The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors today approved the County Administrator’s selection of Todd Billeci to serve as the Chief of Probation. Billeci, who previously was the Assistant County Probation Officer, was recognized by the Board of Supervisors for the significant contributions he has already made to the Department, and Supervisors were encouraged by the vision he has to lead the award-winning operation.
“I’m very pleased that Todd is taking over Probation,” said Supervisor Federal Glover. “As a life-long resident of Contra Costa, he has the insight and sensitivity to address our needs and issues, particularly in regards to keeping our communities safe and how our residents are impacted by the justice system.”
Billeci has been a member of Contra Costa’s Probation Department for 25 years, and has helped lead the Department through major changes in how probation, pre-trial supervision and parole services are delivered in California. County
Administrator David Twa praised Billeci for his exceptional service during his stint as Interim Chief following the retirement of former County Probation Officer Philip Kader at the end of March. “Todd will be a great addition to the
County’s leadership team,” Twa said. “He will further the innovative approaches and programs already a hallmark of the Contra Costa County Probation Department.”
Billeci was selected as one of 5 semi-finalists for the position from a national recruitment that resulted in 272 applicants.
The selection committee included the Honorable Presiding Judge Steven Austin, from the Superior Court, Contra Costa County, and the Honorable Supervising Juvenile Judge Thomas Maddock, from the Superior Court, Contra Costa County.
Billeci was appreciative of the opportunity to lead the Department that has been the mainstay of his public safety career.
“I’m pleased to be able to lead such a high quality team of professionals in Contra Costa County, whose role in keeping communities safe is often overlooked,” Billeci noted. “Probation staff plays a vital role in the network of public safety, and I look forward to continuing and enhancing our ability to provide the best community service possible.”
Many people are unaware of the wide impact of probation services. In Contra Costa County, the Probation Department supervises adults placed on Probation as well as individuals being released from prison and being placed on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS). In the juvenile justice system, the Probation Department operates the Juvenile Hall located in Martinez and Orin Allen Rehabilitation Facility located in Byron, supervises juveniles placed on probation, and provides a wide range of in home and support services aimed at keeping at-risk kids out of custody whenever possible.
Contra Costa County’s Probation Department has been honored for its innovative approaches and high degree of success. Last month, the Board of Supervisors recognized the Probation Department by designating the week of July 17– 23, 2016 as the official week to recognize the professional achievements of the probation, pretrial and parole supervisors.
Billeci will officially begin as Chief of Probation on August 10, 2016.
