Board ratifies appointment of Jamal Rowe as Sacramento County chief probation officer

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on June 10 ratified the appointment of Jamal Rowe as chief probation officer and approved the related compensation package as part of the consent calendar.

County Deputy Executive Eric Jones told the board that the Superior Court is the hiring authority for the county probation chief and that the court’s selection panel included a county representative; Jones said he served on the panel. Lee Seal, executive officer of the Superior Court, told the board the panel’s selection was unanimously approved by the full bench. "He is an expert in community corrections. He's deeply committed to the workforce and the staff," Seal said.

Rowe told the board he is a "proud product of South Sacramento," described his career path and family ties to the community, and said he is committed to rehabilitation and accountability. He reviewed his background in county probation beginning in 1998 as a probation assistant and said he later transferred in 2002 to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Jones told the board Rowe most recently served as CDCR assistant deputy director of adult parole operations.

Board members welcomed Rowe and highlighted expectations for collaboration across county safety and human services programs. Chair Serna invited the board and Rowe’s family for a photo on the dais following the ratification. Supervisors Rodriguez, Kennedy, Hume and Desmond each spoke in support of the new appointment, citing Rowe’s local roots and experience.

The ratification was adopted as part of the unanimous consent calendar vote (items 4 through 61). The motion to approve the consent calendar passed unanimously.

Clarifying details from the record: Rowe began work in Sacramento County Probation in 1998 as a probation assistant; he transferred to CDCR in 2002 and held roles including parole agent, investigator, and administrator; his most recent position was CDCR assistant deputy director of adult parole operations. The Superior Court formed the hiring panel and the appointment was endorsed by the presiding judges.

(Ending) Rowe will assume leadership of the Sacramento County Probation Department following the court’s hiring process and the board’s ratification. Board members urged collaboration with court partners, county justice agencies and countywide equity initiatives as he assumes the role.