JOHN J. SWAFFORD

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY | 01/2022 – Present
McNamara, Ambacher, Wheeler, Hirsig & Gray LLP – Pleasant Hill, CA.

• Prepare and manage government entity use of force and general liability claims
• Propounded and answered discovery for plaintiff’s unreasonable use of force claims against peace officers
• Prepare peace officer defendants for deposition
• Draft briefs, motions, and various legal memoranda
• Identify and prepare expert witnesses

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY | 04/2021 – 10/2021
Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP – San Francisco, CA.

• Prepare and manage government entity use of force and general liability claims
• Propounded and answered discovery for plaintiff’s unreasonable use of force claims against peace officers
• Prepare peace officer defendants for deposition
• Drafted briefs, motions, and various legal memoranda
• Drafted legal update briefs for the United States Police Canine Association
• Identify and prepare expert witnesses

SHERIFF LIEUTENANT| 10/2019 to 04/2021 (Retired)
Solano County Sheriff’s Office – Fairfield, CA

• Manage the Sheriff’s Office Compliance and Professional Standards Bureau
• Oversee bureau budget and expenditure’s
• Authenticate and update agency policy and procedures
• Function as Custodian of Records for agency Pitchess Motions
• Ensure compliance with CA Public Records Act
• Conduct oversight/review committees (Pursuit and Use of Force review)
• Ensure agency training in compliance with Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
• Oversee Internal Affairs investigations
• Manage applicant background investigations
• Manage annual Concealed Carry Coordinators conference

DEPUTY SHERIFF – SERGEANT | 04/2016 to 10/2019
Solano County Sheriff’s Office – Fairfield, CA

• Oversee patrol matters and operations
• Field Training Program, Background Investigation and Concealed Carry Weapons Supervisor
• Mentor and train subordinates in legal and tactical skills.
• Maintain the safety of both department personnel and the public ensuring the mission is in accordance with the United States Constitution and case law.
• Investigated incidents and crimes, including evidence collection and witness statements.
• Monitored crowded public areas and events to mitigate risk and promote safety.
• Provided public safety assistance at community events to maintain safe and secure environments.
• Researched and analyzed crime statistics to maintain awareness and knowledge.
• Organized and author operational orders indicating the operational goals, mission, targets, locations, and contingencies.
• Maintained accurate and detailed logs of all events that occurred during each shift.
• Assume leadership role during critical incidents to preserve the safety of all involved parties and adherence to legal principles.
• Responded to calls in both routine and emergency situations.
• Delivered accurate verbal and written reports to company personnel.
• Review and authorize both criminal and non-criminal reports and search warrants.
• Compliance supervisor and policy drafting

DEPUTY SHERIFF | 09/2002 to 04/2016
Solano County Sheriff’s Office – Fairfield, CA

• Filed Training Officer – train, mentor and lead new peace officers
• K9 deputy – use a K9 for narcotic detection, suspect apprehension, article detection and handler protection.
• Drafted reports detailing incidents and safety violations.
• Provided public safety assistance at community events to maintain safe and secure environments.
• Monitored crowded public areas and events to mitigate risk and promote safety.
• Noted and followed up on any unusual behavior.
• Responded to calls in both routine and emergency situations.
• Prevented crimes through careful observation and investigation of suspicious and unusual behavior.

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER | 09/1999 to 09/2002
Solano County Sheriff’s Office – Fairfield, CA

• Jail Training Officer – train and mentor new correctional officers
• Made rounds at specified intervals and conducted head counts and roll calls.
• Completed intake paperwork, fingerprints, and searches.
• Escorted inmates to and from cells, court, hospitals, and medical appointments.
• Searched the building and grounds, living quarters and work areas for contraband.
• Responded to inquiries from the public, other staff, inmates, and visitors.
• Made sure holding areas were cleaned and that inmates were served meals on time.
• Booked new inmates into facility and processed inmates for release.
• Conducted routine and emergency head counts.
• Physically restrained juveniles when disturbances required physical intervention.
• Issued cleaning supplies, comfort items, laundry, and all basic meals.
• Prepared, processed, and maintained forms, reports, logs, records, and activity journals.
• Built solid relationships with staff and residents to help keep the institution safe and secure.
• Established healthy relationships and maintained professional boundaries with resident offenders in the institution.
• Tracked inmates through head counts, visitor logs and scheduled activities.

STAFF SERGEANT | 10/1989 to 01/1997
United States Marine Corps Reserves – Concord, CA

• Managed and commanded forty-eight enlisted Marines by overseeing issues of combat engineering operations, dock operations and basic combat skills training.
• Supported senior ranking officials in operational planning.
• Supervised improvisatory construction projects.
• Acted to ensure the welfare of enlisted personnel and make officers aware of any potential situations that could affect mission preparedness.
• Planned and briefed personnel on missions.
• Established and commanded field communication operations.
• Developed and led training programs in preparation for combat.
• Constructed and camouflaged infantry positions and equipment to prevent detection.
• Delivered logistical support and verified that all deploying organizations had necessary supplies and equipment.

Lead fire teams during infantry dismounted battle drills and situational training exercises.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Contra Costa County Bar Association

California Peace Officer, Designated and in good standing since 1999

HONORS/AWARDS

• Deputy of the Year – 2006
• Meritoriously Promoted to Sergeant – United States Marine Corps
• Non-Commissioned Officer of the Month – United States Marine Corps
• Letter of Appreciation – Homicide Investigation
• Letter of Appreciation – Solano College Law Enforcement Speaker
• Letter of Appreciation – Commercial Burglary Suspect Apprehension (K9 use)
• Lead First California Concealed Carry Weapons Coordinator Conference 2019

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Initiated a social program incorporation with the Solano County Drug Coalition titled “Give Life a Chance” (GLC), a program that provides Naloxone (Narcan) to the homeless and to those individuals who lack the financial means to purchase.