Gavin Newsom faces a new challenge from the sheriff in his California stronghold

A sheriff speaks out against the governor

Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper isn’t holding back when it comes to Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s crime policies. He recently gave a candid interview where he made it clear that state leaders aren’t doing enough to keep communities safe.

The sheriff says victims are being forgotten while the system focuses too much on offenders. His words carry weight because he works in the governor’s own backyard, making this criticism particularly stinging for Newsom and his administration.

Sheriff gives Newsom a failing grade on crime

When asked to evaluate Newsom and the Legislature’s response to crime, Cooper answered, “Not enough. Not enough.” He said he was frustrated that policymakers appeared hesitant to take further action on public safety.

California lawmakers are currently on summer recess and are scheduled to return on Aug. 3, 2026. They have until Aug. 31 to pass bills before the legislative session ends. Cooper is urging lawmakers to address Proposition 36 funding, diversion policies, and penalties for serious offenses before that deadline.

Voters spoke loudly, but did leaders listen?

California voters approved Proposition 36 in 2024 with 68.4% of the vote, and the measure carried all 58 counties. It increased penalties for certain repeat theft and drug offenses and created a treatment-based option for some defendants charged with repeated drug possession.

Cooper said no statewide official supported the measure and argued that its broad voter support revealed a disconnect between residents and state leaders. He has cited reports of declining retail theft as an early, encouraging sign, although statewide crime trends cannot be attributed solely to Proposition 36.

Funding gap threatens new crime law

State leaders say the budget includes approximately $375 million for programs connected to Proposition 36 implementation. However, KCRA reported that $50 million is specifically designated for Proposition 36-related court and pretrial services. Cooper argues that counties need more dedicated funding for courts, treatment, and supervision.

Implementation data show significant challenges. California courts reported 19,104 treatment-mandated drug felony cases in 2025, but 2,853 defendants entered treatment and 57 had completed treatment by the end of the year. The Judicial Council cautioned that reporting from some counties was incomplete.

Cooper criticizes mental health diversion eligibility

California’s mental health diversion program allows qualifying defendants to receive treatment before trial. State law already excludes defendants charged with certain offenses, including murder and specified sex crimes, and courts must evaluate whether community treatment would create an unacceptable public-safety risk.

Cooper argues that eligibility remains too broad for some defendants accused of serious crimes, citing felony child abuse and offenses involving severe sexual violence. Newsom signed AB46 on June 29, 2026, giving judges greater discretion to deny diversion when a proposed treatment plan would pose a substantial and undue risk to another person’s physical safety.

Cooper calls for changes to domestic violence law

California does not automatically classify every felony domestic violence conviction as a “violent felony.” However, a felony in which great bodily injury is charged and proved can already qualify as violent under state law. Cooper argues that the existing distinction fails to reflect the seriousness of prolonged assaults and catastrophic injuries suffered by some victims.

Cooper said domestic violence affects people across income levels and neighborhoods. Asked why lawmakers had opposed proposals to classify more domestic violence offenses as violent felonies, he replied, “They have no argument. They just vote against it.”

Homicide rate drops, but problems remain

California’s homicide rate fell 18.6% in 2025, from 4.3 to 3.5 homicides per 100,000 residents. That was the lowest rate in the state’s recorded data.

Cooper argues that statewide improvements do not capture every community’s experience or eliminate the effects of individual crimes. California homicides increased 31% in 2020, when the rate rose from 4.2 to 5.5 per 100,000 residents.

The number of homicides then increased by another 7.2% in 2021 before declining in subsequent years.

Age over justice in California courts

Five suspects, 3 adults and 2 juveniles, were arrested on homicide charges following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Sacramento State student Arianna Hissom. Authorities said Hissom was riding in an Uber and was an unintended victim caught in crossfire.

Cooper cited the case while criticizing Proposition 57, youth-offender parole laws, and elderly-parole policies. He argues that these policies can place too much weight on an offender’s age and too little on the harm suffered by victims. The suspects have been charged, but the allegations against them have not been proven in court.

Release programs backfire in California

Steven Rodriguez, who was serving a 20-year sentence for attempting to murder 2 Stockton police officers, received compassionate release in November 2025. Authorities arrested him on May 7, 2026, after allegedly discovering a loaded short-barreled shotgun during a traffic stop. He faced new weapons allegations and parole-violation proceedings.

Cooper cited the arrest while arguing that California’s compassionate-release standards can create public-safety risks. Rodriguez has not been convicted of the new allegations, and one case cannot establish that every compassionate-release decision produces the same outcome.

Retail-theft diversion proposals draw opposition

Cooper has criticized proposals to expand diversion options for some defendants accused of retail theft. Successful completion of diversion can allow eligible defendants to avoid a conventional conviction, and Cooper argues that broader eligibility would weaken the tougher approach approved by voters through Proposition 36.

Highly publicized group thefts continue to influence California’s crime debate. However, statewide property crime fell 14.3% in 2025, while Proposition 36 increased penalties for certain defendants with previous theft convictions.

Fun fact: California’s homicide rate surged by 31% in 2020 during the pandemic, reaching 5.5 per 100,000 people, before beginning a steady decline.

Victims left behind by crime policies

“We’ve got to get back to the victims,” Cooper said. He argues that California’s criminal justice system places too much emphasis on rehabilitation, diversion, and early release while giving insufficient attention to victims and their families.

California’s Constitution already guarantees crime victims’ rights involving safety, notification, participation, restitution, and parole proceedings. Cooper’s criticism centers on whether current policies and legislative decisions adequately uphold those protections in practice.

Newsom’s team defends crime record

Newsom’s office rejected Cooper’s criticism and pointed to statewide crime reductions. California Department of Justice data show that the violent-crime rate fell 10.2%, the property-crime rate fell 14.3%, and the homicide rate reached a record low in 2025.

Newsom also signed AB46 on June 29, 2026. The law gives judges greater discretion to deny mental health diversion when a community treatment plan would create a substantial and undue risk to another person’s physical safety. The measure passed the Assembly 56-7, and the Senate 34-6, and Cooper supported it.

Want to see how Governor Newsom is handling another crisis shaking California? Check out why Gavin Newsom steps in as California tech layoffs surge.

California’s crime debate continues

California lawmakers are on summer recess until Aug. 3, 2026, and have until Aug. 31 to pass bills. Cooper is urging them to provide more dedicated funding for Proposition 36, strengthen penalties for serious and repeat domestic violence offenses, and reject broader diversion eligibility for some defendants.

His disagreement with Newsom reflects a wider debate over how California should balance punishment, rehabilitation, treatment, victims’ rights, and public safety as statewide crime rates decline.

Curious about the other controversy making headlines in Sacramento? Check out how Gavin Newsom faces ethics fine tied to LA wildfire charity.

What’s your take on the sheriff’s criticism of Governor Newsom? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to hit that like button.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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