained a body scanner for the jail for better safety of inmates and staff in the facility.
A mass spectrometer that can detect the presence of fentanyl or explosives without having to touch or handle the substance.

BearCat armored rescue vehicle. The armor capability and level of protection has proven it is worth time and again and especially just a couple months ago when it was fired upon during an officer involved shooting and protected the lives of deputies inside.

Body cameras and in car vehicle cameras. Aiding in prosecution of crimes and reducing the number of complaints against officers.

Improved the Marine Safety Fleet by replacing boats of which some were old and leaking. We also now have staff members that are instructors for Department of Boating and Waterways. Leading law enforcement at the state level.
One of our sergeants was elevated to a regional director for the California Hazardous Materials Investigators Association.

Growing our Sheriff Volunteer pool of resources with over 30 members of the Sheriff’s Volunteer Unit and 32 Volunteer Search And Rescue members.

Started the YANA – you are not alone program for our elderly citizens.
Established behavioral health case managers embedded in our jail with rapid access to patrol staff, the jail population, and the community.

Enacted the Jail Based Competency Treatment Program in our facility and significantly increased revenues to the County.

Cold Case Unit using cutting edge DNA resources and forensic anthropology to identify remains and resolve cases.
Body cameras and in car vehicle cameras. Aiding in prosecution of crimes and reducing the number of complaints against officers.

Many of the items on this list enhance officer safety, increase efficacy, and increase the overall service provided to the citizens of Calaveras County.

On behalf of the members of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, we would like to wish Sheriff DiBasilio well in his second term and thank him for his leadership.