Silicon Valley Local Magazine - Issue 2

WINTER 2012

silicon valleylocal Your Silicon Valley Connection

Leading By Example For A Better Silicon Valley Is Sheriff Laurie Smith

Meet Laurie Smith, Sheriff

I

knew that this afternoon’s conversation would be different, unique and special – like the person I was going to see. It once became legendary years ago, when the President of the United States had on his desk: “The Buck Stops Here”. What I was about to see was a very big building, the size of a square block. What catches your eye is that her name, and her name alone, is emblazoned on this building and also on the entrance door. It tells you up front that the buck stops here, with her name on it.

I had met and had gotten to know the Sheriff when she was an assistant sheriff and contemplating back then running in the upcoming election for Sheriff. I was impressed with her sense of professionalism and caring for com-

munity back then and was hoping that she not only would run, but that she would also win. I believed she would make a great Sheriff.

That was fourteen years ago. What will it be like to hear her now, after all these years, remembering that wonderful spirit of hers and the positive aspirations she had back then.

The interview with Laurie was exceptional. Her knowledge is exceptional. Laurie Smith has been serving with outstanding distinction in Law Enforcement for over 38 years. It was not the norm back then, a woman in this employment, so how is it she went this route? She and her older brother were close in age and close friends, too. Her brother wanted to be a police officer and so, then, so did she. For him, it was simple, a straight course to becom-

ing a Police Officer. For Laurie, back in those days, it was anything but simple, or a straight course. How she got to be where she is, is truly a remarkable journey – both as a pioneer and a pathfinder.

In the early 1970’s, Laurie attended San Jose City College and, at the same time, also worked in the Sheriff’s Office. She received her undergraduate degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from San Jose State University and a Master’s Degree in Management from Cal Poly in Pomona, which she said has proven to be very helpful over the years. Laurie, at a later date, also participated in the special American Leadership Program of San Jose and is a proud alumnus. The list of graduates over the years reads like a Who’s Who and consists of many of our storied Silicon Valley community leaders.

Laurie began her career in the 1970’s, a time when things were quite different. Women could not work in patrol cars, they could not work in the field and they could not even take the test (for Deputy Sheriff, because it was closed to women). The men became Deputy Sheriffs, while the women became Deputy Sheriff Matrons. There was the Police Woman’s Manual from 1961: women went to the same academy, made 15% less, wore skirts (no slacks) and their gun would be in a pouch purse (not visible on a belt, as it was with men).

It was in

1975, as the result of a Federal Court lawsuit settlement, when women were finally able to be full Deputy Sheriffs and with equal pay.

Laurie wanted to make it known how grateful she is – that she is a Sheriff because of the women before her. One woman, in particular, who inspired Laurie, is Pat Ruch. “It is because of her, and people like her, I am who and where I am today. They had the courage, the guts, to challenge the system, when there was such risk in doing so. They insisted that they were equal and should be treated as such, and risked their careers, politically, internally, insults behind their back and also to their face.

I am a product of the strong women before me. They deserve all the credit,” Laurie was saying. Their efforts clearly paved the way for her and many others who would follow, and that today; it is based on abilities rather than gender.

What impressed me talking with Laurie was that for the entire time we talked, she talked about how very proud she is of everyone, all her people, as if she were talking about her Family. It was never about “I’, it was always

“We”. I asked Laurie: how’s the morale? “How a person feels about the work that they do is critical. We are continually working to improve morale - our staff is our most valued asset. I am very proud of what we all do”.

The Sheriff oversees the County of Santa Clara - The Office of the Sheriff, which maintains some 1,500 employees and an annual operating budget of $300 million. In addition, they also police a number of cities and towns and provide a model Police Academy and Cadet Program. In a world where there seems to be little loyalty or sense of job security, here the employees have not been laid off and everyone tends not to move, for there is a sense of belonging, a sense of Family. In fact, there has been a rise in the numbers, they recently received more than 1,000 applications for their Police Academy and they are hiring.

“Most important is we are doing the job, to serve and protect. Our people are very well trained - essential to maintaining the sense and assurance that we are safe.” In a recent restructuring, the Sheriff is now involved in the management of the Department of Corrections, consisting of our jails, at-risk Criminal Justice facilities and programs. In consolidating these two vast departments, it has meant a savings of eight million dollars to the county.

In addition, there are many special teams in place, as well, Emergency Preparedness programs, a Swat Team, local physicians that volunteer in cases of immediate emergencies (they were even called upon and provided invaluable anti-terrorist and emergency trainings for the Chinese Government and the Olympic Games most-recently in China). There are times when the Sheriff’s office handles major events, as most recently with the Quarry near Cupertino. It was thanks in large part to their excellent cooperative team effort, that it could have been a lot worse than it was.

We are fortunate that the Sheriff even ran for such office in the first place. A survey had been taken at the time she was considering running: “In your opinion, can a woman be

Laurie began her career in the 1970’s, a time when things were quite different.

Women could not work in patrol cars, they could not work in the field and they could not even take the test (for Deputy Sheriff).

Sheriff?” – There hadn’t been a woman Sheriff before, so a great number had responded: “NO”. The Sheriff knew that this would be an obstacle. These were the 1990’s and people were doubtful. Laurie knew she would have to prove herself. Believing she had a chance, Laurie ran, basing her campaign on her 25

years of excellent experience. Laurie did go on to win and became the first elected woman Sheriff in California.

Laurie has since won three re-elections. The first two were unopposed. In the third re-election, last year, there were two opponents. Laurie won in the primary with a resounding 60% of the vote. She said she was glad that there was opposition, because it gave her the opportunity to garner input and talk with the public about their amazing accomplishments and their direction for the future. She was able to hear firsthand public concerns and what their expectations were of the sheriff’s office for the future.

I asked Laurie what she would want her Legacy here to be. Well, it is still way too early to think of a legacy. Laurie has three years left in this term alone and has plans to run again for re-election - that’s at least seven more years. “I feel it’s not about me and a legacy”, she asserted. “I want the legacy to be the recognition for our excellence. It’s the people we have here who serve; it’s the people who we have and what they are doing, that’s for sure.”

After all these years, and all that the job entails, I wondered and asked: how did she feel? I am happy to say, her answer was like a walk-off home run, it was wonderful to hear.

It was indeed the consistently upbeat Laurie I have always known – that she is as energetic and passionate about her work as ever. This is where she said she was so grateful from this last campaign. “What I was really proud of”, she said, “was the support I got, the validation that we are doing a great job and that the sheriff’s office is respected and trusted. The support and the confidence – it was big and really rewarding. I feel as good and am as excited, energized, about what we are doing as ever”.

I want to thank Laurie Smith for taking the time to sit down with me. She certainly has been and continues to be a great influence and positive role model in and for our community. Ultimately, it’s all about service and excellence - with Laurie Smith as Sheriff, Silicon Valley is a great place to live! stories@svlocalmag.com

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