The Orange County Sheriff’s Department was sad to announce the passing of Reserve Sergeant Kendall M. Sanders Jr.   After suffering the prolonged and devastating effects caused by H1N1 virus, Ken passed away on October 22nd, 2009.  While in ICU at Kaiser Hospital in Riverside, Ken’s family and closest friends maintained a steady vigil at his bedside as he fought this battle for almost three months.  With permission from the family, and after discussing all options with Ken’s physician and hospital administrators, Ken was removed from all life support measures.

Ken is survived by his wife Karen and sisters Kathy and Karen.

I’ve been a close friend of Ken’s for the better part of 22 years.  He was “best man” at my wedding and he was the brother I never had.  If you ask anyone who knew Ken, you would consistently hear stories of how he went above and beyond to help anyone in need, no matter the problem, no matter the time.  He always seemed to give more than he received yet he never kept score.  He just did it because he felt joy by helping out not only his friends, but others he hardly knew.

Ken was born on August 14th, 1963 in Terre Haute, Indiana. 

·         He was sworn in as Reserve Deputy Level -III on 1-22-92.

·         Promoted to Level-II on 1-26-93.

·         Promoted to Sergeant on 10-14-2002.

Ken’s most recent assignment was Investigations Reserve Unit, where he was assigned to Special Investigations.  Other assignments include:

·         The Special Enforcement Team for the city of San Juan Capistrano.

·         The mounted unit.

Just in the past four years alone Ken donated almost 2,000 hours of his own time.  Over the course of his 18 years of service to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the citizens of Orange County, Ken has donated thousands more.  All of this was in addition to his regular full time job.

Ken was also a county employee, working at John Wayne Airport, as a “Shop Planner”.  His responsibilities required him to arrange construction projects, locate and hire construction personnel and order the materials required to complete these projects.  At the airport Ken’s affable spirit and winning personality earned him many loyal and steadfast friends.  Several of these friends were at Ken’s side even in his final hours.

Ken was not only a gun owner, he was a gunslinger, who loved horseback riding and visiting Tombstone Arizona.  He also loved Starbuck’s coffee, by the gallon, and good cigars… usually not more than one at a time.

Ken’s love and friendship will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

With Respect,

Dominic Montalbano

The Orange County Sheriff's Department Women’s Team captured 1st place in the 5K Women’s Law Enforcement Division in the 10th Annual Lupus Race for Life run on October 4 at LaMirada Regional Park.

They were well represented by, Denise Herstch, Susie Briggs, Jacquelyn Martinez, Jesicka Contreras and Susan Edwards.  Denise Herstch placed 1st and Susie Briggs placed 2nd in the Law Enforcement Individual 5K competition. More...

Three Reserve Deputies were among 14 reserves who graduated last week with Class 16R from the Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy in Tustin.

They were Reserve Deputies Michael Lee, a high school teacher and tennis coach, Darren Smith, an information specialist for the County of Orange and Kevin Wang, creative director for a holding company.

Class 16R takes oath as law enforcement officers

Photos by Professional Services Responder Randy Frager

Reserve Deputy Lee was selected as Class Chaplain and he offered a prayer before the hundreds of family, colleagues and supporters of the graduates.

“We entered this program as individuals and sit together tonight as brothers and sisters,” Class Chaplain Lee told those gathered. “Thanks for family and friends who supported us through this long and challenging process. Thank you for our instructors who have given their time unselfishly to teach us, shepherd us and mentor us. We also give thanks for our Academy Tactical Staff who since day one have been training and mentoring us to be the best possible police officers we possibly can. 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)

A team of Reserve Deputies and Professional Services Responders working a Search and Rescue detail in Coto de Caza were credited this week with finding an unconscious jogger near a trail.  He had been missing for more than 17 hours.  

The team began the search at the Coto de Caza Golf Course at 11 p.m. on July 15 after a search by Deputies and a helicopter had been called due to darkness and fog.

Sergeant D. Hanson, Reserve Deputy Al Lenning and K-9 Sonsee took up the search and were joined at 3:45 a.m. by Reserve Sergeants M. Losquadro and S. Chenot Reserve Deputies A Lenhard, D. Kemp, S. Chan, PSR's B. Clark, J. Chun, L. Bumanglag, C. Duncan, K. Adams and A. Phillips.

