Undersheriff Michael Casten

Undersheriff Casten is a graduate of Sacramento State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Management. Undersheriff Casten is credentialed as a California Senior Executive by the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government. 

Undersheriff Casten has been with the Office of the Sheriff for 33 years. He was assigned to the Patrol Division for 9 years as a Deputy, Field Training Officer and Sergeant before promoting to Lieutenant in 2001.  

As a Lieutenant, Undersheriff Casten managed the Communications Unit, Civil Unit, Records Unit and the Internal Affairs Unit. In 2005, Undersheriff Casten was promoted to the rank of Captain and served as the Division Commander of the Technical Services Division. In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Commander and served as Bureau Commander of the Support Services Bureau before being appointed to Undersheriff in 2011 by Sheriff David Livingston.  

Undersheriff Casten currently sits as a Board Member for the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), the East Bay Regional Communication System Authority (EBRCSA), and the Bay Area Regional Interoperable Communications System Authority (BayRICS). Undersheriff Casten represents the Sheriff's Office on the Community Corrections Partnership. Undersheriff Casten is a member of the Contra Costa County Chiefs of Police Association.

Undersheriff Casten has served as an executive manager on several large projects for the Office of the Sheriff to include the East Bay Regional Communication System, a two-county multi-jurisdiction 800 MHz P25 digital trunked voice communication system and has served as Chair of the Automated Regional Exchange System (ARIES) during the initial development of that project within Contra Costa County.
 

Assistant Sheriff Steve Simpkins -Administrative Services

Assistant Sheriff Steve Simpkins has been with the Office of the Sheriff since 1994.  As a Deputy Sheriff, he worked at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF), County Patrol and the contract city of San Ramon.  Assistant Sheriff Simpkins was promoted to Sergeant in 2001 and worked at the MDF, County Patrol, and as the detective sergeant for the contract city of Orinda.  Assistant Sheriff Simpkins was promoted to Lieutenant in 2005 and served as the MDF Facility Commander, West County Detention Facility Commander and as a Watch Commander.  In July of 2010, Assistant Sheriff Simpkins was selected to be the Chief of Police for the Town of Danville and held that position until July of 2017; promoting to Captain in 2014.  As a Captain, he also worked in the Coroner’s Division and the Martinez Detention Division.  Prior to promotion to Assistant Sheriff, he served as the Interim Police Chief in Kensington.  

Assistant Sheriff Simpkins is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #246 and POST Command College, Class #59.  His formal education includes a MA in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma, a BS in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University and an AS in Criminal Justice from Solano College.
 

Assistant Sheriff Melissa Klawuhn -Field Operations

Assistant Sheriff Melissa Klawuhn joined the Office of the Sheriff in 2001 as a Laboratory Aide in the Forensic Services Division.  In 2003, she was promoted to Deputy Sheriff Criminalist and attended the basic police academy.  The next year, she transferred to the classification of Deputy Sheriff, where she held assignments in Detention, County Patrol, and the Investigation Division.  During that time, she served as a Bay Point Resident Deputy, Homicide Detective, and Hostage Negotiator. 

Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2013, where she was assigned to the Martinez Detention Facility, Internal Affairs, and as a Team Leader on the Hostage Negotiations Team.  In 2016, she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where she was assigned to the Emergency Services Division and served as the SWAT Commander.  In 2019, she was promoted to the rank of Captain, where she served as the Investigation Division Commander.

In 2021, Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn was promoted to her current rank.  She is assigned to the Field Operations Bureau, which includes the Patrol, Special Operations, and Investigations Divisions.

Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn is a graduate of the California POST Command College.  She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.
 

Assistant Sheriff Jason Vorhauer - Custody Services

Assistant Sheriff Jason Vorhauer has been with the Office of the Sheriff since 2000.   As a Deputy Sheriff, he was assigned to Detention, Courts, and County Patrol. He was also a Detective in the Investigation Division, working in the GeneraI Investigations (GIT) and Special Investigations  (Narcotics/Vice) Units; He also served on the Sheriff’s SWAT Team as an operator.

In 2010, Assistant Sheriff  Vorhauer was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he was assigned to County Patrol and the Investigations Division. While in Investigations, Assistant Sheriff Jason Vorhauer oversaw the GIT and SIU/Vice Units. 

In 2013, Assistant Sheriff Vorhauer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where he was assigned to the Detention Division and the Technical Services Division. In 2016, Assistant Sheriff Vorhauer was promoted to the rank of Captain, where he was assigned to the Technical Services Division and the Special Operations Division.

In May 2023, Assistant Sheriff Vorhauer was promoted to his current rank. He is assigned to the Custody Services Bureau, which includes Detention, Courts, and Custody Alternative Facility Divisions. 

Assistant Sheriff Vorhauer’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of the Pacific. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy.
 

Assistant Sheriff Jose Beltran - Support Services

Assistant Sheriff Jose Beltran joined the Office of the Sheriff in March 2000.  As a Deputy Sheriff, he was assigned to the Martinez Detention Facility, Classification Unit, Patrol, and SWAT.  In 2006, he transferred to the Investigation Division, where he worked in the Property Crimes Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, and joined the FBI’s “Safe Streets” Task Force as an undercover Narcotics Detective.  In 2010, he was selected as the Investigation Division’s Officer of the Year and promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2010.   As a Sergeant, Assistant Sheriff Beltran was assigned to the Richmond Superior Courthouse and later assigned to the Investigation Division, Homicide Unit.  As the Homicide Unit Sergeant, he supervised and oversaw multiple homicide and high-profile cases investigated by the Office of the Sheriff.  He also served as a Team Leader on the SWAT Team. 

In October 2013, Assistant Sheriff Beltran was promoted to Lieutenant, held assignments as Watch Commander, Delta Station Area Commander, and managed the Marine Services Unit.  In 2015, he developed and established the Air Support Unit’s Short-Haul Rescue and Initial Fire Suppression program and the Marine Services Unit’s Dive Team.  As a Lieutenant, he also served as the Assistant SWAT Commander and SWAT Team Commander.

Assistant Sheriff Beltran was promoted to Captain in 2017 and assigned to the Emergency Services Division, West County Detention Facility, Martinez Detention Facility, Special Operations Division, and Investigation Division.  In February 2024, Assistant Sheriff Beltran was promoted to his current rank.  He is assigned to the Support Services Bureau, which includes Emergency Services, Forensic Services, and Technical Services Divisions.

Assistant Sheriff Beltran graduated from CSU Sonoma State in 1999, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute.  Assistant Sheriff Beltran has received recognition from former Congress Member George Miller, former FBI Director Robert Mueller III, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for various investigations and multi-agency operations during his career with the Office of the Sheriff.