Santa Barbara County Probation

On April 13, 2026, David Ruiz joined the County of Santa Barbara Probation Department as Deputy Chief overseeing the Juvenile Division & Juvenile Facilities.

David brings 31 years of experience with the Fresno County Probation Department, where he served in a variety of leadership roles across both juvenile and adult services. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief at the Juvenile Justice Campus, overseeing detention, ranch camp commitment programs, and Secure Youth Track facilities.

On May 6, 2026, David was officially sworn in by Chief Probation Officer Holly Benton in Santa Maria.

Congratulations and welcome to the County of Santa Barbara Probation Department David!

Shout-out to the County of Santa Barbara Probation Department’s Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Staff of the Quarter!

We’re proud to recognize Juvenile Institution Officer Jorge Soto, honored last quarter, and Utility Worker Monica Cowger, our current JJC Staff of the Quarter. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence make a meaningful difference every day.
Thank you both for representing the JJC with professionalism and pride—keep up the outstanding work!

The County of Santa Barbara Probation Department was proud to join fellow law enforcement agencies at the 37th Annual Strawberry Festival in Santa Maria this past weekend!

Officers spend time walking the fairgrounds, engaging with the community, and helping ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone in attendance. We appreciate the opportunity to connect with the public and work alongside our partners to keep our community safe. Thank you to everyone who came out and made it such a great event!