Leonard A. Bakker II

Chief Probation Officer

Message from the Chief

Welcome and thank you for visiting the website for the Kings County Probation Department.  I would like to briefly introduce myself.  I am a lifelong Kings County resident, graduated from California State University, Fresno, and as of August 1, 2023, have served in the Kings County Probation Department for 29 years.  Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to hold a variety of assignments, including field services, Court Unit, specialized multiagency task force, Administrative Unit, electronic monitoring; as well as management positions serving as Director of the Kings Juvenile Center and Deputy Chief overseeing juvenile and adult field and Court services.  Prior to being appointed as the Chief Probation Officer on June 12, 2023, I also served as the Acting Chief Probation Officer for three months.  I am dedicated to enforcing the laws of California and serving the residents and Courts of Kings County.

The professionals employed with the Kings County Probation Department work diligently and are committed to maintaining community safety and providing support for justice-involved individuals undergoing rehabilitation.  Probation offers an alternative to incarceration, empowering individuals to make positive changes and embark on a journey toward a brighter future.  By connecting comprehensive services and addressing the unique needs of justice-involved individuals, probation plays a vital role in fostering community safety and restoring people to help achieve long-term public safety.  Probation staff have specialized training; along with playing a vital role as mentors, coaches, and agents of change which provides the expertise to skillfully manage the complex needs of justice involved individuals.  
Please feel free to contact the department if you have any questions, and you will be directed to the appropriate person.  Thank you again for visiting the website.

Vision:

Dedicated to enhancing public safety by motivating positive behavior change, enforcing Court orders, and improving outcomes.

Mission:

Addressing the needs of victims of crime, providing accurate and complete information to the Court, reducing criminal activity through evidence-based practices and accountability measures while strengthening and empowering individuals and families.

Integrity – We believe honest, ethical behavior is essential in our organization.

Service – We believe service to the public is the substance of our profession.

Responsibility/Accountability – We believe responsibility and accountability are inseparable.

Uniformity/Consistency – We believe in uniform and consistent application of the policies and procedures of our organization and the laws of this land.

Pride – We celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes.