For the last 24 years, I have been proud to serve in one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the nation. It has been an honor and a privilege and I have shared many extraordinary experiences with you, my colleagues.

Throughout the years you have each showcased your incredible passion and dedication to serving the residents of Orange County, and it has been an honor to serve alongside you.  Increasingly, over the last couple of years, I have been struggling to balance my commitment to this department with personal commitments and family. While it is difficult to say goodbye to many friends, it is important for me now to focus on other priorities.

I have discussed these matters with Acting Sheriff Anderson and he has released me from my commitment to the organization.

I wish you all the best and know this department will move forward in its mission of excellence during this transition.

Acting Sheriff Anderson's message to the department is below:

Effective today, I have released Assistant Sheriff Jo Ann Galisky of her commitment to this organization.

I want to thank her for her 24 years of service to the residents of Orange County.

After 31 ½ years of service to Orange County, I would like to announce my retirement from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, effective February 29, 2008.    I would like to thank all of you, the men and women who make up our great Department, for the opportunity to work with you.   You are truly the finest and have so many things to be proud of. 

I have had a wonderful career, filled with so many extraordinary opportunities and diverse assignments.  I have served three Sheriffs.  When I hired on in 1976, Sheriff Gates brought me into his office, had me sit down with him, and he gave me his vision of what opportunities OCSD would have for me in the next 30 years.  Looking back, he undersold those opportunities.  Thank you Sheriff Gates for the opportunity to serve as an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy.  When Sheriff Carona took over the helm, he continued to allow me to grow and develop.  Thank you Sheriff Carona.   As Sheriff Anderson now has the helm, he too has continued to allow me to work for this wonderful Department.  Thank you Sheriff Anderson.

Throughout my career, I have had many mentors and colleagues (too many to mention) who helped guide me in my career.  There are a few people who I must recognize for their guidance.  Assistant Sheriff Doug Storm, Captain Randy Blair, Capt. George Johnson, Capt. Andy Romero and Lt. Rex Hatch all were mentors and helped me in my career.   Thank you all.

Lastly, I want to thank my family for their love and support. Our family is a family of service and I am so very proud of each and every one of them.  My wife Tina and daughter Heather work at OCSD.  My other daughter, LynnMarie, works for a school district in Orange County and hopes to become a 2nd or 3rd grade teacher in the near future.  My son Daric is in the US Army and preparing to leave for his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq next month.  They have all supported me throughout my career, allowing me to be away from home and enjoying the ride at OCSD. 

I wish you all the very best in your careers and your lives.  My prayers will continue to be to keep you all safe in your daily activities and that you too will enjoy the happiness I found while working for the best law enforcement agency in this country, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of it. 

Below is Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson's message to the department:

Assistant Sheriff Steve Bishop has communicated his desire to retire effective today. He has submitted a letter of thanks, which has been posted on our blog.

Assistant Sheriff Bishop should be commended for his 31 years of service to the residents of Orange County. His contribution to our agency has helped to make the Sheriff’s Department the great organization it is today.

I wish him well in his much deserved retirement – as he begins a new chapter in his life.

Assistant Sheriff Charles Walters will cover Chief Bishop’s responsibilities until I name a replacement.

Professional Service Responder George Ridley was honored by the Orange County Board of Supervisors with the Excellence in Volunteerism Award.

PSR Ridley was chosen from more than 20,000 volunteers for the county government, said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach during the ceremony, conducted at a PSR meeting Thursday at the Department’s Regional Training Center in Tustin. 

 “You sacrifice your personal time, time you could be with your family, time you could be doing other things and actually earning income, but the truth is you volunteer because you want to give back to your community,” Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson said in thanks to the PSRs at the meeting, including 56 who were about be appointed PSRs.

Acting Sheriff Anderson noted that the PSRs last year donated 15,232 hours of time to the Department and that meant a savings to the county of $1,142,400 based on the average savings for a volunteer worker. The reality is that many of the PSRs are professionals; doctors, lawyers and airplane pilots, so the savings is likely much greater.

Chairman Moorlach said the PSRs help give Orange County, “one of the finest Sheriff’s Departments in the country.”

Chairman Moorlach then turned his attention to PSR George Ridley, who takes photographs for the Department.

“George is one of the most active members of the PSRs, with 1015 service hours,” Chairman Moorlach told the gathering.   “In addition to photographing the Medal of Valor Ceremony, the Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony and graduations, he has helped the Terrorism Early Warning Group by taking aerial photographs of all the potential terrorism targets in the county.”

