The first round of testing for the new position of Correctional Services Assistant took place on Saturday.  Sixty-seven candidates passed the written test, physical agility and background prescreening.

Photos by Staff Specialist Paige West

All of the candidates are currently employed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and are in line to be members of the Department’s first CSA Recruit Training Class #1.  Future recruitment will be opened to the public.

The Department’s goal is to have a class of fifty complete nine weeks of training and begin working in the jails in January 2010.  In the future, CSA's could make up about 35 percent of the jail staff. The program is expected to save the Department $10 million a year.

The Correctional Services Assistant will assist sworn personnel with monitoring inmate movement, maintaining order and controlling entry and exit to jail facilities.The Department continues to work with the county Human Resources Department to complete the job of making CSA's an important part of the Department’s team. More...

Letter from the Sheriff

Fifty years ago newly hired Deputy Sheriffs were assigned to work in the Orange County Jail for the purpose of

observing criminal behavior before working the streets on patrol. They rarely spent a full year working in the jail.

That quaint training experiment has grown into our modern day custody operations force that requires deputies to stay

in the jails for up to eight years before they have the opportunity to transfer to patrol and it costs the county millions

of dollars a year.

In the interest of both fiscal responsibility and enhancing the careers of both sworn and non-sworn members of the

department, we have opened recruitment for a new class of department employee, the Sheriff's Correctional Services

Assistant.

This recruitment has been met with a lot of interest and it showcases the fact that, despite the challenges we currently

face, our future is bright.

Thank you for your collaborative and innovative efforts to explore new ways of accomplishing our mission. The press release is below:

"In a move that's likely to save the Orange County Sheriff's Department $10 million a year, Sheriff Hutchens announced the recruitment

for the position of Sheriff's Correctional Services Assistant Trainee. The Correctional Services Assistant will assist sworn personnel with

monitoring inmate movement, maintaining order and controlling entry and exit to jail facilities."

"The Correctional Services Assistant is an extremely important addition to the Orange County Jail system. This new classification of

department personnel will not only assist us in our mandate to provide for the safety and well being of our inmates, but it will provide a

significant savings to our operating budget," said Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. "Just this year we have been required to reduce our budget by

$28 million and next year we're looking at a $60 million reduction. Any savings we can obtain is of great benefit to Orange County

taxpayers."

The initial recruitment is open to current Orange County Sheriff's personnel; however, we anticipate opening this position to individuals

outside the department in the next few months.

The first class of fifty Correctional Service Assistants will attend nine weeks of training and should begin working in our jails in January

2010."

SANDRA HUTCHENS

Sheriff-Coroner

August 21, 2009

The Orange County Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor Association (OCLEEAA) sponsored the 2009 Summer Explorer Academy at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy in Tustin, from August 2nd through August 6th.  The Explorer Academy simulates an abbreviated basic law enforcement academy. There were 198 explorers from throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties who began the academy.  Of the 198, 173 successfully graduated. Orange County Sheriff's Department Explorer Post 449 was strongly represented and proudly watched 47 explorers graduate at the Tustin Academy on August 6th.  Undersheriff John Scott, Lieutenant Paul Fuzzard (Community Service Bureau Commander – Explorer Director) and Sergeant Dan Daniels (Community Services Bureau – Explorer Coordinator) were present at the graduation. More...

A Message on the Department Reorganization
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens 

Our Core Values:

Integrity without compromise;
Service above self;
Professionalism in the performance of duty;
Vigilance in safeguarding our community.

We all continue to feel the effects of these challenging economic times, both in our professional and personal lives.  The Fiscal Year 2009/10 budget approved by the Board of Supervisors requires our Department to cut 28 million dollars from our budget this fiscal year. Based on revenue projections, we must prepare for an additional 60 million dollar cut in fiscal year 2010/11.  When faced with these unprecedented budget cuts, I directed my Command Staff and Division Commanders to “deconstruct” their commands and look at our core functions—those functions that impact our responsibility for direct public safety services.  The decision of who would be laid off was made as a result of what functions could be eliminated and/or combined without directly impacting our core mission.  These layoffs were not based on performance; they were based on the elimination or consolidation of functions and were made solely because of our current financial situation.  

