Sacramento County Criminal Justice Employees' Union

01/01/2026

✨ Cheers to a New Year! ✨
May this year bring new opportunities, growth, and continued success. We are grateful for your trust and support and look forward to what we will all accomplish together.

12/27/2025

10/17/2025

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO MEMBERS:

October 17, 2025

Good Morning, SCCJEU Members,
For those of you who took the time and voted for your next union president, thank you. You are appreciated. The results are in, and Arla Graeff; CSO2 at the office of Child Support Services and current sitting vice president has been elected as your new union president beginning January 1, 2026. When you see her, please congratulate her.

It has been my profound pleasure to have been able to serve as your president going on 7+ years. I am very ecstatic by the Governor’s decision to sign SB8 this week, guaranteeing that Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers receive the benefits and coverage afforded by Labor Code 4850. Nay sayers said it could never be done, but through perseverance and relationship building, it will be law January 1, 2026.

I am very proud of our current contract (Which should be available in print very soon) and the fact that we got away from salary increases based on the consumer price index (CPI) and got fixed raises, coupled with the 457 match which equated to 12% guaranteed for 3 years for 02/04 and 16% for 4 years for 031 (not to mention a few extras). Meanwhile, the federal government is currently in a shutdown, tariffs are still being imposed, and the state has no money. All of these factors trickle down to the County and the County’s coffers, which has a direct impact on salary. However, your salary increases are locked and fixed! That’s two contracts in a row where it has been all increases with no take aways.

I am very proud of the development of the union board of directors over the last seven years. Board members have been diligent over the past several years to attend vital labor related trainings such as: Union Leadership, Political Action Committee, Union Treasurer Training, Internal Affairs, wellness, and labor negotiations. The board is also full, with every office represented, which was a challenge for Coroners for years. Now we have a very active coroner’s rep and outstanding treasurer. Your board is trained in how to deal with labor issues and make great educated representation for our members.

I am very proud that the union has come together as a unified body. When I started on the board in 2018/2019, the union was divided, and bickering was a common occurrence at the board meetings. Your union board currently works extremely well together, complement each other’s efforts, and work cohesively for the members’ benefits.
Your union board also has you protected by two outstanding law firms: Law Offices of Mastagni/Holstedt, and the Law Offices of Goyette, Ruano, and Thompson. Both firms attend every board meeting, including attorneys and labor reps. The board is well advised before critical decisions are made, and both firms work very well together. It truly is a blessing to have such fantastic advocates for the members.

I am very proud of the relationships built over the past several years that will continue to benefit the union. Relationships that truly “move the needle”, and always in our members’ best interest: Supervisors Rich Desmond, Phil Serna, Pat Hume, Rosario Rodriguez, and Patrick Kennedy; County Executives David Villanueva, Eric Jones, Sylvester Fadal, and David Defanti; State Legislators Angelique Ashby and Maggie Krell; Department heads and Chiefs: Thienvu Ho, Tiffany King, Steve Wharton, Leonard Orman, and Amanda Benson; and lastly the other unions and their leadership: Nathan Segers (DSA), Dave Becwar (LEMA), Greg Stuber (Probation), Dustin Smith (SACPOA), and Brian Marvel (PORAC).

We have made some great accomplishments, but there is always work to do, and a couple of loose ends need tying. Please know that your union board will not rest until these matters are closed.

• The Investigative Assistant Reclassification study is supposed to be made available in November 2025. (which potentially could affect all classes in that chain: process servers and criminal investigators)

• The Civil Service Hearing is set for November 14, 2025, for violation of promotion policy in coroner’s office.

• Other internal issues within each department.

I would like to thank you, the members, for allowing me to serve you. I would also like to thank each of you for the jobs that you do. Our members are all a part of the criminal justice system which inherently comes with a great deal of stress dealing with or advocating for victims. The stories, the scenes, the arrests, the processing, the reports can all take a toll on each of us. However, you all come to work each and every day to make a difference. Thank you all for your service. Be proud of the work you do. Stay safe. Take care of yourselves and each other.

I would like to thank the entire board of directors both past and present for their service and dedication to serving the members. It has been my honor to serve and lead with you. I especially would like to thank and recognize the true unsung hero of the union, our long-time office manager Linda Riley, for years of dedicated service, knowledge, and day-to-day smooth operations. We are forever grateful for our veteran labor representative Kim Gillingham for all that she has tirelessly done and continues to do for our organization and members. Her two decades of knowledge dealing with Sacramento County is unprecedented and extremely valuable to our members.

I’ve been involved in labor for two organizations for close to 15 years. It is a passion of mine, and it has been my honor to represent and advocate for our members as your servant leader. I would be remiss if I also didn’t thank my wife and family for tolerating my absences from dinners or family events because I was on the phone helping a member. Gratefully, they understand.

Thank you,
Yours in service,

Randy Bickel
[email protected]

SCCJEU Office: 916-858-2689
email: [email protected]
PORAC LDF: 800-255-5610 or 888-556-5631 (24/7)
www.PORAC.org/ldf-providers

10/14/2025

BIG VICTORY FOR SACRAMENTO COUNTY REGIONAL PARK RANGERS AND SCCJEU

Senate Bill 8 has been signed and enacted by Governor Newsom, October 13, 2025, enhancing Worker’s Compensation Benefits to the Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers by amending 4850 of the California Labor Code. SB8 bridges the gap and brings parity to the rangers, equalizing the benefit already awarded to fellow sworn police officers and deputy sheriffs in California. Huge victory for SCCJEU!

