Ada County Sheriff's Office

Our Misdemeanor Probation team plays a vital role in supporting the individuals they supervise by helping them stay accountable while completing their court-ordered sentences. The team currently consists of one manager, one supervisor, thirteen officers, and five administrative staff. Keri Anderson manages the entire Misdemeanor Probation team. Mackenzie Williamson is the Misdemeanor Probation Supervisor, responsible for managing the officers, coordinating trainings, and carrying a small caseload. Our administrative staff create client files, schedule appointments, and act as liaisons between clients and probation officers between visits. All probation officers must attend the four-week Idaho POST Misdemeanor Probation Academy in August to become certified. Some officers also pursue firearms certification to join the Field Visit team. After academy graduation, officers work with a training officer for eight weeks to ensure they are well prepared for their duties. On average, officers visit between 6-12 probationers each day. They work with every individual to ensure compliance with court-ordered requirements while also offering rehabilitation opportunities. One recent probationer shared this about her PO: “…was a huge support in helping me get my life back on track. No one wants to be on probation, but having someone who wants you to succeed and help when you need it is always a positive impact.” Thank you to the entire Ada County Misdemeanor Probation team for your hard work and positive impact on the participants you serve!

This week we’re spotlighting Chief Deputy Dusseau and Chief Deputy Hessing — two leaders who help guide internal operations at the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. The addition of a second Chief Deputy is new for our agency this year and strengthens support for our more than 880 employees. Chief Deputy Dusseau oversees the Emergency Communications Bureau and Police Services Bureau. Chief Deputy Hessing oversees the Administrative Services Bureau, Court Services Bureau, and Jail Services Bureau. Chief Deputy Dusseau, a 28-year ACSO veteran and graduate of both the School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy, manages emergency operations, personnel matters, major infrastructure projects, and supervises the PIO team and Internal Affairs. Chief Deputy Zach Hessing brings nearly 17 years of law enforcement experience and stepped into the role in September after serving four years as Chief of Star Police. He’s spending his first months touring facilities, meeting staff, and learning the operations he now oversees. We’re thankful for the leadership, energy, and experience both Chief Deputies bring to our agency!

On Monday, Sheriff Matt Clifford swore in new leaders from across the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. Zach Hessing has been promoted to Chief Deputy. Chris Saunders is the new Director of the Administrative Services Bureau. Tim Haynes has been promoted to Lieutenant and will serve as the new Star Police Chief. Several deputies also advanced to the rank of Sergeant: Casey Bryant, assigned to Star Police; Zach Ellington, who will serve in the Ada County Jail; Bryan Kindelberger, assigned to unincorporated patrol; Marlon McCowan, who will serve in the Ada County Jail; and Ashley Porter, assigned to the Community Transition Center. In Court Services, Dianna Brathwaite has been promoted to Alternative Sentencing Supervisor, and Mackenzie Williamson has been promoted to Misdemeanor Probation Supervisor. We would like to extend a huge congratulations to each of these individuals — they have all demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership in their service to Ada County and the ACSO, and we’re proud to celebrate this next step in their careers!

💙 Join Our Team as ACSO’s First Wellness Coordinator Are you passionate about supporting the health and wellness of others? Do you have experience creating employee wellness programs? If so, we want to meet you! We're looking for our very first Wellness Coordinator to join our team. This person will be responsible for building, managing, and growing a comprehensive wellness program that supports the well-being of our employees and their families. In this role you will: - Build the wellness program from the ground up - Manage our wellness app and peer support team - Coordinate health screenings and resources - Collaborate with internal and external partners to enhance employee care If you’re ready to design innovative wellness initiatives and make a lasting impact on those who serve our community, apply today. #NowHiring #ACSO #WellnessCoordinator #EmployeeWellness #PublicSafety #Leadership #JoinOurTeam #Wellness

This week, we’re highlighting one of our hardest-working teams behind the scenes — our Pretrial Services Unit. This dedicated group plays a vital role in our criminal justice system, balancing accountability with opportunity. Their work focuses on two primary responsibilities: supervising defendants during their pretrial phase (as ordered by a judge) and providing risk assessments for every individual who appears before the court on a criminal charge. These assessments help judges make informed decisions by evaluating the likelihood of someone reoffending or failing to appear in court. When a judge orders pretrial supervision, defendants must follow the 4th District Court’s Pretrial Release Order, which includes not committing new crimes, reporting to their assigned case manager, attending court hearings, and remaining drug- and alcohol-free. These conditions, along with requirements such as drug or alcohol monitoring or GPS tracking, depend on the nature of the offense — which can range from misdemeanors such as a DUI to serious felonies such as aggravated assault or stalking. As of today, we currently have 616 defendants enrolled in pretrial supervision. The Pretrial team is constantly preparing for the unexpected. They complete specialized training in verbal de-escalation, motivational interviewing, and scenario-based exercises to ensure they’re ready for any situation. Each case manager oversees between 80 and 100 defendants, meeting as often as once a week and guiding them through an average of five months on supervision. Their biggest goal? Setting clients up for success. Pretrial case managers take time to identify barriers each person may face and connect them with community resources — everything from bus passes and treatment referrals to hygiene kits, job resources, and mental health support. Recognizing that not everyone can afford pretrial fees (which can reach $400 a month), the team now also screens for indigency to help determine eligibility for fee waivers. This change ensures financial hardship doesn’t stand in the way of compliance or progress. Pretrial supervision gives individuals the chance to remain in the community while awaiting court proceedings — to keep working, attending school, maintaining healthcare, and staying connected with their families — all while being accountable to the court. This compassionate, hard-working team doesn’t just enforce rules — they provide a bridge between accountability and hope, helping individuals make positive strides forward while keeping our community safe.