During the past few weeks, I have met with each Assistant Sheriff, Executive Director, and Captain.  The purpose of the meetings was to tell them if they were staying or if they would be laid off.  For me, this has been one of the most difficult and gut-wrenching of tasks.  As I have publically stated, given the budget cuts we have been directed to make, I felt it my duty to preserve the delivery of front-line law enforcement so that the residents of Orange County would continue to enjoy the benefit of our public safety services and not be impacted by our budget cuts.

You will see from the attached Organization Chart that the shape of the Department has been dramatically altered.    I have cut two Assistant Sheriff and five Captain positions. Assistant Sheriff Hillmann with be responsible for Field Operations and Investigative Services. Assistant Sheriff James will be responsible for Custody and Court Services.  Executive Director Dostal will continue to be responsible for Administrative Services Command. 

Of the remaining nine Captains, two will serve as Area Commanders.  The Area Commander will assist their respective Assistant Sheriff with their expanded commands.  Tim Board will serve as the Area Commander for Field Operations and Investigative Services and Jay LeFlore will serve as the Area Commander for Custody and Court Services.

Director Gialamas, in addition to his Crime Lab responsibility, will assume command of Support Services.  Undersheriff Scott will assume direct responsibility for Professional Services Division and I will assume direct responsibility for Coroner and the Crime Lab/Support Services Divisions.I view these cuts as temporary and something that we cannot sustain for more than a couple of years. I fully intend to rebuild the department when the economy improves.In addition to our Command Staff cuts, we are having to impact the lives of 30-40 of our employees either through demotion or layoffs.  This process will be completed sometime in September.

I want to personally acknowledge the tremendous contributions of our personnel who are impacted by these budget cuts.  They have all contributed to the success of this Department and are to be congratulated for their commitment and dedication. Their service and individual contribution to the success of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will not be forgotten.

Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and willingness to go the extra mile to secure the safety of all and to continue the great reputation of community service that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department so richly deserves.  Your actions serve to make me proud every day. It is an honor to be your Sheriff and to serve side by side with you.   My decisions have and will always be based on what is best for the public safety needs of Orange County and the continued success of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  

To view the new Organization Chart click: New Org Chart.pdf (2.15 mb)

To view the old Organization Chart click: Old Org Chart.pdf (1.43 mb)

Like all the classes before them, Class 191 gets to run and run some more. This week the class covered new ground, running through one of the larger-than-life Blimp Hangars at the former Marine base, now the Sheriff's Regional Training Academy.

“First inspection on Black Monday started when the Tactical Team staff marched onto the field in a strict military manner,” said Class 190 President, Irvine Police Officer Joshua Assayag.  “A loud and clear voice proclaimed, ‘the time to prepare is past, the time to perform has begun’.”

Photos by Professional Services Responder Randy Frager

What followed was a regime of training that began early in the morning and continued late into the day, five and sometimes six days a week.

The routine of hard work, discipline and integrity included 50 physical fitness challenges and 43 learning domains, including training in “the law, cultural diversity, community relations, officer safety, health and fitness, ethical decision making and much more,” said Academy Commander Lieutenant Jeff Bardzik. This is the last Basic Academy Class to graduate before Lieutenant Bardzik retires.

“The program is designed to provide a solid foundation for the 19 graduates to have a successful law enforcement career,” Lieutenant Bardzik said.

Class President Assayag said the class became a family, sharing the load and helping one another while helping each other celebrate family achievements and work through personal tragedy. More...

Captain Ron White of South Operations looks at the Sheriff's Department as a family affair, literally. His sons Patrickand Robert started with the Department as Explorers and moved up to be Cadets, Patrick in Mission Viejo and Robert in Lake Forest.

Robert White went on to be a Sheriff's Special Officer and later entered Basic Academy Class 187.

On Monday night, Patrick White was one of 23 graduates of SSO Class 38 who were sworn in as members of the Department.

Captain White came to the graduation as more than a proud father and dedicated member of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. He served as the keynote speaker for the graduation.

The White Family,  Colleen, Deputy Robert, Sheriff's  Special Officer Patrick and the Captain 

Photos by Professional Services Responder Randy Frager

Captain White told the graduates: 

Well Class 38, distinguished guest, family and friends, it is both my honor and privilege to be invited here to speak to you tonight. 

I always enjoy coming to the graduations for several reasons.  One is because the excitement and enthusiasm the class members demonstrate is invigorating.  But most importantly, because these young men and women are the future of this great department.  Of course, this graduation is extra special to me as my oldest son, Patrick, is a member of this class. To the men and women of Class 38 you should take great pride for what you just accomplished.  Each one of you has earned your place here today. 

