Unfortunately, other than in instances of spectacular crimes, little done by the Department received media or public notice. Bilingual Community Services Officer Rita Valdivia, was appointed as the Department's Public Information Officer, to serve as Departmental spokesperson and liaison to the media. Once again, reaction from the public has been extremely favorable. A training, unit was established with Sergeant Darrell Hibbens being named as training officer. Department wide training days were established, a video link to POST was made, and outside agency trainers were utilized.
All employees are now in compliance with all mandated training.
It is important that law enforcement officers be easily and immediately recognizable by the public, thus most deputies are required to wear a uniform while performing their duties. Previously, uniform items being worn were not consistent and several varieties of uniform were in use. Sergeant Colleen Wiesert, headed a uniform committee that established a policy which specifies what uniform items are the only ones approved to be warn. Even the public has noted the improvement in Deputy appearance. Unfortunately farmers and ranchers are frequent victims of property crimes.