New AC-DOJ President Gunther Scharnhorst to attend first CSLEA Board meeting as CSLEA Director on September 24th

SACRAMENTO – On September 9, 2024, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Director and Association of Criminalists – Department of Justice (AC-DOJ) President Sara Penn announced that she is stepping down from her association positions as a result of a promotion she has accepted as Criminalist Supervisor at the Department of Justice in Ripon. 

“Congratulations to Sara on her promotion,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Sara has served as a CSLEA director and as president of AC-DOJ for nearly four years and her service on the AC-DOJ Board began long before that.  She is well respected and has dedicated much time, energy, and thought to CSLEA and AC-DOJ members.  We will miss her presence on our Board and at our Board of Directors meetings.  Thank you, Sara, for your experience, service, and contributions to CSLEA and AC-DOJ.”

Penn became president of AC-DOJ and a CSLEA Director in 2020.  “I loved my time as the AC-DOJ president and representing our members,” said Penn.  “I will continue to encourage new employees to become active members and will support AC-DOJ and CSLEA by maintaining my membership. I am proud to be a member and it has truly been an honor to work with such a dedicated group of people at CSLEA.” 

As a CSLEA Director, Penn has participated in contract negotiations, contributed to political action decisions, served on the Legal Representation Committee (LRC), helped to strengthen CSLEA membership and has carefully guided the AC-DOJ Board with her leadership.   With her AC-DOJ leadership, AC-DOJ continued its much appreciated “Total Loss of Primary Residence” benefit, AC-DOJ Retirement Bonus, and AC-DOJ $2,000 Death Benefit. 

“AC-DOJ is always looking for ways to support and thank our membership. I hope that these benefits continue to provide support to the members during difficult times and show our gratitude to those who have provided years of service,” said Penn.

Replacing Penn as president of AC-DOJ and CSLEA director is AC-DOJ Vice President Gunther Scharnhorst.  Scharnhorst is no stranger to the CSLEA Board, he has attended CSLEA Board of Director meetings and conferences.  “We welcome Gunther to our CSLEA Board of Directors and as the new president of AC-DOJ, and look forward to working with him,” said Barcelona.  “His experience on the AC-DOJ Board means there will be no gap in guidance and leadership.”

Scharnhorst joined the AC-DOJ Board seven years ago and has been a member of the Department of Justice for the past 16 years. He is also the president of the California Association of Criminalists.

“Congratulations to Sara. I am thankful to have her available as a knowledgeable guide while I also adjust to my new role. I am also thankful to have the counsel of Bobby Cheseldine, Corey Schroeder, Danielle Tani, and Jennifer Dernoncourt as members of the AC-DOJ Board.”