The effort turned into a full-unit callout.  Deputies and PSR's deployed to search for the missing male believed to have gone jogging in the area.  Patrol deputies previously searched; DUKE unable to provide much assistance due to heavy fog.  SRRU deployed to search trails in the area immediately east of the golf course/clubhouse area.  Fielded 3 teams. 

Subject found approx 0900 hours in area being searched by one of our field teams.  Subject found in serious medical distress by Dep. Lenhard and PSR Chun.  OCFA dispatched and deployed to scene in SRRU 4x4 vehicles.  Subject received on-scene medical attention and was evacuated.

Undersheriff John Scott was the keynote speaker Thursday at the Module II Academy Class 6R graduation at the Orange County Sheriff’s  Regional Training Academy.

There were 39 graduates in the class, including 17 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs.  Reserve Deputy Sheriff Sergio Kopelev was both the Class 6R President and the graduate honored with the Outstanding Officer Award.  Other graduates were affiliated with the Garden Grove and Claremont Police Departments and with Santa Ana College.

Captain Catherine Zurn told those at the graduation that Reserve Deputy Kopelev maintained a grade average of 98.6 over 14 weeks of training. Reserve Deputy Sammy Chan served as the class honorary historian.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens has hailed the Reserves for their service to the Department, which saves the county about $7 million a year.

Class 6R received academic training in courses that included criminal law, laws of arrest, search and seizure, ethics and community policing.  Instruction also covered firearms, arrest and control techniques, first aid, use of force, report writing and use of less than lethal weapons.

All of the training was administered in an environment of moderate stress supervised by the Department’s Academy Tactical Staff.

Undersheriff Scott said of the graduates, “Our graduates come to us with a rich diversity of backgrounds, ranging from a short-order cook, to a company president.  We also have an attorney, an accountant, an art sales broker, a construction worker, a court reporter, an engineer, an entrepreneur, a heating and air conditioning installer, a plumbing contractor, police cadet, secretary, student, and a retired software developer. That pretty much covers the gamut.Three of our graduates are military veterans, eight have master’s degrees and one has a doctorate.  Three came to us by way of a GED. Six are 25 or under and six are 48 or over. Thirteen are bilingual and 20 plan to continue to Level I Reserve training. Thirty-eight are male and one is an undaunted female.

It is this diversity that makes us strong. It gives us a broad spectrum of life experience to help us deal with whatever challenges we are faced with; the unpredictable."

Undersheriff Scott noted that the Reserves come from a long line of those the Department has depended upon, including the posses and volunteer home guard company of the 1800’s and the Sheriff’s Emergency Reserves of World War II and the Aerosquadron, formed in the late 1940’s. Module II Academy Class 6R was the first Level II Reserve Class graduated since February 2006 and it is one of the largest classes at that level ever graduated by the Department.

"The graduation will mark a new era in their law enforcement careers," Undersheriff Scott told the graduates.“As a Level III Reserve you were used primarily for such duties as traffic control, parade security, report writing, evidence transportation, but not likely in duties that resulted in an arrest,” he said. “Now you may be called upon to serve as second person in a radio car, perform bike patrol, help serve warrants, or be part of a surveillance team, or even be called out to respond to a riot. 

Level II Reserves work in crime prevention and the general enforcement of laws. Now, you will be given assignments where making arrests are part of the job.   You will work under supervision of a Level I Reserve or a regular Deputy or Police Officer and at times you may be called upon to supervise Level III Reserves.”

The Undersheriff concluded his remarks with a welcome to the graduates.“Walk out of here tonight proud.  Proud of the training you’ve received.  Proud of the badge you wear. Proud of the service you provide. And proud to be part of this noble and time-honored service to Orange County.Congratulations to each of you, and welcome to the ranks of Level II Reserves!”

Sheriff Hutchens administered the oath to all 39 of the graduates. 

Earlier this week Board of Supervisors Chair Pat Bates wrote a commentary piece in the Orange County Register saying that the county budget crisis will force massive cuts in the Sheriff's Department.  Sheriff Sandra Hutches wrote a reply, published today in the Orange County Register's Opinon section, spelling out the measures the Department has taken to reduce costs and a plan for bringing federal revenue to the county to help keep public safety services at the level needed in Orange County.

Here is the rebuttal as it was published.

