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Ponzio Oliverio is a native of the San Diego area, growing up in North Park and later East County. In 1985 he joined the San Diego Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff and before retiring in 2010 worked in all three areas of the criminal justice field; corrections, law enforcement, and courts. He is a decorated law enforcement officer having been awarded the Medal of Valor and the Award of Exemplary Performance. In addition he has received numerous Letters of Commendation both from the Sheriff’s Department and outside agencies such as the United States Border Patrol, California Department of Corrections, and the Chula Vista Police Department, as well as numerous citizens’ commendations. His efforts have been acknowledged by the California State Senate and Assembly with Certificates of Recognition, and by the United States House of Representatives with a Certificate of Special Recognition.
Ponzio has been very active in the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association serving on the Board of Directors and as the Vice-president. He has participated on the Negotiations Committee, and also chaired the Political Action Committee and the Legal Defense Plan Committee. He has always worked hard to protect the rights of fellow deputies. For his work as Vice-president of the DSA, he was again recognized by the California Assembly with three Certificates of Recognition and by the United States House of Representatives with two Certificates of Special Recognition.
In 1996 Ponzio graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law, while working full-time as a deputy, and was awarded the degree of Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1997. Since that time he has used his degree and his law enforcement experience as a teacher. In 1999 he began teaching at the Regional Police Academy in various criminal law subjects. In 2001 he was selected by P.O.S.T. to serve on a workbook committee to rewrite and edit the Learning Domain workbooks used throughout the State. In 1999 he also began teaching at National University and is now a lead adjunct professor teaching in multiple programs including criminal justice, forensics, public administration, human resources, and organizational development. He started teaching for the University of Phoenix in 2003 and is now a Distinguished Faculty for that institution. He has twice been invited as a guest lecturer on criminal procedure by his Alma Mater, USD.
In addition to successful law enforcement and teaching careers, Ponzio is also a published author. He was a weekly columnist for the San Diego Herald newspaper from 2001 through 2005. In 2004 he was selected as a contributing author for True Blue, an anthology of police stories published by St. Martin’s Press. In 2008 he was again asked to contribute to the follow-up book, True Blue II. He co-authored the Crime-Free Mobile Housing training manual which has been used throughout the state. He has also had a few of his outdoorsmen stories appear in various hunting publications.
With a sustained background in law enforcement and a passion for tackling labor issues, Ponzio will be a valuable addition to the legal staff at Bobbitt, Pinckard & Fields.
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