Captain Board on Deputy Brian Nissen
Exchange Club/Jail Operations Deputy of the Year Deputy Brian Nissen
"Most of you probably already know our next recipient, Deputy Brian Nissen, who is currently one of our top Deputy Sheriffs working the Central Men’s Jail.
Brian attained celebrity status several years ago when he co-founded the California Youth Services Decisions Program. In 2006, the Orange County Business Journal nominated Brian for Entrepreneur of the Year.
The Decisions Program is a legal awareness program designed for juveniles and their parents to reach at-risk youth before they end up in the criminal justice system. Brian has helped to teach good decision making, accountability and the importance of responsibility to hundreds of at-risk children over the years and I am confident that most of these kids will avoid serious problems as young adults due in large part to Brian’s efforts.
I’d like to share just one more example of Brian’s talents: Several months ago, Assistant Sheriff Mike James asked the Division to look into costs associated with weapons qualifications. Due to Brian’s knowledge, expertise, and solid reputation for getting things done, the project quickly landed on his desk. I expected a response back in about 30 days, and to my surprise, within 3 days I received a complete and quite extensive research project with projected annual cost savings of about $10,000.
These are just two examples of the outstanding performance we see from Deputy Brian Nissen on a daily basis. And while these types of projects are pretty impressive, Brian is best know for his reputation as a leader and a mentor to younger deputies at the Central Jails. One of the primary reasons for the Division’s and Department’s success is because of outstanding individuals like Deputy Nissen."
Lieutenant Mark Long on Deputy Dave Martin
Deputy Dave Martin
"Deputy Dave Martin performs all his duties in a highly competent manner.
He is a leader among his peers in citations issued and he sets the bar as it relates to boat stops and being vigilant in improving boating safety in the Dana Point waters.
Recently he handled two noteworthy calls. In April, he was dispatched to an area in Dana Point Harbor where an informant had three subjects detained for possible theft. After interviewing the informant and interrogation of the suspects, Dave determined that they had boarded a sailboat and stolen fishing gear.
Dave booked the subjects at Orange County Jail for burglary and trespassing, returned the stolen property to the victim, and completed an outstanding report documenting the incident. The incident was recognized throughout the Harbor and was effective in curbing property crime in the Harbor.
In November, Dave and his partner were dispatched to the area off of Salt Creek Beach reference a dead body found by two recreational divers. Deputy Martin and his partner retrieved the body, taking care to preserve any possible evidence and transported the body to the Harbor Patrol docks where they assisted the Coroner’s office and Homicide with the investigation that was later ruled as a suicide.
For a collateral duty, Dave is responsible for the maintenance and inventory of the shotguns and dosimeters assigned to the Dana Point Station. Dave swapped out all of the old shotgun ammunition with an upgraded newer version provided by the Sheriff’s Armory. For the dosimeters, Dave keeps the batteries fresh and checks each unit for proper functionality. Deputy Martin assisted the Newport staff this year during the Fire Academy.
He taught blocks in the class related to vessel construction and foaming agents. He also oversaw the live burns to both vessels and static oil cans. This academy, along with one taught in San Diego, fulfills the training requirements for multiple Marine Safety Agencies throughout the state. His role in the classes is vital and recognized by his fellow training deputies, and his students.
Dave plans to be actively involved in future classes. Deputy Martin enjoys serving the public and routinely receives high praise. Some of the written comments include: 'I can't say enough good things about the officer that helped. He was such a nice guy and went out of his way to help us. He was very polite, courteous, and helpful. His demeanor and attitude should be used as an example for others to strive for'. 'Next time I am down there I'm going to bring him something nice for helping my family….he is a true American hero'. 'Deputy Martin's piloting skills were outstanding during the row-in and he was awesome docking us back to our slip'.
Deputy Martin has an extensive nautical background and it is evident in his work performance.
