From left are, Sacramento Metro Fire Chief Adam A. House, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, Rancho Cordova Vice Mayor Linda Budge, retiring RCPD Chief of Police Matthew Tamayo and newly appointed RCPD Chief of Police Shaun Hampton at the February Rancho Cordova Luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper addressed community members, business owners and local officials during the Rancho Cordova Monthly Luncheon, speaking on public safety challenges, mental health diversion laws and human trafficking. The luncheon, hosted by the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, was held Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 2729 Prospect Drive.

Executive Director Shelly Blanchard introduced Cooper, highlighting his local roots and career in public service.

“It’s my honor to introduce a guy who has spent his entire career making sure the rest of us behave,” Blanchard said. “Sheriff Jim Cooper has dedicated decades to public service, public safety, and probably reminding a few of us to slow down on Highway 50.”

Blanchard noted that Cooper grew up in Rancho Cordova and graduated from Cordova High School.

“He’s a Lancer for life,” Blanchard said. “Before becoming sheriff of Sacramento County, he served in the California State Legislature in the Assembly, so not only does he know the law, but he also helped to write it. He oversees thousands of employees; he manages complex public safety challenges and still somehow manages to smile in every picture you ever see of him. That alone proves he is calm under pressure. Sheriff Cooper believes in community partnerships, transparency and accountability.”

Cooper told attendees that returning to speak in Rancho Cordova carried personal meaning.

“Glad to be here,” Cooper said. “For me Rancho Cordova is home. I love this place. Growing up here made me the person I am today. This is a community that thrives, and it says a lot about what Rancho Cordova is and what it stands for.”

From left are, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, newly appointed RCPD Chief of Police Shaun Hampton, Rancho Cordova Vice Mayor Linda Budge, Rancho Cordova Area Chamber Chair Rachel French, Cordova Community Council Executive Director Shelly Blanchard and retiring RCPD Chief of Police Matthew Tamayo at the February Rancho Cordova Luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Cooper focused much of his presentation on protecting children, calling it his primary passion.

“When you think about all the things that are important to you, and what’s your passion, my passion is children because every kid deserves a chance to grow up,” Cooper said. “At the sheriff’s office right now, we are fighting a lot of things when it comes to keeping our kids safe.”

Cooper spent much of his remarks discussing California’s expanded mental health diversion statute, which allows defendants diagnosed with qualifying mental health disorders to receive treatment in lieu of traditional prosecution. If they successfully complete treatment, charges may be dismissed and records expunged.

He said the program historically applied to limited groups, such as military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse. However, legislation now broadened eligibility to include most offenses except rape, murder and child molestation.

“What we’re seeing right now, is individuals abusing that mental health diversion,” Cooper said. “And it really impacts our children.”

Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper spoke on the importance of protecting our youth at the February Rancho Cordova Luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi

He described cases in Sacramento County in which defendants in severe child abuse cases were granted diversion and later had their records expunged.

In one case, he said, a father who fatally beat his 1-year-old child was granted diversion and later had his record expunged.

“We have tried to run multiple bills, I have testified a number of times to try to change the law,” Cooper said. “We’ve got to wonder, what is going on in our society? The laws are really favoring the perpetrator. We got away from what’s good for the victim.”

He also addressed human trafficking, calling Sacramento “one of the hubs in the U.S.” due to its location between Interstate 5 and Highway 99, major routes connecting Canada and Mexico.

Up until recently, he said, human trafficking of a child was not classified as a violent felony, affecting sentencing and early release eligibility.

The Sheriff’s Office has conducted operations that rescued approximately 30 girls, he said, with the youngest being 12 years old. However, he described the work as difficult and cyclical.

“Because of that influence on those girls they go back to the traffickers even after being rescued,” Cooper said. “So, it’s a revolving door.”

Proving trafficking cases can be complex and resource-intensive, particularly when exploitation is facilitated through social media platforms, he said.

“Parents are buying their kids phones and tablets, and they are all on social media, but the predators are also there,” Cooper said.

He cited national tip data related to child sexual exploitation, saying law enforcement received 34 million reports last year, 29 million of which originated from Meta platforms. He expressed concerns, however, that expanded encryption could limit law enforcement access to such information.

At the conclusion of the luncheon Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper took the time to speak to residents in attendance at the February Rancho Cordova Luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Cooper repeatedly returned to the role of parents and community involvement in prevention.

“If you are a parent, it’s a dictatorship not a democracy,” he said. “Talk to your kids, have their passwords, look at their social media. Verify.”

Cooper emphasized that exploitation affects families across socioeconomic lines.

“I don’t care where you live, where you are from, if you are rich or poor, your kid can be manipulated,” Cooper said.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, Rancho Cordova Vice Mayor Linda Budge presented Cooper with a ceremonial key to the city.

“We all appreciate his focus on children,” Budge said. “He is a wonderful example of what it means to grow up in Rancho Cordova.”

The next monthly luncheon will be held March 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall and will feature Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho. Information and tickets are available at cordovacouncil.org.