Joel Daffron

Deputy Chief Probation Officer Joel Daffron was hired as a full-time Deputy Probation Officer by the Merced County Probation Department in 2007. As a Deputy Probation Officer, he was a range instructor, officer safety instructor, Taser instructor, and first officer to supervise clients released from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation under AB-109 Re-alignment.

Daffron was promoted to Supervising Probation Officer in June 2012 and assigned to oversee the Juvenile Field Unit. He supervised a unit of deputy probation officers that provided supervision services as determined by a validated risk/needs assessment. He was later assigned to the Adult Division to oversee special services such as domestic violence, sexual offender, and residential treatment supervision. Additionally, he worked with collaborative teams such as drug and mental health courts.

Daffron was promoted to Probation Division Manager in April 2017 and assigned to oversee the Juvenile Field Division. He establishes SMART division goals, objectives, and outcomes with the assistance of administrative staff, subordinate staff, and stakeholders. In February 2022, Daffron was assigned to the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex (IGJJCC), responsible for overseeing the facility.

Daffron was promoted to Deputy Chief Probation Officer in March 2023 and assigned to oversee both Juvenile and Adult Field Services.