Former Los Angeles Chief of Probation Donald Blevins says he left the department on good terms: “It was a mutually agreeable decision,” he said speaking on KPCC's AirTalk Thursday. “It was time for me to move on and for the department to head in a different direction.”
Blevins said he left for family reasons and was not forced out because of his performance. His departure came in the midst of the recently launched California prison realignment program — a program that vastly changes the structure of how the state and its counties handle criminal offenders.
County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky confirmed media reports that the supervisors are in the midst of negotiations with Jerry Powers, who currently leads the Stanislaus County Probation Department in Central California, to replace Blevins. Yaroslavsky said Powers will most likely fill the position.
Even while negotiating a replacement, Yaroslavsky praised Blevins for his work and said he “pointed the ship in a more positive direction.”
Blevins said he and Powers began their careers together years ago in San Diego, and called Powers a great replacement.
WEIGH IN:
Is the county failing the kids in juvenile camps? Does anyone have the ability to whip the department into shape? Or should the feds step in?
Guests:
Donald Blevins, Chief Probation Officer, Los Angeles County Probation Department
Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District