Richard Ridgeway

Sheriff's Lieutenant

San Francisco Sheriff's Office

11.1983 - 12.2016

Served as the acting Facility's Commander.
Served as the regular Watch Commander in charge of all personnel on the watch, payroll, paperwork, and assignments.
Served as the Incident Commander in all emergencies during the watch.
At Community Programs, I created the program for those on County Parole and implemented it.
The programs included education, drug and alcohol prevention, anger management, job placement, counseling, and community housing.
Regularly met with case managers about clients and their issues. Met with clients that were failing the program to resolve the issues.
Provided security and scheduling for four San Francisco courthouses.
Met with judges and attorneys for special requests about their clients in court.
Created three days of events for the California State Sheriff's Association. The event included all the sheriffs and their families, hosted at the Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Since city funds were not involved, I needed to fundraise $35,000. I eventually fundraised over $180,000 for 12 planned events.
When appointed Chief Financial Officer, we had not had a new vehicle in five years. I was told, "NO" new vehicles again. I stated my case to the Budget Committee and got 21 new cars and 2 new trucks.
When I was appointed in charge of Backgrounds (hiring), we had just opened a new jail, and another one was on the horizon. We needed staff. We put out a call and received over 2,400 applications. I suggested that we do a test at the Cow Palace, and that is where we held it. We filled our job quota.
As a new sergeant, I was chosen to open the new first-generation jail. I helped create the programs we still use with clients in custody today. I helped write the Policy and Procedures.
The programs that still exist are Anger Management, a Women's Empowerment Program, Educational Programs, and Substance Abuse Programs. With a Correctional Counselor, I would regularly counsel those failing the program. Our efforts were usually good at redirecting them back toward the program.
Throughout my career, I received regular updates on First Aid training. I have saved a couple of men's lives because of my training.
For well over 35 years, I have been a guiding force in the Sheriff's Christmas Program, with funds donated by staff. I now just assist by buying between 25 and 30 presents from a 'wish list' provided by an after-school program in the Mission. It is a wonderful reward for the children for staying away from gangs.