County Undersheriff Tim Olivas Retires This Month
Author: Sheriff's Office
Date: 12/14/2018 5:45 PM
County of SLO Undersheriff Tim Olivas retires after a 31-year-career in law enforcement with seven of those years at the Sheriff’s Office.
We salute Undersheriff Tim Olivas who is retiring after a 31-year-career in law enforcement with seven of those years at the Sheriff’s Office. His last official day in the green and tan is December 16, 2018.
“It has been a privilege and honor to serve the citizens of our amazing County. Thank you for that opportunity and thank you for the support you have shown me,” said Undersheriff Olivas. “Knowing I am leaving you in the very capable hands of Undersheriff Voge, makes my parting easier. I am looking forward to the next chapters of adventure in my life and I wish each of you only the best and ask that you live each day to the fullest.”
Undersheriff Olivas began his career in law enforcement after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Undersheriff Olivas was hired by Morro Bay Police Department in 1987, while attending Allan Hancock Basic Police Academy as a self-sponsored cadet. In 1990, Undersheriff Olivas left Morro Bay to pursue his dream of becoming a Game Warden with the California Department of Fish and Game.
At that time, Fish and Game had started their own 6-month P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy that he was required to attend. Some of his assignments with Fish and Game included working on a 47-foot patrol vessel out of San Diego, being a member of the department's SCUBA dive team, and undercover assignments with the Special Operations Unit. After 14 years working throughout the state with the Department of Fish and Game, he obtained the rank of Captain. As Captain in Monterey County he was responsible for supervising three separate commands, starting at the Oregon Border and continuing down the coast to Monterey.
In 2004, Olivas had the opportunity to return to Morro Bay Police Department as the Commander. He accepted the position and brought his family back to Central Coast. In 2008, Olivas attended and graduated from the P.O.S.T. Command College as a member of Class 42. Undersheriff Olivas is a past Chairman of the SLO County 2nd in Command's working group and has been actively involved with several service organizations within the county including Estero Bay Youth Coalition, Rotary Club International and Crime Stoppers.
Olivas was promoted to Chief of the Morro Bay Police Department in 2009. During his two years as Chief, he was able to develop and manage opportunities that boosted services and improved morale during a challenging economic time. The first K-9 patrol dog program was developed entirely through donations and community outreach. A Senior Officer program was implemented to enhance opportunities for officers to have more special assignment opportunities. A School Resource Officer was returned to the local high school, adding a patrol position under an MOU with the San Luis Coastal Unified School District.
Undersheriff Olivas has always had a strong focus on training and has been a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor, Taser instructor, and baton instructor during his law enforcement career. He was an active competitor in the Police Olympics for several years, earning several medals competing in firearms, cycling and other events.
Olivas was honored to accept the Undersheriff position when Sheriff Parkinson approached him. Having worked in San Luis Obispo County for several years, Undersheriff Olivas recognized the quality of professional employees the Sheriff's Office has and was excited to join the Sheriff's team and assist Sheriff Parkinson with his progressive goals. Undersheriff Olivas shared common philosophies and values on leadership with the Sheriff, where people are valued as the department's number one resource, where team work is critical to success and no individual is greater than the team, where maintaining accountability and transparency at all levels is important and strengthening the partnership the Sheriff's Office shares with the community we serve is a high priority.
“When I first approached Tim to be my Undersheriff, I was impressed with the quality of his character, his approach to law enforcement, his work ethic, his work in the community and the fact, he was a genuinely nice guy. In the seven years I worked with him, those qualities only served to reinforce the reason why I chose him in the first place,” said Sheriff Ian Parkinson. “The Sheriff’s Office is losing a valued member of the team but he’s earned this and I am so very happy for him and his family.”
Undersheriff Olivas has been married to his wife Sue for more than 24 years and they have one son, Sam.
