David Koch appointed Sonoma County probation chief

David Koch will take the reins of Sonoma County’s probation department with the upcoming retirement of its longtime leader, Bob Ochs.

Koch, 61, previously one of two deputies under Ochs, was appointed chief probation officer by a committee of Sonoma County Superior Court judges. He will be paid an annual salary of $150,000.

In his new role, Koch will oversee about 300 probation officers and other employees, and a $67 million department budget. About 3,000 adults and children are on probation.

Koch’s duties also include managing juvenile hall, the youth probation camp in Forestville and presiding over the Community Corrections Partnership responsible for allocating $10 million a year in state prison realignment funding.

Ochs’ last day on the job is April 29. He has been chief probation officer since 2005.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.