Chief Probation Officer to step down next week

LOS ANGELES—Donald H. Blevins announced that he will step down as the 18th Chief Probation Officer of the Los Angeles County Probation Department effective October 21, 2011.

Blevins, 59, officially announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Thursday, citing “personal reasons.” In his letter, Blevins thanked the Board of Supervisors for “the opportunity to serve the citizens of Los Angeles County.”

The Department’s 2nd-in-command, Chief Deputy Probation Officer Calvin Remington will serve as acting Chief Probation Officer until further notice.

Blevins took over the Probation Department in April 2010 when it was facing several challenges and was confronted with audits by the United States Department of Justice requiring many lofty improvements in the juvenile detention facilities.

Blevins’ departure comes at time when the Department is participating in a statewide Public Safety Realignment/Post Release Community Supervision (AB 109) placing nearly 4,000 state parolees under the supervision of the Probation Department by the end of 2011.

On Friday, October 7, 2011, Chief Blevins announced his resignation to the Probation Department’s more than 6,200 employees in a department-wide email.

“My departure in no way diminishes the pride and respect that I have for the thousands of employees who make up the Los Angeles County Probation Department,” stated Blevins.

“It has been an honor to roll up my sleeves with you to work on servicing the critical needs of our clients and our community…This Department has hardworking and dedicated staff that makes a difference in the lives of those we serve every day.”