Chief Tamika Nelson joined San Diego County Probation in January after serving as the Assistant Chief Probation Officer in San Joaquin County. She brings 20 years of experience in the field, starting as a Probation Officer in 2001 while earning her Juris Doctorate from the Humphreys School of Law in Stockton. In addition to her law degree, Ms. Nelson earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.

As Assistant Chief in San Joaquin County, she helped expand transitional services such as behavioral health services, community-based support services and educational services to youth and families to ensure successful transitions back into the community. She also led a committee that worked to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in San Joaquin County. 

Chief Nelson will lead the San Diego County Probation Department in its mission to provide the highest quality of service through family and community engagement, restorative practices, and employee-focused enrichment. She is the first African American female San Diego County Chief Probation Officer in the history of the organization.