In Utah, Cardall worked his way up to director of inmate
placement, and even ran for sheriff of Salt Lake County.
HOLLISTER
It’s not uncommon for retired folk to seek warmer climates.
It’s why Brent Cardall moved from Salt Lake City to San Benito County last week. But don’t be fooled. The county’s new chief probation officer is only 44 years old.
“I just started at a young age,” Cardall said. “I really look at this as my second job.”
Cardall answers the phone the way a man who’s spent more than half his life in law enforcement would be expected to – with his last name.
At 21, Cardall began working in the Utah Department of Corrections. After two decades, employees can retire.
In Utah, Cardall worked his way up to director of inmate placement, and even ran for sheriff of Salt Lake County. He lost to the incumbent sheriff in the primary, but has no regrets.
“I was proud of that,” Cardall said, who added it was his last and only foray into politics. “It was a great experience.”
Youth and energy are two qualities Cardall believes he brings to the department – and he plans to be there for at least a decade.
Cardall will focus on holding offenders accountable while getting them to change their thinking, he said.
He also plans to pack a firearm, which San Benito County Undersheriff Pat Turturici said is a good thing.
“If that’s the case that’s an advantage for us because that’s another agency we could use for sweeps,” Turturici said of Cardall.
Turturici added it’s good the department has someone who’s energetic and has some new ideas.
One of those ideas includes disallowing probationers to check in at the department while wearing gang colors, as Cardall said he has seen in less than a week on the job.
“That will stop,” he said.
Cardall was selected as the permanent replacement for former San Benito County Chief Probation Officer Deborah Botts.
Botts and the county severed their relationship after she was placed on paid administrative leave in October 2006 for about three months.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho participated in the hiring of Cardall, and said he hopes the new chief probation officer will help the department get passed some of its previous turmoil.
“I’m confident our new probation officer will be able to do that and increase the morale of the department,” Botelho said.
And although Cardall has enjoyed the weather and natural beauty of San Benito County, he may not be able to fully appreciate it until he sees his two girls, Cailyn, 9, and Brynlee, 5, take their first snow-free bike ride.
The girls and Cardall’s wife, Camille, are still in Salt Lake City.
Cardall hopes to have them moved out to the Hollister at the beginning of March.