PSR Ridley spent 49 hours in the air on the mission and devoted a total of 128 hours to the project.

The work was challenging, PSR Ridley said in an interview before the ceremony. More...

The game was called “Common Thread”

The two groups of six women huddled together and drew up a list of all the things they had in common. One group found 20 things each had in common, the second group found 38.

It was a familiar exercise for a meeting of Mothers of Preschoolers, a international faith based support group for mothers that has been around for 25-years. The leader at the meeting where “Common Thread” was played was Angel Shahrestani, mother of four boys whose ages range so that she has been raising preschoolers for 20 years.  

What is unique about the meeting, which was held earlier this week, was that it was for the benefit of a dozen women who are incarcerated. The James Musick Facility is the first correctional facility in the country to open its doors to the group. The partnership began in November 2006 and to date it has served 650 women inmates at Musick.

“We’ve all hurt our children being in here but we’re learning that nobody is perfect and everybody needs to be a better parent,” one inmate said of the group’s work at Musick. “Angel is a wonderful person but she’s still learning to be a mother. She’s taught us that it’s always a learning process.” More...

Stuart Pfeiffer talked to Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson last night. Here's the LATimes story:

"Anderson said Wednesday that he had asked county lawyers to research whether he could make the change without negotiating a new contract. He said he was disappointed that the union was reluctant to immediately embrace the proposal.

"Think about it. What did they say? 'We're not willing to realize the savings of tens of millions of dollars to reinvest in public safety because we're going to sit on our hands until 2009,' " Anderson said."

Deputy Rich Reyes usually patrols Laguna Niguel with shined shoes, a freshly pressed uniform and a determination to protect those he serves. 

But on a recent Friday, Deputy Reyes dressed kind of scruffy and began to behave like a bomber committed to blowing up lives and property even at the expense of his own life.

Deputy Reyes was one of several actors used in the Department Bomb Squad’s Active Bomber Course, designed to introduce deputies and police officers in the challenges of responding to a scene and finding a suicide bomber, or homicide bomber, somebody willing to blow themselves and others to make a political point or to carry out a crime.

The goals of the course include:

•  Increase the awareness, knowledge and skills of the street officer to homicide bombings and other person borne bomb incidents.

• Increase the safety of the responding officers to homicide bombings and other person borne bomb incidents.

• Increase the safety of the public during homicide bombings and other person borne bomb incidents.

There has been lots of terrorist bomb training in recent years but too often it has been heavy on history and theory and short on how to handle situations that street officers are most likely to find themselves. More...

Peggy Lowe writes:

"Moorlach’s initial plan was a civilian review panel, but has since been changed to model a Los Angeles County agency called the Office of Independent Review.  It will be comprised of civil rights attorneys who monitor and advise the sheriff’s Internal Affairs Unit."

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson addressed the Board of Supervisors on this issue February 5. Here's the video:

From the Media Release:

Deputy Harrison “Dan” Manhart, a 9-year Orange County Sheriff’s veteran, will be honored by the City Council tonight as San Juan Capistrano’s 2007 Deputy of the Year.

Manhart has served San Juan Capistrano since his assignment to South Operations/Patrol in June of 2005.  His professionalism, motivation and commitment to the city has earned him the respect of his peers, supervisors and community members, said Lt. Mike Betzler, chief of police services.

Manhart serves as a Field Training Officer and patrol deputy. He also serves on the department’s Critical Incident Response Team, a field-based team of highly trained deputies versed in the use of high-powered assault weapons.  Manhart has played a major role in helping to reduce crime in town. His arrest statistics basically tell the story and rank him as a “Top Gun” deputy in San Juan Capistrano, Betzler said.

In the past year, he was responsible for 133 total arrests – 48 were for felonies. In the last couple of years, Manhart has also been instrumental in working to take drunk drivers off of city streets. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) will recognize him again with its “Deuce Award” for his efforts to combat driving under the influence in San Juan Capistrano. 

Manhart has spent hours immersing himself into the community to become familiar with all aspects of the city, patrol areas and residents and business owners. His vast network has allowed him to keep a watchful eye on all types of activities that occur in San Juan Capistrano.

Betzler said that Manhart’s professionalism and dedication to the community is outstanding. More...