When I came from the San Mateo Police Department and started to work as a Park Ranger Supervisor in 2018, I was shocked to learn that Sacramento County Park Rangers were not protected by labor code 4850 as all other police officers, deputy sheriffs, and firefighters in the state. Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers were dealing with a heavily entrenched homeless population along the American River Parkway, which included many people committing crimes or had felony warrants for their arrest. The Park Rangers were making dozens of arrests weekly, and in some cases, the arrests became physical when a person(s) resisted arrest and tried to fight off being incarcerated. Several Rangers had been injured on the job while performing their duties yet did not receive the same benefit as other law enforcement groups, merely based on penal code classification that defines a ranger as law enforcement. I began to focus efforts to attempt to change the disparity and have park rangers recognized and protected.
In 2018, prior to my involvement with the union, park rangers attempted to get “penciled in” on a bill proposed by then Assemblyman Jim Cooper, and then again in 2019 (AB-664) which was an attempt to change some of the worker’s comp language for law enforcement personnel. Unfortunately, park rangers were not included in that bill.

In 2022, through Labor Negotiations, SCCJEU was successfully able to have section 9.8 c of the MOU amended to provide a “4850 Like benefit” for the members (including park rangers). Even though the language was signed into the MOU, there were concerns whether it would hold up if challenged, as it was not statutorily protected.

SCCJEU developed a relationship with State Senator Angelique Ashby, endorsed her candidacy for State Senate, and supported her campaign. In 2024, we worked with Senator Ashby and authored SB1058, which passed the Senate Committee on Labor (5-0), Passed the State Senate (37-0), then passed the Assembly Committee on Insurance (15-0), and lastly passed the Assembly Floor (70-0), and then back to Senate Consent and passed (37-0); only to have the Governor not sign the bill which had not received a single no vote and the bill died in September 2025.

Not to be deterred, SCCJEU worked with Senator Ashby again as well as Assemblywoman Maggie Krell as co-author, and submitted Senate Bill 8 in December of 2025, a mere two months after the previous bill died. Narrowing the scope of protections from county park rangers statewide, to solely focus on our own Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers. SB8 was introduced and the voting and bipartisan support looked very similar to the previous SB 1058 votes. SB8 passed the Senate committee of Labor (5-0), passed the Senate floor (39-0), passed the Assembly committee on Insurance (14-0), and the Assembly floor (75-0). Again, without a single no vote, SB8 was on the Governor’s desk, awaiting his signature. Yesterday, October 13, 2025, Governor Newsome signed SB8 into law, and is now statutorily protected, Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers are protected for work related injuries per 4850 of the California Labor Code.

SCCJEU successfully introduced two bills that never received a single no vote and now has successfully created California law protecting our Park Rangers and their families.

Huge victory for rangers and for the union.

09/29/2025

I was honored by Sacramento County Public Defender Amanda Benson Friday, and Received the 2025 Sacramento County Public Defender's Office: “Game Changer” award for Investigations. This award was nominated by my peers! I am humbled and truly honored. Thank you.

Sacramento County Office of the Public Defender
Sacramento County - Government

09/24/2025

The Sacramento County Probation Department’s Family Violence Unit is proud to collaborate with the Family Justice Center for the inaugural Domestic Violence Prevention and Support Resource Fair.

This important event is dedicated to:
• Raising awareness about domestic violence and its impact on our community
• Providing education to help individuals recognize signs of abuse and learn about prevention strategies
• Connecting families and individuals with supportive services and vital local resources

Who Should Attend?
Survivors, families, advocates, service providers, and anyone in the community interested in learning more about domestic violence prevention and support.

What to Expect:
✔️ Resource tables from local organizations
✔️ Educational materials and safety planning tools
✔️ Information on women empowerment, counseling, shelters, and more
✔️ Opportunities to speak with professionals and advocates

Together, we can build a safer, more informed, and more supportive community.

09/10/2025

To all members of SCCJEU and friends of SCCJEU, we have a member in need. Long time union member Jim McCoy, an investigator in the Public Defender's Office for the past 20+ years, is suffering a parent's worst nightmare.

Jim's son, 19-year old Ethan was involved in a freak accident at the beach in San Diego which severed his spinal cord. To make matters worse, Sutter Health is not covering a spinal specialist and the family really needs your help.

Every single dollar will help. No donation too small. Please please give to a fellow member who desperately needs our help.

Thank you. See below

Ethan is 19 years old and a second year Pre-Physical Therapy student at San Diego Stat… Gram Tsosie needs your support for Support Ethan's Journey to Recovery

09/01/2025

Have a wonderful day SCCJEU family! We will see you all on Wednesday for our monthly board meeting.

08/30/2025

Never forget Robert French, it is the anniversary of his end of watch

IN MEMORIAM: Robert French - End of Watch: August 30, 2017

On August 30, 2017, Deputy Robert French responded to a shots fired call at a North area hotel. After a gun battle inside of the hotel, the suspect continued to engage law enforcement officers in the hotel parking lot, as he made his exit. Deputy French took position in the hotel parking lot, using his vehicle for cover, he acquired the suspect and engaged him in gunfire. As the suspect attempted to flee, he began shooting at Deputy French. One of the suspect’s bullets passed through a portion of Deputy French’s patrol car and struck him. The bullet entered through the top of his shoulder, missing his body armor and passing through his heart, mortally wounding him. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy French remained vigilant. He emerged from behind cover and engaged the suspect, in an effort to stop the suspect from fleeing and causing more harm to the community. Deputy French exhibited extraordinary and conspicuous bravery in the line of duty in his attempt to stop an extremely dangerous, armed suspect. Despite life-saving measures taken by emergency personnel, Deputy French succumbed to his injuries.

08/30/2025

Lunch with County Executive David Villanueva and Gurleen Roberts from Health Services, kudos to Kim Nava for taking the picture.

This was lunch following an award ceremony where Gurleen and I had the winning tickets.

Great conversation, thank you David and Kim for hosting.

Sacramento County - Government