Who is Dennis Carpenter?

Dennis Carpenter, a strong and proven leader with 36 years of impeccable and blemish free law enforcement experience, is seeking to apply his experience, education and dedication as the next Ventura County Sheriff in 2010.

Dennis Carpenter is endorsed by those who are best able to judge his hands-on and tested leadership and knowledge: current Sheriff Bob Brooks, the entire VCSD Executive Staff and the overwhelming majority of the VCSD Command Staff. Who better to know how a leader will react in the face of challenge and pressure than those who have served with him? Dennis Carpenter has successfully met challenge after challenge.

Carpenter proved himself every step of the way as he served as a patrol officer, as a resident deputy defending our Ventura County back country and our natural resources, as an Academy Tactical Officer/Instructor and spent years as a SWAT Sergeant. Dennis Carpenter has been a leader in each of the key Ventura County Sheriff’s Department units and seeks to apply this proven leadership for your safety and security.

Carpenter’s long list of leadership successes span four years as the Thousand Oaks chief of police (one of the nation’s safest cities four years running); creation and management of the countywide Narcotics Task Force; trusted with Internal Affairs Unit leadership; Commander in charge of Court Security; and most recently promoted to lead the entire Patrol Division including oversight of all VCSD patrol officers, five major Ventura County city contracts, the Sheriff’s Communication Center, and Office of Emergency Services.

Dennis Carpenter is the right man to be trusted as your next Ventura County Sheriff.

Key Leadership Positions:

• Current Chief Deputy – Patrol: Responsible for oversight of all VCSD patrol officers, five city contracts (Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai and Thousand Oaks) and Headquarters Patrol including investigative units, Sheriff’s Communication Center, and Office of Emergency Services.
• “Chief of Police” for Thousand Oaks for four years. Largest of five Sheriff Department contract cities and under Carpenter’s watch, Thousand Oaks continued to be one of the safest cities in the nation.
• Commander in charge of Court Security for the Superior Court of Ventura County.
• Captain responsible for Internal Affairs (Professional Standards Unit).
• Captain of Countywide Narcotics Task Force Unit (VCAT).
• Critical Incident Management: Incident Commander/Operations Chief (Alaska Airlines Flight 261, La Conchita Slides 1 and 2).
• SED Sergeant (Special Enforcement Detail): One of six original officers assigned to surveillance/gang coverage.
• SWAT Sergeant
• Academy Tactical Officer/Instructor

Law Enforcement Background:

• Proven Police/Patrol Officer (“Rookie of the Year”)
  
• Detention Services – Promoted to Watch Commander
• Administrative Sergeant – Moorpark
• Resident Deputy – Patrol Backcountry and National Forest Areas
• Crew Chief – Aviation Unit

Education:

• Masters Degree – Public Administration (California State University, Northridge)
• Bachelors Degree – Administration of Justice (California Lutheran University)
• Los Angeles County Sheriff SWAT School
• Certified Fire Arms Instructor
• CA POST Supervisory Leadership Institute
• CA POST Police Officer Standards and Training
• CA POST Narcotics Investigator School

Community Honor:

• 2008 Thousand Oaks/Westlake Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year

Ventura County Roots:

• Born in Oxnard and Raised in Port Hueneme
• Married to his high school sweetheart
• Lifelong Ventura County Resident
• Two Children and six Grandchildren

Community Activities:

• Community Commission for Ventura County (Inter-Agency Council to End Homelessness) – Board Member
• Elder, Camarillo Community Church Board
• Past President, Breakfast Rotary Club of Camarillo
• Current Member, Thousand Oaks Rotary Club
• Former Assistant Scout Master, Boy Scouts of America
• Conejo Valley District Chair for Boy Scouts of America
• Served on Ventura County Council Committees for Boy Scouts of America
• Assistant Team Manager – Girl’s Youth Softball
  
• Mission Trips to Mexico – Assist with security for international outreach program for schools, churches, orphanages, prisons.
• New America Singers – Assist in oversight of certain national and international travels.

Dennis Carpenter brings tried and true integrity, experience, education and leadership to Ventura County!  Elect Dennis Carpenter the next Ventura County Sheriff in 2010!!!