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New job: Capt. Robert Wilson
Smith taps Wilson to serve as the second in command
By Jason Baker
The months of waiting are over. Capt. Robert Wilson is in.
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith on Sept. 1 named Wilson as the new county undersheriff. Wilson assumed the duties of second in command of the sheriff's office effective Sept. 6.
Previously in charge of the Westside Substation in Saratoga, Wilson had been working in the downtown San Jose office since February, serving as both "acting assistant sheriff" and captain of the substation. Wilson had said he was contemplating retirement and had planned to do so by the end of the year had Smith not selected him for the new position.
Sgt. Luther Pugh, acting spokesman for the department, said Lt. Cary Colla will continue to perform many of the supervisory activities he had assumed after Wilson's move. However, a final decision on the future of the Westside command position will not be made until the next round of captain promotions, set to occur in the next week or so, Pugh said.
"There are several candidates who have served at the substation who are eligible for the position and [Colla] is one of them," Pugh said. "He has to go through the process just like everyone else."
While the members of the communities served by the substation certainly have input into selecting Wilson's replacement, the decision rests with the sheriff.
"One of the reasons Undersheriff Wilson was at the Westside Substation so long was because of the community desire to have him there," Pugh said.
Also on Sept. 1, Smith promoted Capt. Steve Cushing and Capt. Michael Bernal to commander, completing the sheriff's command staff. The promotions filled the gaps created when Smith chose to reorganize the office's command structure. The previous command structure had three assistant sheriffs acting as second in command. Smith said the traditional command structure would provide more effective leadership.
Wilson had taken over Assistant Sheriff Ruben Diaz's job with Diaz out on administrative leave. Diaz was Smith's opponent in last November's election. The position placed Wilson in charge of personnel and training, internal affairs and investigations.
In the meantime, Colla had assumed many of Wilson's day-to-day activities at the substation.
In May, Wilson celebrated his 31st anniversary with the department. As commander, he was in charge of law enforcement services for the cities of Saratoga, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills as well as unincorporated areas of the county. He has commanded all major divisions in the sheriff's office, including investigations and patrol. He holds a degree from St. Mary's College and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Wilson said he intends to continue with his community interests, including the Saratoga Rotary Club and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. "I'm going to miss the communities [of Saratoga and Cupertino], but I think I can continue most, if not all, of my community involvement in the new asignment," Wilson said. He added, "I feel like these people are part of my family, and I will continue to make sure issues they have are being addressed.
On Sept. 3, Smith also promoted Colla, Lt. Jeff Miles and Lt. Darryl Stambaugh to the rank of captain.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
