A message from Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson to the troops: 

For the past twenty weeks I have had the opportunity to lead some of the finest men and women in law enforcement in the 5th largest Sheriff’s Department in the nation. During this time we have confronted many crucial issues, including the release of the Special Grand Jury transcripts and the cultural anomalies that were brought to light from within our agency. Serving our community during this historic transition and working to ensure that public safety remained uninterrupted has truly been a great honor.

We have faced many challenges in the last five months, and many more await our next Sheriff.  I am sure that our next Sheriff will have the support that you so graciously gave to me to achieve the successes we have accomplished as a team.
 
I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for their diligence during this selection process. I remain confident that their hearts are in doing what’s best for the residents of Orange County and for the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
 
Finally, I want to thank all of you for your unwavering commitment to providing quality law enforcement services. I have no doubt that with your dedication and passion our new Sheriff will join the department with the knowledge that our future holds much promise.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors narrowed the field of candidates for Sheriff from nine to two: leaving retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Division Chief Sandra Hutchens and Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters the only candidates now being considered for appointment.

Photos courtesy of the Orange County Register

         Sandra Hutchens                                       Paul Walters               

What follows are links to stories by the Orange County Register and Los Angeles Times about today’s board action. 

The Orange County Register:  http://www.ocregister.com/articles/department-sheriff-carona-2058786-norby-walters

The Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ocsheriff4-2008jun04,0,7460800.story

Here is a link to the announcement by Hutchens that she wanted to be appointed Orange County Sheriff.
http://www.pr-inside.com/sandra-hutchens-announces-candidacy-for-r599673.htm

Here is a link to Chief Walters’ Website.
http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pd/chiefsbio.asp

Here is the report of a Q&A session each of the two remaining candidates gave to the Los Angeles Times. More...