"It’s like coming back home," said Capt. Jeff Matson of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department when asked about his new assignment.

Matson will be in command of all patrol deputies in the city of Thousand Oaks and the unincorporated areas within the East County. Effective March 27, he’ll replace Capt. Harold Humphries, who held the position for nearly five years.

The area under new command, which is patrolled by nearly 50 deputies overseen by about nine sergeants includes Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch and the unincorporated parts of Newbury Park.

"Harold Humphries has been a real asset to the sheriff’s department," said Cmdr. Marty Rouse, the direct supervisor for the position. "He’s carried the sheriff’s flag in an exemplary manner."

Rouse said Humphries was instrumental in the push to update mobile computer equipment in patrol cars in the east end of the county.

Humphries, a 22-year veteran, will take over as the head of operations for the Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula, which holds nearly 800 inmates.

"I think this next assignment is going to be a challenge, but I’m really looking forward to it," Humphries said. "I truly loved my five years working in the East County. I loved the community and the people. I feel good about releasing the reigns."

Humphries will continue to live in Camarillo with Patti, his wife of 33 years. He has three grown children.

Matson, who most recently served a four-year term as captain for the Internal Affairs Division, is excited to return to the East County, where he spent 12 years of his career.

"I have big shoes to fill," Matson said. "Because of budget cuts, Harold has been doing the job of two captains."

Like all deputies in the department, Matson began his career in the jails and was then reassigned to patrol East County cities including Moorpark and Oak Park. He was promoted to sergeant in 1994 and made captain in 1998.

After a brief stint as facility manager for the main jail, Matson worked as the Thousand Oaks assistant chief of police for about three years.

"I know the job from the city side," Matson said. "Now I’ll get to see it from the county side."

Matson plans to ride along with patrol deputies and sergeants to acquaint himself with the current issues in the area and see firsthand how the new technology in patrol cars helps his deputies. Matson hopes to foster better communication between the citizens and the sheriff’s department.

Matson is a longtime Ventura County resident and the father of two children, both college students.