From February 13. Three clips:

The first, with Deputy Carla Kerr and Erlina Tulabut:

Next, with Sergeant Michael McHenry and Reserve Deputy Josh Money: More...

Deputy Cruz Alday, a 10-year Orange County Sheriff's veteran was honored last week as Aliso Viejo's Deputy of the Year.

“Deputy Alday’s service and commitment to Aliso Viejo and strong work ethic has earned him the respect of his peers, supervisors and members of the community,” said Lt. Rich Paddock, chief of police services.

The Department assigned Deputy Alday to Aliso Viejo about three years ago and he is a former member of the department’s Special Enforcement Team, which focuses on areas that warrant special attention. He serves on the Critical Incident Response Team, a field-based team of highly trained deputies versed in the use of high-powered assault weapons.   More...

OC Sheriff has a combined weight loss of 168.2 lbs and a combined percent weight loss of 6.52%

Santa Ana Police has a combined weight loss of 228.5 lbs and a combined percent weight loss of 8.73%

Both teams have lost a total of 396.7 lbs so far.

Here's a link to Lindora's Battle of the Badges website.

Dear Mr. Nichols:

I am in receipt of your letter of February 19, 2008 regarding the proposal to employ a new class of correctional employee in the Orange County Jail system.  I fully understand the concerns as stated and want to assure you that they will be addressed.  I believe the involvement of AOCDS and other impacted unions will greatly assist the County and the Sheriff’s Department with the successful resolution of current and future correctional staffing issues. 

To reiterate what was said during our February 7, 2008 meeting with the entire AOCDS Board of Directors, the Sheriff’s Department is facing tremendous budgetary difficulties that are projected to last for several years.  Additionally, operating expenses will spike with the projected expansion of the James A Musick Facility, a necessary undertaking to ensure we can incarcerate criminals who prey upon the good residents of our communities.  The continuing cost of operating our current jails extensively with Deputy Sheriffs, and the construction and operating expenses of future planned jail expansion, place an unbearable fiscal burden upon the taxpayers of Orange County.  While acting as Sheriff, it is my responsibility to ensure the Sheriff’s Department engages in a continuing, comprehensive self-evaluation of how we operate our jails to ensure best practices are being applied and efficiencies maximized.  Realized fiscal savings by introducing a non-sworn correctional employee classification will allow for the sustained safe operation of the jails without having to cut other critical programs and public safety services.  Exploring the use of non-sworn correctional employees in our jails is representative of my duty to explore various options to operate the Department more efficiently without diminishing the quality or quantity of law enforcement services provided to the community.

I have considered the employment of non-sworn correctional personnel in our jails as a primary means of cutting expenses, with preliminary projections suggesting that about $24 to 34 million in annual savings will be realized in existing jail facilities alone.  Such an initiative is also consistent with industry standards.  The vast majority of law enforcement agencies in Southern California employ correctional personnel of varying classifications to work in county or city jails.  The savings realized will allow us to maintain and expand existing patrol services, gang and drug suppression efforts, terrorism early warning, child and sexual predator interdiction, forensics and DNA efforts, and a host of other public safety programs and projects.   

As you are aware, employing Deputy Sheriffs in our jails under the current system will be difficult to sustain with the build out of the Musick Facility.  Currently, Deputies attend a rigorous paid six-month patrol-oriented basic academy and then work for approximately seven or eight years in a jail and/or court facility before being eligible for a patrol assignment.  This operational fact is far from optimal.  The time delay for Deputies to rotate to patrol assignments with the Musick expansion may rise to 15 years, an unacceptable business practice and poor public policy.

The proposal to utilize a non-sworn correctional personnel class is in its infancy stages and no specific plan or model has been decided upon.  Much research and consideration still needs to be undertaken. 

I would like to reiterate my invitation for you and the AOCDS members to work with us collaboratively in this endeavor.  By working together, we can develop a workable proposal that meets budgetary realities while upholding the tradition of professionalism and safety in our jails.

Sincerely,

Jack Anderson
Assistant Sheriff
Acting as Sheriff-Coroner

Finally...here's the video we've been promising...

Once again, thanks to Mrs. Giacoletti for taping the whole thing... including the victory dinner afterwards.

And, if you're wondering why they were fighting, see here. And here.

New opportunities and challenges demand that we constantly reevaluate our operation. Whether we implement new programs and services, collaborate with fellow law enforcement agencies, or work with outside organizations to utilize the best technology and resources, our focus must always be on our mission and whether the changes we implement will help us in exceeding expectations in our service to the community.

