Letter from the Sheriff

Department Transformation

Many changes and additions to our operation have been announced over the last few weeks. Just this Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors hired Stephen Connolly to serve as the Executive Director of the Office of Independent Review - an independent office that will review our critical incidents and internal investigations and provide reports and recommendations on our operations. We also recently announced our new Command Staff and are now undertaking an evaluation of our organizational structure.

During this transition and assessment, our priority is to identify ways to make our department operate more efficiently, while enhancing the diverse services we provide to the county. Rumors abound as to what changes will be occurring, but I can assure all of you that nothing has been set in stone. I view this organization as a living one – one that will continue to evolve as we move forward. Over the next few weeks I will be meeting with Division Commanders individually, and I will continue to visit many of our facilities to get feedback and ideas on our strengths and challenges.

I sincerely appreciate your patience and continued focus on serving our residents. I will continue to keep you informed as we move forward.

SANDRA HUTCHENS

Sheriff-Coroner

The Orange Lutheran Church High School is sponsoring the Guy Poncy 5K Memorial for August 23.

Darrell (Guy) Poncy served with the Department for 27 years, including a tour as Commander of the Academy. He was coach for the Department's Women's Running Team after his retirement and died at age 53. He was training for the Vegas 2 Baker run and died on April 15 along a running trail in Orange. He also served as a volunteer running coach for the Orange Lutheran Church High School.

The Department's Women's Running Team went ahead with the race a few days after his death and won first place in their class. The team dedicated their effort to Guy Poncy.

The Memorial run will be hosted by the Block at Orange. It is intended to introduce children to the joys of running and will featrue a 1K and a 50-yard run in addition to the 5K run.

The deadline for registration ranges from $10 to $25 depending on the event. The deadline for early registration is Monday, August 18. flyer

For more information click here.