On Friday, Sheriff Moon formally appointed Sam Brown to Undersheriff and promoted Sean Scales to Captain.
Undersheriff Brown
Undersheriff Brown assumes his new role with over 20 years of experience in law enforcement. He has been with NCSO since 2003 and began his career as a correctional officer, working in Wayne Brown Correctional Facility. In 2005, the Sheriff’s Office sponsored him in attending the Peace Officers and Standards Training (POST) Academy at Yuba College in 2005, where he graduated with an academic achievement award. Upon completion of POST, he began working as a sheriff’s deputy.
In 2008 and 2012, Undersheriff Brown received the Deputy of the Year Award for his dedication and commitment to Nevada County. Throughout his 21-year career, the undersheriff has held several roles, including court security officer and bailiff; field training officer; corporal; detective; sergeant; background investigator; internal affairs investigator; negotiator; commander; lieutenant; executive lieutenant; and captain before becoming undersheriff. He has also worked in and/or supervised a variety of NCSO departments and divisions, including Corrections; Patrol; Court Security; the Major Crimes Unit, Search and Rescue; the Volunteer Program; Animal Control; the Crisis Negotiation Team; Special Enforcement Detail; Operations Division; and Field Training Program.
“Sam is a born leader and someone I can always count on to get the job done,” said Sheriff Moon. “He is one of the most resilient individuals I know and his passion to serve and protect others has been evident throughout countless incidents and the countless hours he has devoted to garner positive outcomes. With his vast experience and knowledge across our divisions, coupled with his ability to lead crises and oversee major incidents and our entire operations division, he is decidedly qualified to take on this role and I am proud to appoint him as our community’s newest undersheriff.”
Undersheriff Brown was born in Germany and grew up in Salinas, CA. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Today, Undersheriff Brown lives locally with his wife and two teenage sons. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, sports, camping and other outdoor activities.
Captain Scales
Captain Sean Scales assumes his new role with 18 years of experience in law enforcement. Captain Scales began his law enforcement career by attending the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Basic Recruit Academy in 2006. Following graduation, he worked as a deputy for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for approximately four years. In 2010, Captain Scales found a new opportunity with NCSO and has been with NCSO ever since.
Much like Undersheriff Brown, Captain Scales has worked in a variety of capacities for the Sheriff’s Office. As a deputy, Captain Scales worked in Patrol and the Major Crimes Unit. As a sergeant, he was an asset to the Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center (where 911 calls are managed), Patrol, and the Professional Standards Unit; and in his last role as lieutenant, Captain Scales worked in Patrol, Corrections, Investigations, and the Office of Emergency Services (OES).
“Sean is one of the most level-headed and hardest working people I know,” said Sheriff Moon. “For the last few years, we’ve had him embedded with OES to assist with the management of crises, ranging from fires, evacuations, and blizzards to major incidents, which requires not only the competence to juggle simultaneous events but the ability to provide quick and accurate communication to the public. His ability to stay calm and collected under pressure in any situation is a key strength, making him a natural fit and commander of our Operations Division and Major Crimes Unit.”