Reader Rebuttal: county budget
Reader Rebuttal to Chairwoman Pat Bates' column, "Delaying pain would hurt
more," Orange Grove, June 16, 2009
By SANDRA HUTCHENS
Orange County sheriff


The Orange County Board of Supervisors has taken many fiscally prudent steps
to address the growing budget challenges we have faced over the last year. I
commend them for their leadership. I would like to share some of what the
Sheriff's Department has done to address our budget shortfalls because,
while we still face a deficit, I am proud to say that we are poised to
finish this fiscal year about $20 million under budget.

Chairwoman Pat Bates' column in the Register ["Delaying pain would hurt
more," Orange Grove, June 16]states, "The Sheriff's Department is faced with
making $45 million in reductions." Our actual reductions add up to about $53
million when you include the $7.4 million in cuts that we are making and not
asking the county to restore. These cuts included eliminating hospital
security for outside agencies' arrestees, reducing maintenance of our
facilities, deferring equipment purchases, reduced helicopter flight time
and a reduction of 38 positions.

While we appreciate the board's restoration of $25 million, a number of
options have been suggested to close the $20 million gap that remains,
including eliminating vacant positions, reducing administrative nonsworn
staff, managing overtime, reducing vehicles and reducing overhead for our
contract cities - all of which we are already implementing.

Over the past year, we eliminated 67 vacant positions and cut 150 extra help
positions. We reduced overtime by 18 percent, cutting 6,000 hours of
overtime from each two-week pay period as compared with the previous year.
Additionally, we have closed 360 jail beds at the James A. Musick Facility
and, as we introduce the correctional services assistant (a civilian
classification) into our jails, we will further reduce the cost of managing
our jails.

The use of professional (nonsworn) staff is essential to our operation and
in most instances contributes a substantial cost saving when compared to
staffing the same position with a uniformed deputy. When you dial 911, your
call is answered by a nonsworn employee. The dispatcher who sends a deputy
to your aid is also nonsworn. Nonsworn personnel respond to crime scenes to
gather evidence, they staff the crime lab and the coroner's office, and they
analyze crime reports and manage the offices so our sworn personnel can be
out in our communities.

Administrative management represents 1.7 percent of our workforce. With the
addition of law enforcement management (captains and lieutenants) it's 3.5
percent - still lower than other county agencies.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we utilize a variety of
volunteers to augment the great work of our deputies and civilian personnel.
Last year, our reserve deputies and professional service responders
performed work that would have cost the county $7 million.

I have proposed to the board that we take advantage of a recent decline in
our inmate population to enter into an agreement with Immigration and
Customs Enforcement to house ICE detainees for a fee. Revenue generated
would help us avoid significant cuts to our core services. On Tuesday, I
plan to again ask the Board to reconsider my request for $7 million to see
us through finalization of our agreement with ICE. As sheriff, it is my duty
to maintain public safety, and we cannot absorb cuts of this magnitude
without a significant impact on the superior quality of life we enjoy in
Orange County.

Professional Service Responder Crime Prevention Unit

The North Patrol Bureau has joined forces with the Community Services Division to create the Professional Service Responder (PSR) Crime Prevention Unit.   This unit is made up of several dedicated men and women from the Professional Service Responders Bureau.  These dedicated professionals have spent the last several months attending Crime Prevention Training to prepare them for this assignment.  

The  Director of  the Department’s Crime Prevention and Volunteer Programs, Janet Sener, has  been instrumental in providing these volunteers with the knowledge and ability to provide a much needed service to the approximately 90,0000 residents that live in the North Unincorporated Areas of the County.

The PSR’s will be attending Neighborhood Watch meetings in the community and providing residents with Crime Prevention Tips and information on the benefits of Neighborhood Watch, along with information on what is occurring in their communities as it relates to Law Enforcement.

The PSR’s will be working hand in hand with the Deputy Sheriffs that patrol the unincorporated areas of North Orange County to provide an important aspect of community policing to the public. 

Reserve Deputies and Professional Services Responders were given a tour of Marine Operations on Wednesday.  The Marine Operations Reserve is looking for some new members and about 30 prospective volunteers showed up to hear what it takes to patrol the waters. Reserve Deputies briefed the potential volunteers on the facilities, equipment and craft used by the Department to patrol three harbors and 43-miles of coastline.

Reserve Captain Jay Wasserman was interviewed by Mari Frank on KUCI Radio.

To listen to the broadcast click the icons below.

The May 19 Election Day set in motion a major undertaking by the Department, which is responsible for taking the ballots from collection points around the county to the Registrar of Voters warehouse in Santa Ana where they are counted.

