California Inspector General - Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints David Shaw

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of David R. Shaw as inspector general.

"David's vast experience in the criminal justice field makes him the perfect person for this job at this crucial time when fiscal accountability and inmate safety problems persist," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am confident he will ensure California's correctional system is held to the highest standard and that our ideals of government accountability, public transparency and justice are upheld."

Shaw has served as chief assistant inspector general of the Bureau of Independent Review for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) since 2004. From 1999 to 2004, he served as deputy executive officer for the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, where he directed the Revenue Recovery and Appeals Division for the largest victims' crime compensation program in the U.S. Shaw previously served as the executive director and chief deputy for the Office of Criminal Justice and Planning in the Office of the Governor from 1997 to 1999. From 1995 to 1996, he served as chief counsel for the California Assembly Committee on Public Safety. In this position, Shaw provided comprehensive legal and public policy analysis for over 700 Assembly and Senate bills that proposed changes to California's criminal law, evidence and procedure.

From 1987 to 1995, he served as deputy district attorney in the Sacramento District Attorney's Office, where he directed and supervised federal, state and local law enforcement investigations and apprehensions and conducted state and federal criminal prosecutions. Shaw is also a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve where he currently serves as a brigade commander in the 104th Division.

"I am extremely honored to be chosen to serve in this important role," Shaw said. "I am excited to be given the chance to use all of my experience to help make the state's corrections and rehabilitation system safer and more efficient."

Shaw, 51, of Gold River, earned a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,965. Shaw is a Republican.

The OIG operates as an independent "watch-dog" agency. The office carries out its mission by conducting investigations to uncover criminal conduct, administrative wrongdoing, poor management practices, waste, fraud and other abuses by staff, supervisors and management. The OIG is also responsible for real-time oversight of internal affairs investigations and disciplinary actions conducted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com