As the Sheriff mentioned I started in this Department approximately 29 years ago and have enjoyed each and every day.  Now each of you are about to embark on a fantastic career.  So congratulations and welcome to our family.  Speaking of our family-  I would like to take a moment and thank all of the Department personnel who have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us here today.  

To become a Sheriff Special Officer, or SSO as they are more commonly referred, these men and women had to demonstrate and prove that their private lives were untarnished; that they were honest and trustworthy; and deserving of wearing the badge of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  And folks, let me tell you, this is no easy task.  More...

Basic Academy Class 189 graduation was held on Monday at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Regional Training Facility.  Among the new law enforcement officers was Navy Petty Officer Second Class Daniel Alcala.

Petty Officer Alcala is the first to graduate from the academy as part of a new military initiative to help those on active duty transition to civilian life.  He served as the Class Sergeant and missed being ranked as the class’s top performing graduate by just half a point.

Photos by Professional Services Responder Randy Frager

He wore his Navy uniform throughout the training and at the graduation ceremony. The Sheriff’s Academy had graduated some military members in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Those were primarily Marines who served as Military Police at Orange County military bases and used their academy training for military duty .  Petty Officer Alcala, assigned to the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, has plans to leave the Navy and he is now qualified to serve as a deputy or police officer anywhere in California.  Four other graduates were military veterans.  They all served with the Marines.

There were four Sheriff’s Deputies among the 13 graduates: Phong Bui, Rodney Cash, Humberto Nava and Dustin Womack.

Academy Commander Lieutenant Jeff Bardzik had a few words for the graduates. He said in part, “This basic training academy is rooted in law enforcement tradition, principles and the fundamentals of hard work, discipline and integrity.  This program includes instruction in the law, community relations, officer safety, physical fitness, cultural diversity, ethical decision-making and much more. “

He gave a special thanks to former Senior Tactical Sergeant Jon Briggs, who is leaving the academy after 3 ½ years, including six-months working with Class 189.  He is now Lieutenant Jon Briggs, awaiting a new assignment. More...

Photos by Audio Visual Specialist Robert Smith

Academy Commander Lt. Jeff Bardzik opened the Basic Academy Class 188 graduation and told the hundreds gathered there that the program is rooted in law enforcement tradition and principles of hard work, discipline and excellence.

The program includes courses in law, community relations, officer safety, health and safety, cultural diversity and ethical decision making, to name a few.

The curriculum is designed to forge foundations in law enforcement careers, including academic, physical and emotional development.

Photos by Professional Services Responder Travis Frager

Class Chaplain, Downey Police Officer Jose Barajas, offered a few words of spiritual inspiration for class and those who came to honor it. 

“We ask for courage, courage to face and conquer all fears. Courage to take us where others will not go.”

POST Bureau Chief of Training and Compliance Ed Pecinovsky attended the graduation and said:

“You are privileged to have completed your training in one of the finest and toughest academies anywhere.  This program that the Orange County Sheriff and Santa Ana College maintains is a model for other academies to follow.”

He added:

“You should be proud of your accomplishments and secure in the knowledge that you could not have received better training or a better qualified staff. “

Class President  Deputy Nathan Beyer also addressed the class. He said he has come to respect the 18 other recruits who were graduating.

“The truth is we challenged each other, we pushed each other, when one of us fell behind the rest of the class picked him up and brought him back up to speed.”

He added, “The reason I have confidence in the 18 men sitting to my left is because of the training staff that sits to my right.” More...

Basic Academy Class 188 will graduate tonight from the Sheriff's Regional Training Academy in Tustin. On Wednesday the Class participated in the traditional Hot Dog Run at the Huntington Beach Pier. Here are a few pictures of the Run, which took place despite rain and wind.

The Reserve Bureau Inspection took place on January 10 and 209 of the Department's 232 Reserve Deputies turned out for the event.

Reserve Deputies help the Department with such duties as transporting arrestees for booking, working the Orange County Fair and other seasonal events, flying planes, staffing search and rescue operations and providing high tech skills when needed.  

The Sheriff's Department is currently recruiting for the Reserves and those interested are advised to contact the Community Services Division at (714) 566-2711 for information. The Department is also in need of civilian volunteers, Professional Services Responders. Those interested in the PSR program should also call (714) 566-2711.