Photos by Staff Specialist Ligia Macovei

Robert and Lt. Fuzzard,
 
On behalf of my entire department I would like to extend my thanks to the men and women of the OCSD Communications Division and Reserve Operations for your help on Election Night.  The May election, while lower in turnout, required the same preparation on our part as well as your extensive involvement and support. 
 
Over the past few years Orange County has grown to lead the nation and is setting standards for professionally run elections.  This would not be possible without the outstanding (and I mean that sincerely) dedication each of your team members showed during the pre-election planning and execution on Election Night.
 
I am proud to work in partnership with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
 
Neal Kelley
Registrar of Voters
County of Orange

Robert is Robert Stoffel, Director of the Communications Division. The Communications Division has been involved in transporting election night ballots since before the Orange County Bankruptcy when the division was part of the General Services Division.

Ballot Transportation Manager Marten Miller, who most of the year works as Emergency Communications Manager, has been coordinating the ballot transport for several years.

He said that this election day there were 140 Sheriff’s Department members involved in the effort. They included truck drivers from the Communications Division, Reserve Deputies who provide security for the trucks and the voter tally stations and ham radio operators, members of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. The RACES volunteers provide emergency communications to all 23 ballot collection stations around the county.

The drivers and Reserve Deputies staffed 43 trucks for the night. Each truck is outfitted with a radio for the transport. Every effort is taken to have the ballots moved in a timely fashion, including having a tow truck on standby in case of a mechanical breakdown.

The county staffed 932 voting precincts for the election.

The 2009 Imperial Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Competition was held in the City of El Centro, California from April 16 through April 19, 2009.  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department was represented by ten Explorers from Post 449:

Lt. Lex Ogan                       Cpl. Evelyn Gomez

Lt. Jake Montes                Sgt. Garrett Eggert

Sgt. Jake Harper               Sgt. Grant Lattimore

Exp. Magali Garcia           Cpl. Travis Boenker

Cpl. Danielle Balszak       Exp. Yazmin Marin

The Explorers were accompanied and supervised by Dep. Bill Simandl, Dep. Rick Fassel and Dep. Sherri Gilman.  All Explorers were mature and professional, which made supervision easy.

The Competition was comprised of more than 100 Explorers and 30 Advisors from 19 different agencies from throughout the Southwestern United States.  The competition events included: 914A Response, Search Warrant Service, Active Shooter, DUI Stop, Tubular Assault, Felony Stop, Tactical Air-soft, Volleyball, Marijuana Field Raid, Pistol Range, 5k Run, Male/Female Obstacle Course, Bicycle Course, Tug-a-war and Fire Arms Training Simulator. Station 18  brought home the following trophies:

Team trophies were for:

1st Place 914A Response

1st Place Tubular Assault

3rd Place Active Shooter

4th Place Fire Arms Training Simulator

4th Place Pistol Range4th Place Marijuana Field Raid 

Individual trophies went to:

2nd Place Male Explorer 5k, Jake Harper

5th Place Female Explorer 5k, Yasmin Marin

1st Place Female Advisor 5k Deputy Sheri Gilman

Explorer Post 449 would like to give special thanks to the following:  

Marilyn McDougal and the Sheriff’s Advisory Committee for paying for the Explorer’s Hotel Rooms

Deputy Christopher Ledbetter, Deputy Michael Perez for their assistance with training.

Karen Giudice, Kathy Panque, Cherlyn Bullington, Patty Reichardt and Cadet Alex Wong for their assistance in preparation for this event.

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S PATROL CHAPLAINS-A MINISTRY OF PRESENCE

By Rich Atkinson, Assistant Chief Senior Chaplain 

The tragic events in Oakland and Pittsburg, PA this year have left a deep scar on the hearts of those serving within these Police Departments, the citizens of these two communities, and the entire public safety community as a whole. The tremendous loss is felt by us all. These horrific events, like many other critically stressful incidents encountered by law enforcement personnel each day comes with excruciating grief. This deep pain, if left to heal without God’s direct intervention, will leave a festering wound which could have a perilous impact on many of our public safety brothers and sisters for years to come. The chaplaincy of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department exists so that the first responders and staff of our agency have a trained and confidential member of the clergy to share the normal emotions that result in the aftermath of critical incidents that our co-workers deal with each day.

