Kevin Huddle says he’s ready to tackle some of the biggest issues facing law enforcement.
As the new president of the California Peace Officers Association, he wants to expand training opportunities for officers and strengthen relationships among agencies across the state, he said.
He plans to do it all while continuing to serve as chief deputy of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
“CPOA allows me to stay connected,” Huddle said.
Already, things are getting busier for Huddle, who was sworn in Sept. 16 and immediately began overseeing the organization, which represents its more than 20,000 members.
It’s a role that comes with controversy.
The position puts Huddle at the helm of a lobbying behemoth that regularly supports and opposes legislation affecting police, policing and the criminal justice system.
“Annually, there are several bills proposed in the legislature that are problematic for law enforcement,” Huddle said. “CPOA routinely partners with our law enforcement partners to have a voice in Sacramento to ensure the new legislation is appropriate and allows us to do our job in a safe and effective manner.”
In addition, CPOA trains law enforcement professionals from San Diego to the state’s northern border.
CPOA’s 2026 legislative platform calls for opposing further reductions in criminal penalties and certain data-reporting requirements while supporting funding for law enforcement agencies, behavioral health treatment and other public safety initiatives.
Closer to home, Huddle oversees the county sheriff’s Law Enforcement Operations Branch. In other words, he’s in charge of the agency’s core crime-fighting and public safety efforts across the unincorporated county.
Recruitment and retention as two of the many challenges facing law enforcement agencies in California, he said
“Agencies are struggling to hire qualified candidates and have them remain in the profession for 25-plus years,” Huddle said.
After consulting the CPOA’s legislative advocate, Huddle pointed to Assembly Bill 1383 as an example of one measure the organization supported to address recruitment and retention.
The bill would have lowered the normal retirement age for certain public safety employees from 57 to 55, allowed employers and labor organizations to negotiate more generous pension contracts, and increased the cap on pensionable compensation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the measure Sunday after it passed both houses of the State Legislature with broad support.
Huddle said CPOA worked with other first responder organizations in support of the measure, and that he expects efforts to change the pension rules to continue in the coming year.
He also said CPOA found itself at odds with several bills introduced in response to federal immigration enforcement.
Huddle said those bills dealt with issues including hiring recruits who previously worked for the federal government. The legislation also addressed participation in local, state and federal task forces, retention of automated license plate reader data, use of lethal force and rules governing civilian access to provide medical care.
“All of these issues were spurred by incidents that occurred between the federal government and the public, but each had a different impact on California law enforcement agencies, as well, although local police and sheriffs were not the intended target,” Huddle said.
“This wave of reform was frustrating for local law enforcement, considering the years of hard work we just undertook to regain the trust and respect of our State elected leaders,” Huddle said.
CPOA has also opposed legislation intended to change how law enforcement agencies are held accountable. This year, the organization opposed Senate Bill 747, a bill still pending that would allow people to sue in state court over violations of their federal rights. It also fought against and Senate Bill 937, which would restrict police use of flash-bang grenades at protests and require agencies to publicly report when they are used.
Huddle said he appreciates the opportunity to exchange ideas with law enforcement professionals throughout the state. “We can talk and see what is working or not working.”
Huddle also wants to grow the organization beyond its 22,137 members who come from 128 police and sheriff’s departments.
“My goal is to increase that number of members to over 25,000 members,” Huddle said.
He also plans to bring back COPSWEST, CPOA’s law enforcement technology and product expo, which he said has been on pause since the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is slated to return in November 2027 Ontario east of Los Angeles.
Huddle’s CPOA region includes Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. He said his experience on the Central Coast gives him a dual perspective—on populated and rural communities.
“Santa Barbara County is very diverse, and being an executive with a mid-size coastal Sheriff’s Office allows me to share my lived experiences with my colleagues,” Huddle said.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown attended Huddle’s swearing-in. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo administered the oath of office.
“Chief Huddle has worked his way through CPOA’s chairs and is now the president of one of California’s most respected law enforcement organizations,” Brown said. “I admire Kevin’s willingness to serve in this leadership position to support the men and women of California law enforcement.”
