Full Biography for Patrick C. "Pat" Lantz

Candidate for
Director; Tehachapi Valley Health Care District

I have served nearly 30 years as a law enforcement officer. Most of my career has been with the Kern County Sheriff's Department. I have been a sergeant for 14 years. During my career I have served in the jails, substations, patrol, communications, court services, training, intelligence, crime prevention and D.A.R.E.

Since being promoted to sergeant I have participated in program development in crime prevention and community policing. I have written complicated training programs and the policies and procedures that support them. I have applied for and been awarded crime prevention grants on behalf of the Kern County Sheriff's Department. I have managed grant-funded programs directed at crime analysis and crime prevention.

In addition to these administrative functions I have been in command of sheriff's substations. When I commanded the Tehachapi City Contract station I initiated a program of enforcement activity that resulted in a reduction of nearly 35% in reported serious crimes. Injury traffic accidents were reduced nearly 28%

Now I am in charge of the unit whose 35 officers move prisoners to and from the courts, other jails, state prisons and medical providers.

I have an Associate Degree in the Administration of Justice awarded at Bakersfield College twenty years ago. I have completed several upper-division college courses and several hours of advanced training in a variety of management skills including public budgeting and operations management. I have not yet gotten a bachelor's degree.

I enjoy travel, photography and reading. I speak Spanish and French but do not consider myself fluent in either. Several times a year I am able to provide assistance to a person who speaks only Spanish.