Patrol chaplains stand ready to work side-by-side with deputies and investigators to provide comfort to the victimized residents you meet each day. Whether it is during a ride-along with patrol deputies, or through a phone call-out from field personnel via  dispatch, ministers are available to respond to any type of law enforcement related crisis or incident 24/7. 

Additionally, no member of the OCSD family should ever feel alone during difficult times. Your Patrol Chaplains are also here to provide no cost, confidential, professional level, spiritual counseling and care to the members of our Department. Through this ministry of presence, the impact of the infectious stressors we all experience can be minimized to make sure that unexpressed concerns do not take a lifelong or life-changing toll on the members of our Department or their families. 

To speak confidentially with a Patrol Chaplain please feel free to personally reach out to one of our many trained and ordained clergy, or contact us by leaving a message on our password protected voicemail at (949) 361-8387.   

Your OCSD Chaplains are proud to serve the members of our Department and stand ready to assist you in caring for the residents of Orange County or being a safe confidant for our co-workers who may need an encouraging word. 

At the Department’s Tustin Regional Training Academy on April 2, 2009, 35 New Professional Services Responders were appointed by Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.
Professional Service Responders come from all walks of life. Some are business owners, corporate executives, retirees, teachers, doctors or lawyers.

The most recent group includes anesthesiologist, an architect, retired university professor, an emergency room doctor, Chief Financial Officer, retired police officer, retired DA Investigator, and a Legal Assistant.

Photos by Professional Services Responders Randy and Kyle Frager

The Professional Service Responders will be assisting the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in a number of non-law enforcement related duties. Many have already been attending meetings with the Search and Rescue unit which is made up entirely of volunteers. Some expressed an interest in working in the newly formed Crime Prevention Unit, conducting Neighborhood Watch programs in the unincorporated areas of North County.

 Some will work at the John Wayne Airport as a travelers’ liaison, assisting travelers with baggage and questions about the airport. They are also an extra set of eyes on the lookout for suspicious activities.

A few will work in the High Tech Reserve Unit taking pictures and videos of Sheriff Events, including Academy Graduations and the recent Explorer Awards Ceremony.
Professional Service Responders will work with the Harbor Patrol conducting boater safety classes.

Community Programs uses the PSR’s at their functions to educate the public about the many services the Sheriff’s Department has to offer.
Our PSR’s assist the Bomb Squad with repairing and servicing their equipment. They also assist with Disaster Drills, Mounted Enforcement Training and in Recruiting on Saturday morning for the testing of new hires.

Fifty years ago, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department helped establish Explorer Post #449, the nation’s first law enforcement Explorer Post.

It was set up by Sheriff James A. Musick to help introduce the best high school students to careers in law enforcement.

Last week the top performers of Post #449 were honored at the annual award dinner.

The dinner was held on March 26, 2009 at the Regional Training Facility in Tustin.  Post 449 also celebrated their 50th Anniversary as the First Law Enforcement Explorer Post in the Nation.  The Explorers worked in excess of 21,000 hours at 261 events throughout 2008.  These events occurred in Every Contract City and Sheriff’s Unincorporated patrol area as well as mutual aid events with other Police Explorer Posts throughout Orange County.  Of the 182 Explorers who worked events in 2008, the following received special recognition:

Retirements: After an Explorer turns 21, or leaves for Military Service, they receive a retirement plaque indicating the years of service.  Explorer Captain Yanira Rojo – 2004-2009, Explorer Lieutenant Jessica Ortega 2004-2008 and Explorer Lieutenant Alex Wong 2006-2009.  More...

Paula Hansell, who faces a high-risk liver operation, harbored a long time desire to see a real Bloodhound in action. Mrs. Hansell, a fan of the Virginia Lanier series of Bloodhound themed crime novels, got to see the Sheriff's Department's most highly acclaimed Bloodhound, Taffy. Taffy, handled by Reserve Lieutenant Doug Williams, was recognized this year as the Search and Rescue Dog of the Year by the American Kennel Club.  

To read the Orange County Registers story on the meeting of Taffy and Paula Hansell, click here.

KCAL News Reporter Dave Lopez had this report on the event:

To take a look at the latest newsletter of the California Emergency Management Agency Search and Rescue Canine Mutal Aid click: 2009 March Newsletter.pdf (709.19 kb)

Some parents may figure there are so many dangers on the Internet that it is no place for their children.

The trouble with that belief is that teenagers are typically more computer savvy than their parents and the youngsters may go on the Internet without the knowledge of Mom or Dad.

