Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal announces his retirement

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Monterey County Sheriff's office confirmed Sheriff Steve Bernal will not be running for reelection. In a video message, Sheriff Bernal announced he will be retiring on December 31, 2022 at the end of his term after serving in Monterey County for 22 years, seven of which were as the County's Sheriff.

"Now, it's time for Leslie and I to focus on our growing family," he said. "For the next 14 and a half months, I will continue working hard to make sure that we are providing the best law enforcement services."

Sheriff Bernal served as a patrol deputy at the South County Station before being elected Monterey County Sheriff in 2014. He started his career at the county jail as Custody Deputy. Bernal was also awarded Deputy of the year in 2007 and on his first year as Sheriff, Bernal received a Resolution from Senator Anthony Cannella and Assemblyman Mark Stone for providing the highest level of service and protection to the citizens of Monterey County.

Earlier this year in May, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to censure Sheriff Bernal for "allowing inappropriate expenditures of County funds" in 2019.