The POST Commission

Geoff Long served 33 years with the California Legislature, most recently as Policy Director for Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon. Geoff served as Chief Consultant to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for 20 years under seven chairs, where he also was responsible for all criminal justice legislation. Prior to Appropriations, Geoff served as Chief Consultant to the Assembly Budget Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, where he was also responsible for all criminal justice legislation and budgets.

On April 23, 2021, Rob Bonta was sworn in as the 34th Attorney General of the State of California, the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position.

In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People's Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. In elected office, he has taken on powerful interests and advanced systemic change — pursuing corporate accountability, standing up for workers, punishing big polluters, and fighting racial injustice. He has been a national leader in the fight to transform the criminal justice system, banning private prisons and detention facilities in California, as well as pushing to eliminate cash bail in the state. He has led statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians.

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Attorney General Bonta worked as a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, where he represented the City and County and its employees, and fought to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling.

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Attorney General Bonta immigrated to California with his family as an infant. He is the son of a proud native Filipino mother and a father who taught him the value of public service to his community. He is married to Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children Reina, Iliana, and Andres, as well as their dog Legolas.

Alan Barcelona leads the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, CSLEA, an organization that is the central thread in the public safety net of California. Mr. Barcelona took over CSLEA when it was on the brink of bankruptcy and turned it into a solvent, cohesive organization with a mission and purpose that have earned it the respect of governors and lawmakers in Sacramento. In addition to his duties as president of CSLEA, Mr. Barcelona is also a Special Agent for the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Prior to becoming a DOJ agent, he was a Senior Investigator for the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Mr. Barcelona started his law-enforcement career in 1981 as a Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff, where he served as a Jail, Patrol, and SWAT Team officer. He also has taught at two police academies, Modesto Junior College and Delta Junior College in Stockton, CA.

Mr. Barcelona received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of San Francisco, CA, and his M. Ed. from the University of La Verne, CA.

Sheriff Ingrid Braun has served as the Sheriff of Mono County since December 2014. She began her career in law enforcement in 1990 with the Los Angeles Police Department, retiring in 2011 at the rank of Lieutenant. Sheriff Braun has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Sheriff Braun is also a member of the State 9-1-1 Advisory Board.

P. Lamont Ewell has over 35 years in the public sector and possesses a unique blend of service. He began his career in Southern California as a firefighter and was ultimately appointed as Fire Chief for the City of Oakland. During the latter part of his tenure with the City of Oakland, he served as Acting City Manager. He went on to successfully serve as City Manager for the cities Durham, North Carolina, San Diego and Santa Monica. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an Executive Master degree in General Administration.

Chief Kelly Gordon began her law enforcement career with the Los Angeles Police Department in January 1996. In January 2017, she was hired by the Monterey Park Police Department as a Captain and in March 2020, she was named as the Chief of Police for the Monterey Park Police Department.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly University and a master’s degree in Leadership from Saint Mary’s College. She is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy and Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

Kelly is the sitting 1st Vice President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association, Treasurer of the San Gabriel Valley Chiefs Association, member of the California Police Chiefs Association Training Committee, and the California Police Chiefs Association representative on the League of Cities’ Housing, Community and Economic Development Policy Committee.

Rick Braziel was a member of the Sacramento Police Department for over 33 years including 5 years as Chief. He consults and instructs in Teambuilding, Communications Skills, Community Policing, and Leadership. Rick is an Executive Fellow at the Police Foundation. He was the lead investigator in the review of the police response to Christopher Dorner. He was part of a team reviewing the riots in Ferguson Missouri and the St. Louis County Police Collaborative Reform Initiative. Rick also completed a review of the Stockton Police response to the Bank of the West robbery and hostage taking. Rick is co-author of the book, Cop Talk: Essential Communication Skills for Community Policing . 

In January 2023, Sheriff Tina M. Nieto was elected as the Sheriff of Monterey County. She served as the Chief of Police of the City of Marina from 2017 to 2022. She began her career in law enforcement in 1989 with the Los Angeles Police Department, retiring in 2017 as a Commanding Officer. Chief Nieto served with the United States Army Reserve attaining the rank of Captain.