Photos by Professional Services Responders George Ridley and Randy Frager

View the inspecton video below by Professional Service Responder Kyle Frager

There is alot of bad news out there: from war in the Middle East to financial carnage on Wall Street stretching to Main Street and lots of other awful things we'd rather forget.

Here is our list of stories from 2008 that will make you glad you're with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.  

10. Women’s Running Team Places First in Baker 2 Vegas Run, inspired by the untimely death of their coach, Retired Sheriff's Lieutenant Darrell “Guy” Poncy.

Click: Sheriffs-Womens-Team-is-Tops-at-Baker-2-Vegas-Run

Click: County-Supervisors-Honor-Departments-Womens-Running-Team

9.   The Department Crime Lab Won Prestigious Accreditation and a special acclaim from the Department of Justice.

Click: Coveted Accreditation

Click: Justice Department Kudo

8.  A search team made up of Deputies, Reserve Deputies and Professional Services Responders found a woman who had been missing for three days in Tijeras Creek. 

Click: Searchers Find Woman in Tijeras Creek.

7.  TAGRS Program developed by Department personnel helps nab Taggers across jurisidictions.

Click: TAGRS

6.   Deputies Rescue Woman from Overpass

Click: Rescue 

Click: Heroism Cited

5.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement applauded Department for the Cross-Designation Program that helped prevent illegal immigrants jailed for crimes from returning to further victimize our community.

Click: ICE Credits OCSD Cross Designation Program 

Click: ICE Cross Designation Program Thrives

Click: Five Deputies Join ICE Program

4.  The Saddleback Presidential Forum was the first joint public appearance by Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. It drew hundreds of protestors from both sides but the OCSD kept all peaceful and safe.

Click: Demonstration

3.    Crime rates are lowest in cities policed by Sheriff’s Department.

Click: Sheriff's Jurisdiction Safer

2.  Kidnap victim Ryan Ramos found safe In Juarez, Mexico after all-out effort by OCSD.

Click: Amber Alert for Kidnapped Boy

Click: Aero Squadron Pilot, OCSD investigators retrieve Kidnapped Boy

1. Sandra Hutchens sworn in as Orange County Sheriff

Click: Swearing in Video

Click: Hundreds Witness Swearing In

Click: OCSD Welcomes Sheriff Hutchens

Christmas came early this year to 25 men and women of Basic Academy Class 187 who were sworn as Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers on Tuesday by Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

 Lt. Jeff Bardzik said the accomplishment of the graduates was impressive.

“The instruction included law, community relations, officer safety, health and fitness, cultural diversity, ethical decision making,” and a wide range of other subjects he said. The trainees were shown to be committed to principle, hard work and integrity, Lt. Bardzik said.

Photos by Professional Services Responders Randy and Kyle Frager

Deputy Brad Gonzales, served as Chaplain of the Class 187 and gave an invocation.

“We are thankful for the honor and duty we have been charged with to help others and do good continuously,” he said in part.

There was a show of appreciation for the Tactical Staff and special recognition was given to Deputy Jeff Hallock, Santa Ana Police Officer Garry Couso, and Manhattan Beach Police Officer Ron Walker. The three are being reassigned.

Lt. Bardzik said the academy benefits greatly when outside agencies assign sworn personnel to serve as Tactical Officers. 

Deputy Jeremy Buraglia, served as Class President and he gave a talk to the hundreds of family and friends who came to the graduation.

He made a reference to the fact that Section 187 of the California Penal Code is Murder, with malice aforethought. More...

Recruits of Basic Academy Class 187 turned out for the Traditional Hot Dog run in the midst of Monday's downpour. The runners kept up the tradition and they are all expected to turn out tonight for their Class Graduation.

Strategy, Accountability, Focus and Evaluation are management principles the Orange County Sheriff’s Department plans to utilize more effectively under a new program that will go into operation in January 2009.

When Sheriff Sandra Hutchens came into office in June 2008 she conducted an assessment of Department policies, performance and the organizational culture that had developed over the years.  The core values she found were good ones but the lack of consistency in record keeping, policies and procedures were a concern for both the performance of individuals and units within the Department.

The establishment of the SAFE (Strategy, Accountability, Focus and Evaluation) Program is intended to achieve an improved culture within the Department, one that always strives toward ever improving professionalism, self pride and organizational cohesion.  A dividend to the success of this program will be to reduce risk and liability, assist in employee development and promote problem solving behavior that is consistent with Department goals of serving and protecting the public. 