Throughout the history of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department we have been steadfast in our mission: To provide professional, responsive and caring law enforcement services to the residents, businesses and visitors of Orange County. Our unwavering focus on this mission has created one of the safest places to live, work and play, and those we serve continue to be satisfied and confident in our work.

Of course, we don’t rest on our laurels. Our ability to be responsive, creative and innovative to the changing needs of the community is essential. We continue to make tremendous strides, joining LiNX, a regional information sharing system; supporting the Office of Independent Review, growing our Cross-Designation program and addressing the operational strain of our growing jails.

Many challenges and opportunities are ahead, but the community we serve can rest assured that the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department remain committed to our role and flexible in our approach.

Thank you for all you do for the residents, businesses and visitors we serve each and every day.

February 15, 2008: 

From Captain Bergquist, OCSD Harbor Patrol: "Julie Deyan is a marine science expert who is currently working with the Orange Coast College Coastal Dolphin Survey Project.  They are conducting a study of dolphin behavior in the Newport Harbor area and she was a ride-along on Tues, Dec 4th with Sgt. John Hollenbeck as he was on one of his regular patrols.  During the patrol, they encountered a significant pod of Risso’s dolphins who appeared to be migrating along the coast at Newport Harbor (initial sighting by Deputy Wray by CDM).  She couldn’t have been more excited!!!"

Here's the "Thank You" from Ms. Deyan:

 

Somewhere Rocky Marciano is smiling.  It was billed as the main event and Deputy Mike "Machette" Giacoletti didn't disappoint.  With a stiff uppercut at the half way point of the second round it was clear that FBI Agent Carlos Narro wanted no more. 

Nicely done Deputy Machette! 

If you missed the fight we will have it up on the blog later this evening.... Thanks to Mrs. Giacoletti who took her video camera with her and let us borrow the disc.

Another thank you to KCAL 9 for this report.

@18:40 RYAN ADDS: I'd like to give my MacBook Pro a stiff uppercut...the video is stuck there until I can figure out how to get it to YouTube. Stay Tuned.

Tonight at 6:00 at the Long Beach Convention Center, Deputy Mike Giacoletti of the Central Justice Center will be taking on Carlos "The FBI Kid" Narro in one of three scheduled boxing matches featuring Peace Officers.  The Boxing card is the highlight of the three-day TREXPO West Conference. 

Here's the link for the Conference.

I am told Deputy Giacoletti was a late addition to the card after one of the other fighters had to be scratched. He didn't even have time to come up with a fighting nickname. 

If you can't make it down to the Convention Center tonight, we should have pictures and if we're lucky some video tomorrow. 

Good luck tonight, Deputy Giacoletti!

On November 7, the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association approved the development of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC). OCIAC has assumed the duties of the Terrorism Early Warning Group (TEWG) and will expand to provide a countywide effort on anti-terrorism efforts, all-hazard mitigation, and law enforcement Terrorism Liaison Officer programs.

This new approach was the product of a countywide collaboration between the Sheriff’s Department and local police. OCIAC will establish county-wide criteria for terrorism liaison officers and set guidelines for information sharing and intelligence assessment. The center will also be responsible for the assessment of critical infrastructure and analysis of crime information, public tips and leads.

OCIAC is currently staffed by members of the Sheriff’s Department, Anaheim Police Department, Garden Grove Police Department, Irvine Police Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Huntington Beach Police Department and the FBI. The Orange County Fire Authority and the Health Care Agency will soon join the center.

OCIAC should be notified of any incident or information relevant to terrorism, including but not limited to:

- International or domestic terrorism
- Possession of explosives, improvised devices or bomb threats
- Photographs containing suspicious items or activities
- Contact with an individual on a terrorism watch list
- Regional crime threats
- Officer safety or threats against government officials

The staff of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (714) 628-3024. The center’s website can be accessed at www.ociac.org. The website contains information on anti-terrorism efforts and also has a link allowing members of the public to contact OCIAC directly with their questions or tips regarding suspected criminal or terrorist-related activity.

The Acting Sheriff sits down to discuss all things OC Sheriff, Friday, February 8, 2008:

In his January newsletter, California State Senator Lou Correa shares pictures of emergency responders. He writes, "Pictures are worth a thousand words.  The following represents a sampling of the many individuals and organizations who played an important and heroic role in fighting last fall's wildfires in Orange County.  I am proud to recognize their outstanding work to protect our community."

