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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has a new undersheriff.   Bernard “Barney” Melekian was sworn into office this morning, January 5, 2015 at the Sheriff’s Training Facility in Santa Barbara.  The ceremony was attended by over one hundred people, including dignitaries from Santa Barbara County and former colleagues from throughout Melekian’s expansive career.

The undersheriff is largely responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office and represents the sheriff in his absence.  Sheriff Bill Brown chose Melekian to be his second in command after a comprehensive selection and approval process.

Undersheriff Melekian said he is ready and eager to begin this new chapter of his life.  He said, “I am grateful to join the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and to work with such a respected organization, especially during these challenging times. The real work of law enforcement is done by the men and women who directly serve the people of this county.  I look forward to helping them with their work as we achieve the goals laid out by Sheriff Brown.”

Sheriff Bill Brown said the Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara County community as a whole will benefit greatly from Melekian’s wealth of knowledge and experience.  “Barney’s impeccable credentials, diverse experience, proven track record and unrivaled work ethic make him an ideal choice for this important position,” said Sheriff Brown. “I am delighted that he will be continuing his public service career as a key member of our agency’s executive staff.”

Melekian retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve after 25 years. During his service with the Coast Guard, he was called to active duty on two occasions including a deployment to Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf war. He also served in the U.S. Army for three years.

Melekian has 36 years of law enforcement experience.  He has served with three law enforcement agencies in California, including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, where he was employed as a deputy in 1976 before returning to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD).  Melekian worked for 23 years at the Santa Monica Police Department, promoting through the ranks from police officer to deputy chief. In 1996, he was selected to be the chief of police for the City of Pasadena, a position he held for the next 13 years.

In 2009, Melekian was selected by United States Attorney General Eric Holder to lead the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.  In 2013, he entered the private sector and began consulting for several major U.S law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and police departments in Chicago, Baltimore and, most recently, Seattle.

Melekian, who holds a doctorate in Policy, Planning and Development from USC, previously served as a commissioner on both the City of Santa Barbara’s Police and Fire Commission and the State of California’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. He is currently a board member for both the Santa Barbara Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the national Police Foundation.

Melekian said he has always had a strong connection to Santa Barbara County.  “Santa Barbara has always been a special place for me.  After serving as a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy in the 1970’s I always knew I wanted to return.  My step-son Scott who is a Captain-select for the Montecito Fire Protection District, his wife and two of our grandchildren live here and we have visited them quite often over the years. My wife, Nancy, and I decided to move to Santa Barbara after four years of living in D.C.  Once we arrived, we got involved in the community quickly and we definitely consider it home.”  Nancy Melekian is a docent at Lotusland and was recently selected as the show manager for the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.

During the ceremony, Nancy Melekian pinned her husband’s new badge on his uniform. Melekian’s son, Brian Melekian, and step-son, Scott Chapman, had the honor of pinning on his undersheriff stars.

If you would like to view video from the ceremony today, go to https://www.yousendit.com/download/UlRSR0lhV3IwVW5vS3NUQw