Capt. Dave Harris exec profile July 2007

Captain David Harris started his career at the Placer County Sheriff’s Department in 1982 as a Correctional Officer and was assigned to both the Tahoe Substation and the Auburn Main Jail. In 1984, he promoted to deputy sheriff and worked at the Tahoe, Auburn, and South Placer stations. During that time he was assigned to corrections, patrol, and investigations. While in investigations, he worked burglary, crimes against persons, and undercover for 2 ½ years for the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement in a state narcotics task force.

After promoting to sergeant, Harris worked corrections and patrol and was the department’s first administrative sergeant. He has been a field training officer, field training supervisor and field training manager.

Captain Harris was on the SWAT team as a collateral assignment for 12 years, the last 5 as a team leader. As a lieutenant, Harris worked as a patrol watch commander and was assigned to the jail. His responsibilities in the jail were administration, special projects and training. For the next 4-½ years, he was assigned as the commander of the South Placer substation. In 1998, he graduated from the 193rd session of FBI National Academy.

Captain Harris commanded the Air Operations Unit part-time for 7 ½ years, and full-time for 2 ½ additional years. He holds a commercial rotorcraft pilot’s license and is a graduate of the U.S. Army High Altitude Training School in Eagle, Colorado. He is also night-vision goggle certified.

He is currently assigned as the commander of the South Placer Substation. This includes field operations for the areas of Newcastle, Penryn, Loomis, Granite Bay, West Placer, and rural Lincoln. He is also responsible for helicopter air operations, the Field Training Program, and E.O.D. Captain Harris is 45 years old, married, and has five children and two grandchildren.