He easily performs his duties and assists his peers to do the same. Dave is a problem-solver and is quick to point out situations requiring attention. He also provides input on how to best solve the problem. Dave is also a licensed Captain in the operation of commercial vessels of less than 100 tons. He has natural leadership skills and is an outpsoken leader at the Dana Point Station. He is looked up to by all his peers and supervisors. Dave’s short term goal is to promote to Sergeant. His long term goal is to promote to Lieutenant and one day return to the bureau as Harbormaster.
Deputy Martin was honorably dischaged as a Navy Petty Officer, having served on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea where he supervised a crew on the flight deck.
In his off-duty times, Dave enjoys spending time with his children, as well as playing golf, and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle."
Lieutenant Tom Gallivan on Deputy Brown
North Operations selection for Patrol Deputy of the Year is Deputy Steve Brown
"North Patrol is made up of 65 Deputies.
Steve Brown was the unanimous choice by his seven supervisors. Being one of the senior deputies in North Patrol, with over 11 years experience, he still brings to work with him every day the enthusiasm, energy, and work ethic of what we would all want to see in the Deputy of the Year.
Steve began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 1990 and transferred to North Operations as a patrol deputy in 1998.
He is one of eight full time K-9 Deputies on the Sheriff’s Department. Being a K-9 Deputy requires constant and ongoing training with his K-9 partner Lycos. Being a K-9 handler is almost a round-the-clock job. In addition to the normal patrol responsibilities our canine teams are often called upon to respond to assist on alarm calls; burglary calls; building searches; article searches; suspect tracking; area and building searches for suspects; along with narcotics and officer safety assists.
Last year Steve and Lycos received a commendation from Investigations for their assistance during a narcotics investigation. Investigators targeted a residence in Santa Ana. The investigation led to a search warrant. Deputy Brown and his K-9 partner, Lycos responded to assist.
They conducted a search of the two story residence and four vehicles.
Lycos alerted to a safe in the garage, in addition to other locations in the residence.
Over a million dollars in narcotics proceeds were discovered in the safe and in other locations. In addition, Deputy Brown assisted the investigation by providing a secure escort of the currency to a secure location. Steve also participates in many civic functions and educational demonstrations throughout the year.
Steve has been a Handler for over seven years and is in charge of the unit’s weekly training regiment and it is no coincidence that the Sheriff’s Department’s Canine Team is now being recognized around the state for their performance and high standards of training. The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training recognized our team's abilities and has utilized them in the first of its kind P.O.S.T K-9 Unit Operations training video.
As I mentioned earlier Steve is a worker. He is constantly striving to provide assistance to his peers and looking at innovative ways to do the job safer and more efficiently.
He has taken it upon himself to work with Sheriff’s Systems staff to upgrade the Canine Unit’s deployment forms, computer systems – to include a designated electronic K-9 records storage area, and he is currently working on re-designing a department computer program for “real time” data retrieval.
Steve has worked tirelessly with the Sheriff’s Asset Procurement program to get military surplus night vision goggles for the K9 team (at no cost to the Department) as well as with the Sheriff’s Property Bureau to receive additional patrol rifles for the team.
In addition to his responsibilities as a Patrol Deputy and K-9 handler, Steve is also the most active North Operations Terrorist Liaison Officer (TLO).
He attends many hours of training in matters related to Homeland Security. At the conclusion of each training seminar, Steve brings back the information obtained and disseminates the material to North Patrol. He also prepares a weekly terrorism update relating to any and all suspicious activity.
Steve has initiated a project to computerize a photo database to include all schools in the North Operations area, government buildings, John Wayne Airport as well as the three Harbors in Orange County.
As a TLO, Steve was assigned as the TLO Liaison during the Presidential debates at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.
In his spare time Steve is an associate instructor at the Sheriff’s Basic Academy.
In his personal life Steve stays active as a volunteer at his children’s school and volunteers in their scouting program. Steve Brown has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and supervisors for his training and innovative ideas. He is truly deserving of the title, 'Deputy of the Year'."