The SAFE Program will be managed by Lieutenant Mike Hiller and will serve as a catalyst to maintain consistency and a high standard of performance throughout the Sheriff’s Department’s 4,000 men and women working in 20 division commands.

In the future, the Sheriff’s Department will have easy access to statistics for Department wide crime fighting utilization. These uniform numbers will better enable managers to determine crime trends, staffing needs and resource deployment.  The standardization of regulations and policies will provide a better gauge to measure the performance of units and individual members of the Department.

A preliminary SAFE Unit was established in October 2008 following the Sheriff’s assessment of Department resources.  The unit’s members are experienced and understand the importance of policy development, information gathering, joint and inter-agency collaboration, and working with the public.  The SAFE Unit members are familiar with all aspects of the Department and have established themselves as progressive team members who are eager to face the challenges of developing a new and innovative program.

The new program is in large part the product of the project undertaken by consultant Lee McCown. He has an extensive background in law enforcement Risk Management. A similar assessment he conducted for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department contributed to a 35 percent reduction in litigation losses against that Department, with a significant savings to taxpayers. To see the Department Blog story on Lee McCown click here.

Lt. Hiller has most recently commanded the staff at the Central Courthouse where he directed the seemingly impossible task of ensuring the on time daily delivery of hundreds of inmates to dozens of courtrooms and the weapons screening of thousands of jurors and courthouse visitors. During his quarter century with the Department he has served as Academy Commander and he helped form the Terrorism Early Warning Group in 2002.

As SAFE Program Manager, Lt. Hiller will coordinate the tracking of such activities as use of force incidents, traffic accidents, officer involved shootings and citizen commendations of Department members.   These activities will be evaluated and assessed in regularly scheduled forums to allow managers to do trend and event analysis.  The assessment of trends and events within the jails or community will allow each division to manage incidents more effectively and proactively. 

In addition, SAFE will develop and implement an employee review process to provide a fair and responsible system for assessing an employee’s work performance.  Some examples of information maintained include, commendations, complaints, evaluations, etc.  This process benefits the employee as well as his or her current and previous supervisors and ensures the employee remains a productive and effective member of the department. More...

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to receive the County Performance Auditors Overtime Audit of the County Sheriff-Coroner Department at it's meeting next week.

A key finding of the audit was that:

Total overtime hours over the past eight fiscal years increased from 418,861 hours in FY 00/01 to 831,935 hours in FY 07/08, a total percentage change of 99% or average annual increase of 14%. Total overtime costs also increased during this same time from $18.4 million in FY 00/01 to $47.57 million in FY 07/08, an overall 158% increase or an average annual
increase of 23%.

The 89-page audit was followed by a 19-page response by Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. Both documents were made public today with the filing of the Board of Supervisors Agenda for the Oct. 28 meeting.

Sheriff Hutchens agreed with many of the findings and said some changes are already in place and others are in the works. She also said that the overall problem came about because the Department was faced with a choice of lowering standards to hire more deputies or filling vacant positions with overtime.  

To see the entire audit click here.

To see the Sheriff's Response click here:  

Academy Commander Jeff Bardzik welcomed the family, friends and colleagues of Class 186 and said their six months of training had concentrated on three things:

“Hard work, discipline and integrity.”

Class president Deputy Christopher Hunt gave a glimpse of what the training course had been like and what the graduates had learned when he addressed the hundreds who had come to witness the graduation of 32 law enforcement officers.”

Photos by Reserve Deputies Steve Sobodos and Stanley Pesner and Professional Services Responder Randy Frager

“We quickly learned that our most important tools were not attached to our duty belts but rather in our hearts and in our minds,” he said.

“Our first week we learned from the tactical staff orientation lecture that although we may not be a smart class, we sure would be a strong one,” he added. More...

The Orange County Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor Association (OCLEEAA) sponsored the 2008 Summer Explorer Academy at the Camp Pendleton Marine Base, from August 17th through August 21st.   The Explorer Academy simulates an abbreviated basic law enforcement academy. 139 Explorers, from throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties, began the academy and 114 successfully graduated! Orange County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Post 449 was strongly represented and proudly saw 18 Explorers graduate at the OCSD Regional Training Facility, on August 21st. Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson, Captain Brian Wilkerson, Lieutenant Tom Slayton, Post Coordinator Deputy Gary M. Smith, several Post 449 Advisors and many OCSD Explorers were present at the graduation. 

