Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 01/09/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND OTHER ELECTED SONOMA COUNTY
OFFICIALS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua, along with other Sonoma County elected officials, took the oath of office today at a public swearing in ceremony before the Board of Supervisors. After taking the oath, District Attorney Passalacqua said, “I am grateful to the Sonoma County community for placing their trust in me as Chief Law Enforcement Officer.” He also thanked all who helped him during his first four years in office.

District Attorney Passalacqua noted the great progress made during his first term in office: raising professional standards to ensure equal justice; professionalizing the office for greater efficiency; expanding victim services, including bilingual help; collecting millions of dollars to protect the environment and consumers; and substantially increasing conviction rates for domestic violence, child molestation and gang cases.

The District Attorney said that his upcoming goals include “strengthening crime prevention efforts, expanding resources to work with law enforcement agencies on cold hit cases, and continuing to collaborate with law enforcement and community based organizations to ensure that crime victims receive all necessary support.”

Other elected county officials taking the oath of office this morning were Sheriff Bill Cogbill, Supervisors Paul Kelley and Mike Kerns, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Rod Dole, and Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Janice Atkinson.

In addition, Donna Zapata and Augustine Orozco, on behalf of the Latino community, honored District Attorney Passalacqua during the ceremony by presenting him with a framed certificate for “Excellence in Leadership.”