Candidates for San Bernardino County Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Office: Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator — San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States (20,056 sq mi), with ~2.1M residents and a sheriff's department budget of ~$1.2B. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, responsible for patrol, corrections, coroner services, and public administration. The office is nonpartisan. Incumbent Shannon Dicus, appointed in July 2021 and elected in June 2022, faces a challenge from retired sergeant Joe Silva. Under the top-two primary system, if no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to November 3.[1]
Shannon Dicus Nonpartisan Age ~59 Incumbent Favorite
San Bernardino County Sheriff (appointed 2021, elected 2022) • Hesperia
Shannon Dicus was appointed Sheriff in July 2021 after the previous sheriff resigned, and was elected with 74.3% in June 2022. He has spent 34 years with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (hired 1991), holding every rank from Deputy to Undersheriff. He served in Corrections, Patrol (Barstow, Apple Valley, Victorville), Narcotics, SWAT, Criminal Intelligence, and Internal Affairs. He served in the US Army, 101st Airborne Division, as an MP at Fort Campbell, KY and Sinai, Egypt. He holds a BA in Criminal Justice from CSUSB and an MA in Communications from California Baptist University. He has focused his tenure on proactive policing, technology modernization, and workforce expansion.[2]
Top Issues / Platform
- Proactive Policing & Organized Crime: Operations Consequences and Hammer Strike — 2,200+ felony arrests, 250+ lbs fentanyl seized, thousands of firearms removed; focus on cartel-driven illegal marijuana grows and organized retail theft
- Technology & Modernization: Countywide body-worn cameras, AI for report-writing, drones as first responders, real-time intelligence systems, new dispatch center (opening May 2026)
- Workforce Growth & Morale: Grew department by ~400 personnel; secured ~$300M in ongoing investments; competitive salaries on par with LA and Riverside counties; 60 slots per academy are full
- Substance Use & Behavioral Health: Advocate for expanding treatment facilities; alternatives to incarceration; Operation Shelter Me and Community Service & Reentry Division for homelessness
- Immigration Enforcement: Supports 287(g) program for coordination with federal partners on serious/violent criminals; criticizes CA laws restricting local-federal cooperation[3]
Key Endorsements
- San Bernardino Sun editorial board (May 13, 2026)
- Sheriff's Employees' Benefit Association (SEBA) — deputies union
- Redlands Police Officers Association
- Teamsters
- Elected with 74.3% in 2022 — strong mandate from voters[4]
Strengths ▲
- 34 years of law enforcement experience at every rank — unmatched institutional knowledge
- Won 2022 election with 74.3% — strong mandate from voters
- Successful modernization record (body cameras, AI, drones, new dispatch center)
- Union endorsements (SEBA, Teamsters) show rank-and-file support
- Budget grew by $300M+ and department grew by 400+ personnel
- Broad community and editorial board support
Weaknesses ▼
- Claimed "vote of no confidence" by some deputies, per Silva's campaign
- Wife serves as Deputy Chief — conflict of interest concerns raised by Silva
- $1.2B budget management questioned by opponent as potentially wasteful
- 287(g) immigration enforcement stance may alienate some voters
- Incumbent advantage cuts both ways — vulnerable to anti-incumbent sentiment
Joe Silva Nonpartisan Age 61 Challenger
Retired SBCSD Sergeant • Bloomington
Joe Silva is a retired San Bernardino County Sheriff's Sergeant (29 years, 1988–2018) and retired CA DMV investigator (2024). He served in patrol, narcotics, and SWAT, commanding over 400 deputies/detectives. He spent 13 years in the US Air Force (1983–1996). He holds an AA from the Community College of the Air Force (1988) and an AA from San Bernardino Valley College (1998), with coursework at UC Riverside and University of Redlands. He says he was asked by 75% of deputies to run against Dicus. His father was a US Marine from Mexico, his mother from the Philippines. Married to Patty (former SBCSD deputy) for 30 years. Serves on the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Committee.[5]
Top Issues / Platform
- Staffing & Deputy Shortages: Claims stations have as few as 3 deputies per shift; same staffing levels as 1980s/1990s; needs more deputies on patrol; blames low morale on being "run ragged"
- Budget Reform & Cost Cutting: Says sheriff's spending is wasteful (printers costing $700–$1,000 that could be $150 at Costco; brake jobs costing $800 that could be $200–$250); wants to reduce his own salary as sheriff
- Morale & Trust: Says deputies don't trust Dicus; claims 75% of deputies asked him to run; says deputies avoid calls fearing internal affairs investigations over minor mistakes
- Community Partnership: Wants more community events, town halls; restore trust between department and public; runs Bloomington food bank serving 100+ families every two weeks
- Conflict of Interest: Claims Dicus's wife as Deputy Chief creates conflict; says Dicus compensation is excessive[6]
Key Endorsements
- Claims grassroots deputy support (but official union SEBA endorsed Dicus)
Strengths ▲
- 29 years of law enforcement experience in the same department — understands the agency
- Served 13 years in the US Air Force — military service appeals to voters
- Specific, relatable examples of waste (printers, brake jobs) resonate with voters
- Running as reformer against entrenched incumbent
- Personal story (Mexican/Filipino-American, son with kidney disease) connects with diverse communities
Weaknesses ▼
- No active campaign website or visible campaign infrastructure
- Lost the official deputies union endorsement (SEBA endorsed Dicus)
- Retired sergeant challenging a sitting sheriff — David vs. Goliath dynamic
- Claims of 75% deputy support difficult to verify
- Limited fundraising compared to incumbent
- Budget-cutting proposals may be seen as simplistic by voters who prioritize public safety spending
Race Summary & Outlook
This is an incumbent vs. retired sergeant race. Shannon Dicus has been sheriff since 2021 (elected 2022 with 74.3%), has a strong record of modernization and growth, and has the official deputies union endorsement. Joe Silva is running as a reformer promising to cut waste and improve deputy morale, claiming rank-and-file support.
- Dicus's advantage: Strong campaign infrastructure, law enforcement endorsements, editorial board support, and a record of modernization (body cameras, AI, drones, new dispatch center). His 34 years at every rank and 74.3% mandate give him institutional credibility.
- Silva's opening: Deputy morale is the key battleground — Dicus points to union endorsements and department growth; Silva claims a "vote of no confidence." His specific examples of wasteful spending (printers, brake jobs) could resonate, and his personal story connects with diverse communities.
- Turnout factor: In a low-turnout primary with no presidential race at the top of the ticket, the incumbent advantage is significant. Dicus has a well-funded campaign and name recognition from the 2022 race.
- Key question: Can Silva convince voters that morale is broken enough to replace a sheriff with strong union backing and a clear modernization record? Or will Dicus's institutional support and 74.3% mandate carry him to another term?
Likely outcome: Dicus re-elected outright in the primary or easily wins a November runoff. Silva's campaign lacks the infrastructure to mount a serious challenge, though his message may keep the margin closer than 2022.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026