She is the current President of the Monterey County Chief Law Enforcement Association, and serves on Monterey County’s Restorative Justice Commission, Emergency Medical Care Committee, EMS Medical Advisory Committee, and the Medical Operations Subcommittee.

Chief Nieto received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton and her master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne.

James O'Rourke began his career with the California Highway Patrol in 1998 and promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2007. He has had multiple assignments to include patrol, bicycle patrol, investigations, and sixteen years of SWAT experience. He has eight years of experience instructing Active Shooter tactical training for law enforcement as well as Active Shooter response training for civilians. He has served on the board of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen since 2017 and is the current Supervisory Director.

Michelle Rodriguez built her career working in local public schools and health care while raising her family, leading the local Girl Scout Troop, and serving as Athletic Director for local sports leagues. After graduating from Northwest College with a Medical Assistant Certification, Michelle worked for Inter Valley Health Plan, a not-for-profit Medicare Advantage Organization, and ProMed Healthcare Administrators administering managed care services. She earned a Certificate in Campus Security Officer from Pomona Unified School District, and worked as a security professional for Chaffey Unified School District and Bonita Unified School District. Michelle also worked with the young mothers’ program at Valley View High School. Michelle served as Athletic Director for the Junior All-American Football League Team, the Pomona Steelers.

Michelle and her husband – Assemblymember and former EMT Freddie Rodriguez – live in Pomona, CA.

In June 2022, Sheriff Jim Cooper was elected to become Sacramento County’s 37th Sheriff. Before being elected as Sheriff, in November 2014, Sheriff Cooper was elected to the California State Assembly to represent Assembly District 9, which includes the cities of Sacramento, Elk Gove, Galt, and Lodi. On his first day in office, Sheriff Cooper was appointed to serve on a leadership team as Assistant Majority Whip and later appointed Assistant Majority Leader. 
Sheriff Cooper served as Chair of the Public Employees Retirement and Social Security Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Community Law Enforcement Relations and Responsibilities. Sheriff Cooper also served on several committees, Governmental Organization Committee, Insurance Committee, and Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration. While in the Assembly, Sheriff Cooper was appointed as the California Peace Office Memorial Legislative liaison.
During Sheriff Cooper’s tenure in the Assembly, he was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly to serve on the California Crime Victims’ Memorial Review Committee. The Committee oversees the design, construction, and maintenance of a memorial in Capitol Park to honor California residents who are victims of crime. Additionally, Sheriff Cooper was appointed to serve on the Public Safety committee of the Council of State Government (CSG-WEST). 
Sheriff Cooper has an extensive background in law enforcement and local government.
Before joining the Assembly in 2014, Sheriff Cooper served as a Captain in the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for 30 years and spent 15 years as Elk Grove’s founding mayor and councilmember. He established solid governing values, balanced the city’s budget, and built a city from the ground up.
Sheriff Cooper has earned numerous awards, including the Bronze Star for Bravery for actions during the 1991 “Good Guys” hostage crisis. He also spent four years working as the Department’s spokesperson and nearly a decade as an undercover narcotics officer and gang detective.
Community service is a significant part of Sheriff Cooper’s life. He has served on the Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wind Youth Services, and the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home boards.
Sheriff Cooper grew up in Sacramento and where he raised his four daughters. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Academy and FBI National Academy. He earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College.

Eric Schmidt is a sworn peace officer with 23 years of law enforcement experience. In addition, over the past 18 years, he has been an instructor at the Fresno City College Police Academy. Eric has also completed the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC). His areas of expertise are: report writing, impact weapons, crowd control, weapon laws and evaluating cadet scenarios. For 19 years, Eric has been a member of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Team. Additionally, Eric was also a property crimes detective and he patrolled various waterways in the area while serving on the boating unit for two years.

Eric is a lifelong resident of Fresno County and graduate of California State University, Fresno. He was recently re-elected to serve his fifth term as President of the Fresno Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Eric is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).