Pictured are Orange County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Steve Mitchell and Investigator Chris Dunn:

The Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression Program (RNSP) is a multi-agency task-force currently comprised of thirty-six investigators and four non-sworn support personnel from various local, state and federal agencies.  Presently the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has twenty sworn and four professional staff assigned to RNSP.  RNSP’s mission is to target, investigate and prosecute subjects involved in high-level (major) illicit drug trafficking or money laundering.  

RNSP is an initiative (task-force) in the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (LA-HIDTA).  The LA-HIDTA encompasses the four counties of Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino.  During the past five (5) years, RNSP has experienced an enormous increase in total seizures, arrests, and assets seized.  As a result, RNSP is a leading initiative in the LA-HIDTA. 

During 2007, RNSP maintained this high standard and continued to conduct significant investigations resulting in successful seizures and arrests.  RNSP’s investigators are the backbone of these investigations.  Their continued professionalism, commitment and experience are necessary for these types of intricate investigations. 

While “old fashion” police work drove RNSP, investigators were assisted by recent technological advances that have allowed RNSP to grow.  The procurement of additional equipment including cellular telephones, global positioning satellite tracking equipment, digital cameras, pole cameras that have internet transmitting capabilities, and renovation of the telephone intercept room (wire room) have greatly enhanced the program’s ability to impact the narcotic problem.

During 2007, RNSP expanded its enforcement capabilities with the purchase of a new airplane. The new plane, a Cessna 206T, which complements the existing Cessna 186, will enhance effectiveness, while enabling RNSP’s ability to readily assist other law enforcement agencies throughout the Southern California region.

The reach of RNSP is significant. During 2007, RNSP’s investigations resulted in large seizures of narcotics and assets in areas such as New York, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, Boston and Phoenix.  Locally, RNSP maintains a good working relationship with all federal, state and local agencies. 

The results of the hardworking members of RNSP this past year has been outstanding.  The resulting impact included the following:

The arrest of 109 violators
2602 pounds of marijuana seized
1300 pounds of cocaine seized
1 pound of heroin seized
74 pounds of methamphetamine seized

Proceeds from illegal narcotic trafficking totaling $13,036,964.00 were seized over the course of the year. 

From the Press-Enterprise:

With just a hairdryer and a pingpong ball, pilot Steve Brown had the fourth- and fifth-graders in Menifee jumping out of their seats as they got a lesson in how airplanes fly.

It is not every day that students see objects float in the classroom. Enthralled by what appeared to be a magic trick, the students were lured into learning about how high-pressure and low-pressure air flow around an airplane wing and subsequently how it is that airplanes fly.

Wednesday marked the longtime commercial pilot's second visit to a classroom at Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary School as part of the Adopt-A-Pilot program, sponsored nationwide by Southwest Airlines.

[...]

Brown, 39, said he has worked as a pilot for 20 years. He also volunteers with the Orange County Sheriff's Department as a resource officer for the "aero unit" doing surveillance and search and rescue.

"Generational Shock":

"So it's finally happened. I am now interviewing the grown children of those I know from long ago. It turns out Ken Sr. has retired from the Orange County Sheriff's department -- where we crossed paths a couple times in the last two decades. His son says he's about to take the bar ... launching his second career.

He's still married and there are two grown Still's girls, I am told.

Sounds to me like the local boy made good."

The Los Angeles Times:

The move, which would dramatically change the way Orange County jails are operated, would create a new career path in the Sheriff's Department: employees who are permanently assigned to the county jails. For decades, deputies have spent the initial portion of their careers -- sometimes eight years or longer -- in the jails before moving to patrol or other assignments.

Orange County Register:

Bucking a 50-year tradition of requiring that deputies work in jails for an average of eight years before being assigned to patrol duties, Anderson said the use of correctional officers would create huge savings because they would require less training, and receive less pension benefits than deputies currently staffing the jails.

"It's a tradition that needs to end," Anderson said.

KNX 1070 News Radio:

Orange County's acting sheriff said today the department could save millions of dollars a year if it hired correctional officers as jailers instead of deputies, but a union official said jail safety could be compromised.

Red County blog:

This is an excellent move by Anderson. It saves money and gets deputies out of the jails and out in the streets. Kudos too Anderson.