County of Monterey

After a strong showing in the June 2022 primary, when she came in first in a field of four candidates, Tina Nieto won election as Monterey County’s new sheriff in the November runoff, pulling in 65.7 percent of the vote over opponent Joe Moses, who had the support of outgoing sheriff Steve Bernal. She is the first woman, first person of color and first openly gay person to be elected to the office.

The former Marina police chief is a 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and serves on the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

Over the past three decades, Nieto has been called upon to use her law enforcement management skills to improve department morale, increase recruitment, implement fiscal discipline, lower crime and recidivism rates, develop community relationships, and work with the local legislature to ensure adequate funding for her departments.

Nieto also has served as president of Monterey County Chiefs Law Executive Association, a group of federal, state, and local law enforcement leaders, and as executive director of the Marina Police Activities League, which helps oversee a local youth crime prevention program.

Notable quotes: “I have over 33 years in public safety with more than 14 years as a successful law enforcement executive and over 13 years in supervisory and mid-level management roles. I have spent my entire adult life in positions of leadership.” (Source: Voices of Monterey Bay)

“I can promise you that we are going to work in partnership with our board of supervisors and our other county partners to make Monterey County, really, the gem of the state." (Source: KSBW)