We would like to congratulate the following Explorers from Post 449 for a very impressive showing in special awards:

Best Overall Explorer    Male Physical Agility
Sean Taylor – 2nd Place   Sean Taylor – 1st Place
William Pereza – 4th Place    William Pereza – 3rd Place
Nick Lontajo -  5th Place   

Academics      Best Notebook
Robert Steiner – 1st Place    Nick Lontajo – 1st Place
Kavon Harvey – 3rd Place
Adam Hack – 4th Place   More...

Captains Lee Trujillo (left) and Mark Billings 

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens announced the promotion of two captains and a reorganization of some divisions in the Department.

The two promotions went to Department members of long standing who have helped the Department with skill and dedication throughout their careers.  

For a look at the new organization chart click here: Scan003.pdf (27.09 kb)

Captain Lee Trujillo, a 23-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, has been promoted to Captain and placed in charge of the Department's Investigations Divsion.

He previously had served as Chief of Police Services for the City of Stanton.

Captain Trujillo has held many positions with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, including patrol supervisor for San Clemente and Stanton, sergeant of the Directed Enforcement Team, and watch commander at the Intake Release Center (IRC) and the Emergency Communications Bureau (ECB).  Lt. Trujillo is also a former member of the Sheriff’s Department’s SWAT team and worked narcotics and gang enforcement.  He brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise.

Earlier this year he was awarded the Medal of Merit for his part in the setting up the Department's Cross Designation Program with Immigration Customs Enforcement to identify illegal immigrants incarcerated in the Department's jails.

Captain Mark Billings holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biological Science from California State University, Fullerton and a Masters in Conflict Management from Caifornia State University Dominguez Hills.

He joined the Orange County Sheriff's Department in 1985 and worked Corrections until 1989. He was promoted to Deputy II in 1989 and held assignments in Special Enforcement, Traffic and served as a Field Training Officer. He promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and returned to Corrections until being assigned as a Tactical Sergeant at the Sheriff's Basic Academy. He served at the Academy from 1996 to 2000.

He was made Lieutenant in 2000 and worked Corrections, as a Watch Commander and as the County Mutual Aid Coordinator-Terrorism Warning Group Chair/Commander, Operations Support Division from 2001 to 2002. In 2002 he was assigned as Chief of Police Services to the City of Dana Point and he remained there until 2006. He was named Commander of hte Sheriff's Regional Training Academy in 2006 and served in that position until his promotion to Captain and Command of the newly formed Homeland Security Divison. In 1994 he was named Dana Point Deputy of the Year and was a Gold Star recipient, ACT  and Course Instructor  at the Basic Academy, and trained as a Drug Recognition Expert.

The auditorium was packed when Class 185 marched in from the hallway, the ranks in step, voices loud and in unison; they sent the message that these 35 law enforcement officers were well prepared.

Basic Academy Class 185 graduated Thursday evening, producing 22 new Deputy Sheriffs for the Department. The other graduates were sponsored by the Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Manhattan Beach Police Departments.

Academy Commander Lt. Mark Billings told the audience  at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy what made this class possible.

“The Tactical Staff is the heart of the Training Academy. You’ll not find a more professional nor dedicated group of training officers in all of California. They take inexperienced recruits and mold them into leaders of our community.”

Academy Tactical Staff  

  Photos by Reserve Deputy Steve Sobodos and Professional Services Responder Fred Arnow

The Class President was Officer Michael Harvey of the Costa Mesa Police Department and he also applauded the work of the Tactical Staff.

“I know all of you can appreciate the level of accomplishment we are feeling tonight.  I can confidently say that everyone has earned their way. The training the Tactical Staff gave us was mentally and physically difficult but not impossible.”

He said to the Tactical Staff: “There is no way to thank you for your commitment to our training. We can only do so by representing ourselves as law enforcement officers in our futures. You expect nothing but the best.

Sheriff Hutchens also praised the Tactical Training Officers in her keynote address at the graduation.

“Your instructors were selected because they know the demands of policing; they know who has the skills, character, and, most importantly, the heart to do this job.  They had the courage to do the hard job of deciding who should stay and who was not cut out to wear the badge.  They did their job well and you can be proud that you are here tonight.”

She also praised the families of the graduates.

“ Secondly, I want to acknowledge all of the family and friends who are here to celebrate your great achievement.  I know that you would not be where you are tonight were it not for their unwavering love and support.  Family and friends, this night is also a celebration of your contributions.” More...