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on a team of detectives tasked with investigating cases involving some of our community’s most vulnerable members — the Special Victims Unit. This team of three is responsible for investigating crimes against children (including physical abuse, neglect, online exploitation, and sexual offenses), adult sexual offenses, and elder abuse. These cases require a unique balance mix empathy, tenacity, and mental and emotional resiliency. The work is both mentally and emotionally taxing – but rewarding. To sum up their “why” for taking on some of the most difficult cases day in and day out: it’s for the kids. They don’t get a say, and no one else can step in for them. These detectives have families of their own — and it hits close to home. In the last five years, reports of online child exploitation have doubled. The team has also seen a concerning increase involving very young victims, often under the age of five. “It’s not just a photo, it’s not just a video,” said Detective Shannon Garza. “There’s a real victim behind it.” Self-care and mental health are critical parts of maintaining wellness in this role. The team attend regular counseling sessions, and prioritize off-duty activities including yoga, homesteading, time with family, duck hunting, exercise, etc. They also seek out continuous training, particularly related to online crimes against children, to stay current on investigative trends and techniques. In addition to their investigations, they teach classes through our ACSO academies and share their expertise with new deputies. What do these detectives want parents to know? Talk to your kids about the difference between secrets and surprises. Use anatomically correct terms for private parts of the body. And stay involved — know what your child is doing online, on their phone, and on social media. Thank you, SVU detectives, for working endlessly to keep our kids safe. Are you a parent or guardian who wants to learn more about keeping kids safe in the digital age? We know these are difficult topics — and because of community guidelines, it can be challenging to share detailed safety information here. If there’s interest, our team would be happy to explore hosting an in-person information session focused on prevention, awareness, and online safety for families. Protecting kids starts with all of us.

Last week we celebrated Sergeant Darryl Meacham as he wrapped up nearly 30 years with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. In classic fashion, his retirement date just happens to line up perfectly with hunting season—just like when he postponed his original start date back in 1996 so he could head out on a hunt first. Over the years, Darryl has served in the jail, on patrol, as a detective, PTO, and sergeant. He became known for turning routine calls into major arrests, for mentoring others, and for always finding a way to make work a little more memorable. When he looked back on his career, he didn’t talk about cases or awards—he talked about the people who stood beside him and the friendships that carried him through. From ice fishing trips to countless adventures outdoors, Darryl has left a mark on our agency that will be remembered long after today. Through it all, his wife Tonya and family have been by his side, supporting him through years of shift work. Congratulations on your retirement, Sgt. Meacham. We’ll miss you, but we know where to find you—somewhere out in the mountains.

We said farewell (and happy retirement!) this week to Administrative Services Bureau Director Kelli Bolicek, whose career has been woven into the fabric of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office for more than three decades. Kelli began her career at The Walt Disney Company before moving to Boise. In 1989, she spotted a full-page ad for an opening in the ACSO finance department and met with then-Sheriff Vaughn Killeen — who quickly recognized the value she would bring. That moment launched a 29-year career dedicated to serving Ada County, where she rose through the ranks to lead our Administrative Services Bureau. At her retirement ceremony, former sheriffs Vaughn Killeen and Gary Raney, along with current Sheriff Matt Clifford, shared words of gratitude for her lasting impact on the ACSO. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, who worked closely with Kelli during his time with the Clerk’s Office, also honored her contributions. We wish Kelli all the best in her next chapter and thank her for the countless ways she has strengthened our agency and community.

Over the past 19 weeks, our academy trainees have dedicated themselves to intensive training in emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms instruction, and a wide range of classroom subjects—all designed to prepare them for successful careers in public safety. Now, they’ll move into the next phase of their journey: field training. Following graduation, Deputies Agahzadeh, Ivie, Johnson, McRoberts, Omerovic, Rosales, Satterfield, Scholtes, and Smith will begin their service at the Ada County Jail. Deputies Biebuyck, Lynard, and Wilson will join Ada County Patrol, and Deputy Wills will serve at the Community Transition Center. Officers Albers, Sczudlo, and Wachholder will be starting their careers with the Caldwell Police Department. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Congratulations to Misdemeanor Probation Officer Cherish Armstrong on completing the Idaho POST Misdemeanor Probation Academy last week! The four-week academy covered a wide range of material, including tactics, classifications, drug trends, court procedures, documentation, and more. Cherish began her career with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in 2021 as a Misdemeanor Probation Records Technician and later transitioned to Pretrial Services as a Case Manager before stepping into her current role. Her team was there to celebrate with her at graduation, showing their support as she reached this milestone. Today, ACSO misdemeanor probation officers supervise approximately 1,429 probationers. The conditions of probation depend on each individual and may include treatment programs, classes, community service, counseling, or drug testing.