firstles

Many Deputies thought this appointment was yet another politically correct move from Sheriff Hennessey. The first openly lesbian Undersheriff Jan Dempsey, replaced the first women undersheriff, Mary Ann de Souza. What will be next? If this trend continues, will we see the first transsexual undersheriff? Many Deputies thought Dempsey was a bad choice, and questioned Hennessey's motives.

SHERIFF HENNESSEY APPOINTS FIRST LESBIAN UNDERSHERIFF

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Monday, November 24, 2003

UNDERSHERIFF JAN DEMPSEY

San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey today announced the appointment of Chief Deputy Jan Dempsey to the position of Undersheriff. Undersheriff Dempsey’s appointment makes her the highest-ranking lesbian law enforcement officer in the history of San Francisco.

As Undersheriff, Dempsey becomes the Sheriff’s Department’s second in command. She assumes responsibility for the 20th largest jail system in the United States, which provides custody for more than 2000 prisoners daily. She will have primary responsibility for management of labor relations with more than 850 unionized deputy sheriffs. Prior to her appointment, Undersheriff Dempsey served as Chief Deputy of the Custody Division, and Chief Deputy of Administration and Court Services.

In announcing her appointment, Sheriff Hennessey said, “Jan Dempsey is an incisive, effective manager whose intelligence and compassion have made jails safer for the people who live and work in them. I am proud to appoint her as my Undersheriff, and look forward to working with her as the Sheriff’s Department opens its new charter school, and continues to expand its role in the San Francisco public safety community.”

Undersheriff Dempsey joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1977, and achieved the rank of Lieutenant within five years. In 1983, she became the first female training manager of any major law enforcement agency in the country. She has served as the Sheriff’s Budget Officer, and commander of three of the county jails. A nationally recognized expert on AIDS, HIV and communicable disease in correctional facilities, she produced the first training video for peace officers on AIDS-related issues and has conducted workshops for the American Red Cross, the U.S. State Department, the American Jails Association and more than 200 California police and sheriffs departments. She was also instrumental in the development of the California Department of Health Services’ strategic plan for response to HIV disease in jails.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Undersheriff Dempsey attended St. Phillips’ Grammar School and St. Paul’s High School before enrolling in the honors program at San Jose State University. She earned her B.A., cum laude, in Sociology from San Francisco State and completed a master’s degree in human resources and organizational development at University of San Francisco.