The Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse was created to assist and support county law enforcement. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, which aids the Sheriff’s Office leadership by providing critical resources that help safeguard our community and the men and women who protect us every day. This results in improved agency performance, morale and effectiveness.
The Posse helps fill the gap between the County's increasing public needs for law enforcement and the tightening county budget. It functions primarily as a fund-raising vehicle, with the emphasis on supplementing equipment and training for our County's primary law enforcement personnel to assist them in their efforts to safeguard our community.
The Posse also works to enhance relations between the community and County law enforcement, promote public safety through special events and activities, and serve as a citizen-initiated conduit for informing the community about public safety issues and the extraordinary efforts of the men and women of the Sheriff's Office.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse is to assist the Sheriff’s Department by providing resources that improve agency performance, morale and effectiveness in its effort to safeguard our community.
Guiding Principles
The Sheriff’s Posse, a nonprofit charitable organization, works with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department leadership to support county law enforcement by:
- enhancing relations between the community and county law enforcement;
- raising funds for exceptional equipment expenses;
- promoting public safety through special events, activities and programs;
- providing a civilian vehicle for informing the community about public safety issues.
P O S S E – People Offering Support to Sheriff’s Efforts
Officers
Chairman of the Board - Richard Kline
President - Sean Koffel
Vice Presidents - Jay Gerlach, Suzanne Kramer-Morton and Dana Mazzetti
Treasurer - David Baskett
Secretary - Alissa Massey
Directors
William Alton, MD, Santa Ynez
David Baskett, Orcutt
Richard Berti, Santa Barbara
Bob Bryant, Santa Barbara
Justin Fox, Carpinteria
Tom Gibbons, Santa Maria
Lynn Gildred, Santa Ynez
Chris Nielsen, Solvang
Steve Oaks, Solvang
Brandon Perdue, Lompoc
Sue Pohls, Buellton
Kate Powers, Santa Barbara
Gary Waer, Solvang
John Wilczak, Santa Ynez
The Board of Directors, all volunteers, are representatives of both North and South County and reside or have business in the County. Additional Directors may be added from time to time.