There is an alternative to a total ban on use of the Internet or unfettered access.

The alternative is called NetSmart.

That is one of the key messages delivered to parents in presentations made regularly at local schools by the Orange County Sheriff’s Deparments Hi-Tech Reserves.  

The team of Reserve Sergeant James Ellis , Reserve Deputy Josh Money, Reserve Deputy Brian Lettieri and Professional Services Civilian Responders John Carlyle and Lloyd Bumanglag are committed to protecting youngsters from the dangers of the Internet.

They teach that the Internet is a place where unsupervised youngsters may find trouble from:

Sexual Predators

Cyber bullies

Identify Theft

Hackers

Piracy

Social Networks 

The team is a busy bunch. This month they scheduled five presentations to parents at five different schools to parents as part of their volunteered time to the Department.

They talk about such Internet sites as MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Craig’s List. The team also covers concerns with online gaming. More...

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of San Diego teenager Amber Dubois drew the attention of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. A contingent of the Department's Search and Rescue Reserve Unit joined other searchers last week in trying to find the missing girl.

Here is a newscast on the search and effort to find the girl:

A Blood Drive is underway for the benefit of Professional Services Responder Brian Clark, of the Search and Rescue Reserve Unit.

He was involved in a collision over the weekend and is in the hospital in Templeton, California. He has needed several blood transfusions and his family has requested a blood drive in his name. At this time, this is the only request from the family.

The blood drive will be on March 18, 2009. The details are below.

Also, if the 18th is not good, there are other drives in the community; but please have them email Dr. Kenneth Cheng dr.kenny@cox.net to let him know they participated in another drive.  This way we can track all who donated.  It would be great to be able to tell Brian the total count of blood donations. One of the blood drives is at the Sheriff’s Academy in Tustin on Sunday, March 15, 2009.

Thank you all in advance for your assistance!

When asking, “What can we do to help ,” the only thing that Laura requested was for us to give blood. Brian has used 13+ units of blood and platelet's.

Brian Clark Blood Drive

When:
March 18th
Wednesday
Noon to 6:00

Location:
Tustin Hospital
14662 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA. 92780
Tel. 714. 669-5881

Sign Up:
Please open this following link and make your reservation:

http://www.givelife.org
Sponsor code: THMC

* The Red Cross can handle 3 to 4 people at a time, every 20 minutes. It is imperative that, with the limited amount of spaces available, everyone signs up via the e-donor registration.  If  anyone is having difficulty, please have them call me and I will be happy to help get them signed in. You can reach Dr. Kenneth Cheng at (949) 533-4322.

Overflow:
Everyone wants to help but with the limited amount of reservations available, people can also give blood at the following blood drives that are also running during this upcoming week:

Sunday March 15th, 10:00 to 4:00
Sheriffs Academy
15991 Armstrong
Tustin CA. 92782
code:  ocrsta

Monday March 16th, 1:00 to 7:00
B’nai Israel
2111 Bryan
Tustin, CA.  92780
code: B’nai

Monday March 16th, 9:00 to 3:00
Orange County Fire Authority
1 fire authority road
code: ocfa

*If you are out of the Orange County Area and wish to locate a place to give in your area, please visit http://www.GiveLife.org

Fire struck the home of Professional Services Responder Mike Reynolds this month. Reynolds was long active as a fundraiser for PROJECT 999, which provides financial assistance to the families of officers killed in the line of duty. He and his family were out of town when the fire destroyed their home but it wiped out the belongings of a lifetime. Department members rallied to his aid and he appreciates that gesture. He wrote the following note to those who helped his family and included some pictures of the fire.

To read about the fire in the Orange County Register click here.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the OCSD: 

I wanted to send you out a note to first let you all know that my family and I are doing well. We have relocated in Orange County, and are settling back into some form of routine, thank you to all of those who continue to call to ask for updates, and those who pray for us daily, keep on praying we need it. 

I just wanted to express my gratitude to all of the OCSD personnel for their amazing outpouring of support , and specifically those of you who physically took time out of your day to come by the day of the fire, I can not tell you how much knowing there was a great group of people behind me at a time when you feel completely alone meant to me and my family. 

We are a family of strong constitution and even stronger faith, and know that everything in our home is just stuff, and that family, friends, and even strangers with kind hearts are what is most important.  I have included some photos of the fire, that we fortunately never saw in person having been out of town, but it is incredibly humbling to see the destruction that fire brings. Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts. 

