Sheriff Sandra Hutchens announced today that Mr. Lee McCown will serve as a consultant to the Department reviewing critical department policies, developing new policies, if needed, and helping create a system to track employee accountability.  

Mr. McCown brings and extensive background in Risk Management and offers a critical “outside” perspective to our operation. He has already begun reviewing our policy manuals and suggesting ways we can reduce risk and liabilities without diminishing the level of service we provide to the public. He performed a similar assessment at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he was able to reduce lawsuits by 35 percent – which translated to a significant savings to taxpayers.  

Mr. McCown also works with American Homeland Solutions, a law enforcement training institution based in Anaheim.  To see the biography of Mr. McCown posted on the AHS Website click here.

Letter from the Sheriff

The Office of Independent Review: Now Open for Business

Stephen J. Connolly began his new role this week as the Executive Director of the new Office of Independent Review. His work will assist us in becoming the premier law enforcement agency in the nation.

I had contact with Mr. Connolly when I was a chief with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Mr. Connolly was a staff lawyer for that Department’s Office of Independent Review. Whether he was monitoring a disciplinary investigation undertaken by my command or reviewing a Department-wide policy change, I was always impressed by Mr. Connolly’s commitment to law enforcement. We did not always agree but when we disagreed we aired our views candidly and each helped the other to do a better job.

Mr. Connolly is moving into the Brad Gates Building and he intends to spend his first weeks on the job familiarizing himself with the Department, our policies and our personnel.  I have granted him unlimited access to the Department facilities. I encourage all of you to welcome Mr. Connolly and help him get to know our Department and the important work we do for the public. First impressions are always important. I ask that you welcome Mr. Connolly into our operation as we work together to make our great Department even better.

SANDRA HUTCHENS

Sheriff-Coroner