L.A. County selects new chief for troubled Probation Department

Alameda County's probation chief was named Tuesday to run Los Angeles County's beleaguered Probation Department and is expected to begin April 19.

The appointment of Donald H. Blevins was approved unanimously by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Blevins’ salary was set at $227,000, with up to $25,000 provided for relocation costs.

Blevins has led Alameda County’s department since 2003, and L.A. County supervisors were said to be impressed with his turnaround of that agency and his handling of tight budgets.

The L.A. County probation agency’s juvenile operation has been the subject of U.S. Justice Department oversight for misuse of force, and county supervisors have criticized persistent management lapses.

-- Rong-Gong Lin II at the L.A. County Hall of Administration