Candidate for
Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator; County of El Dorado

Committee to Elect George Nielsen El Dorado County Sheriff 2010 - Biography/Qualifications

Placerville City Police Chief George Nielsen is proud and honored to declare his candidacy for the position of El Dorado County Sheriff.

George Nielsen, 47, has been serving as a California peace officer for the past 24 years, 19 of those years in local supervisory, management and executive law enforcement positions. Nielsen has been a member of the City of Placerville Police Department for the past 20+ years, serving from Police Officer to Chief of Police. He has been the Placerville Chief of Police for the past 6 years. Prior to Placerville, Nielsen was a Police Officer for the Foster City Police Department for 4 years.

Nielsen has proven leadership, organizational and motivational skills. He has earned the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA POST) Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management and Executive certificates. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia, FBI National Academy - session 209 where he was amongst a select group to complete the Leadership Challenge program. Nielsen achieved top class standing as the #1 recruit at the Alameda County Sheriff's 89th POST Basic Police Academy, he is a graduate of the POST Executive Development course and he is a graduate and Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum - Mountain/Valley Chapter.

Nielsen is a member of the California Police Chief's Association and the California Peace Officer's Association. He is the current President of the Board of Directors New Morning Youth and Family Services, he is Secretary of the Board of Directors Marshall Foundation for Community Health, he is a member of the Board of Directors West Slope Boys and Girls Club, he is a member of the Board of Directors Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and he is Secretary of the Board of Directors Placerville Masonic Center Association Board.

Nielsen is the immediate past Chair and current Vice-Chair of the El Dorado County Local Area Disaster Council and he is a current member and past Chair of the County Homeland Security Funding Authority Board. He is a past President of the Board of Directors El Dorado Woman's Center and a past Chair of the El Dorado County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

Nielsen is a past recipient of the Placerville Police Department, American Legion "Officer of the Year" award, the Placerville Citizen's Ceremonial Award for Service, the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Golden Slate Award 2006 and a two time winner of the Mountain Democrat reader recognition, "Best Peace Officer in the County" 1997 and 2004. Nielsen is also a holder of the Eagle Scout award, Boy Scouts of America.

Nielsen has led the effort for national community policing recognition with awards for the #1 response in the United States for the popular and successful National Night Out program. Nielsen has also led the effort for Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus dollars to be awarded to the City of Placerville to fund a front line police officer position.

Nielsen has been a resident of El Dorado County for 20+ years, he has been married to his wife Sue for 22 years and they have one son, 11 years old.

George Nielsen is the candidate fully engaged in our local community and he has been fully engaged and committed to local public safety partnerships and solutions for the past 20 years. Nielsen says, "Partnerships with the community builds trust and trust is a key to effective law enforcement. When residents know and watch out for each other and they know their local law enforcement, we can collectively create an atmosphere that is hostile to crime and criminals and safe for kids and families."

George Nielsen stands for trust, community partnerships, transparency, cooperation and experience in local law enforcement. George Nielsen is the local candidate who brings extensive local community partnerships and executive experience to the table. George Nielsen is El Dorado County Law Enforcement Community Leadership for the Future.