A native of Norton, Kansas, Mike Jimenez recognized early on in life the value of a strong work ethic, as his father often worked two and three jobs to make ends meet. It was a life lesson that became a part of Jimenez’s character.
After high school, a wrestling scholarship got Jimenez into Dodge City Community College, but it wasn’t allowing him the opportunity to be of financial help to his family, so in 1981 he pursued what sounded like good money working in the oil fields, first in Colorado and then in California’s Kern County. However, Jimenez soon realized he needed more secure employment. That’s when a friend got him a part time job at a local county jail, which soon led to employment with the California Department of Corrections at Avenal State Prison in 1986.
As Avenal’s chapter president, Jimenez served on CCPOA’s Board of Directors, and in 1992, he was a member of CCPOA’s negotiating team as the union and the state worked toward a contract agreement. It was an invaluable experience that only deepened his dedication to improving the benefits and working conditions of his fellow correctional officers.
In late 1994 Jimenez was elected CCPOA’s Executive Vice President, a position he would hold for eight years before being elected State President in August 2002. In this position, Jimenez continued the organization’s steadfast commitment to maintain public safety in California, while working to improve training and safety for the officers who work behind the walls of the state’s correctional facilities, and in the youth and adult parole systems.
Mike retired from state service and as President of CCPOA on December 31, 2014.
Jimenez’s commitment to enhancing the correctional peace officer profession for CCPOA’s more than 30,000 active members is driven by his affinity for the brave men and women who work in California’s correctional institutions.