The Reynolds Family 

Friends,   I owe a great many of you a great deal for all the support and help with training Taffy and encouraging me!

     Last week on Animal Planet the 2008 Eukanuba National Championship was shown.  Taffy and I were not competing in the dog show, but we did receive an ACE (Achievement in Canine Excellence),  award in the Search and Rescue category.  It is a huge honor and I realize I owe a great deal to many many people for all the help and support.    The ceremony was about 10 minutes as each dog was introduced and the owner / handler received a sterling silver medal for their dog.  I have the segment recorded from my tivo.  Only about two minutes was actually shown on TV.  The two minutes segment is like 18 MB in size!!  I managed to convert it down to about 8 MB but the quality is starting to get fuzzy.  I was told at the ceremony there would be a DVD made of the event but as of now this video clip from Animal Planet is all we have.  I tried to send the big 18 MB file yesterday but I don't think it went through???  So hopefully this 8 MB will get through some of the servers.  As many of you know due to age Taffy is semi retired now.  She has had a great career!

Thanks for all the support!

Doug & Taffy

This is a report from Reserve Deputies Scott Klappenback and Jim Wharrie, who with their K-9 partners Roan and Mona augment the Department’s K-9 coverage, especially in the City of Lake Forest.

Reserve Deputy Scott Klappenback & K-9 Roan

Reserve Deputy Jim Wharrie & K-9 Mona

The 2 reserve teams, Reserve Deputy Scott Klappenback & K-9 Roan and Reserve Deputy Jim Wharrie & K-9 Mona have been assigned to the City of Lake Forest for the past 5 years. The two reserve K-9 teams provided patrol and narcotics K-9 coverage on every Friday and Saturday night throughout 2008. 

The statistics outlined below summarize the 2 Reserve K-9 Teams collective accomplishments in 2008:

• 109 Patrol shifts completed (1,153 total patrol hours)
• Participated in over 832 hours of formal K-9 Section training, including monthly evaluations and annual narcotics certification
• Responded to 13 Off-Duty Call Outs for K-9 narcotics searches
• Conducted 6 K-9 demonstrations for the community
• During routine patrol responded to a total of 582 calls for service

Of the 582 total calls, 232 (40%) were K-9 narcotic detection or evidence search deployments with the following results:

* 70 (30%) resulted in a narcotic related arrest (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, opium)
* 121 (52%) resulted in a narcotic “alert” without an “arrestable” quantity of narcotic present (confirmed residue, debris, paraphernalia or odor present)
* 35 (15%) resulted in no “alert” but significantly increased thoroughness of search while reducing the consumed search time for the patrol deputy
* 6 (3%) resulted in an unconfirmed alert (unable to substantiate presence of narcotics)

• The reserve teams conducted K-9 narcotics detection and evidence searches for Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita , San Clemente , San Juan Capistrano, Stanton, North & South Investigations, GET, Narcotics Interdiction Unit, Garden Grove, Laguna Beach, DEA and California Highway Patrol

The conclusion of 2008 also marked a significant milestone for the 2 reserve K-9 teams. At the onset of this “trial” project we were each asked for a five year commitment to the K-9 team. We have now been deployed in patrol for 5 years working shifts every Friday and Saturday night in addition to K-9 demos, call outs, special assignments, K-9 section training and other reserve bureau obligations. After reviewing our years of cumulative records, the following highlights our combined contributions to the K-9 section, City of Lake Forest and the Sheriff’s Department:

• Completed over 544 patrol shifts (5,464 hours)
• Responded to more than 3,000 calls for service of which 808 (27%) were K-9 related deployments resulting in 280 narcotic related arrests in addition to recovered evidence from K-9 article searches (weapons & stolen property)
• Participated in 39 K-9 demonstrations for the community
• Completed over 5,499 hours of weekly K-9 section training, monthly evaluations and annual narcotics certification

Over five years ago we were offered a unique opportunity that level 1 reserve deputies in our department had not previously been able to participate in. We feel privileged to have been the first two afforded the chance to become members of the OCSD K-9 section and hope our results were worth the investment.  We want to thank all those who helped us along the way. We appreciate the continuing support and guidance we have received during the past 5 years from the entire OCSD K-9 section, Community Services Division, and the Sheriff Department’s personnel in the City of Lake Forest.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita have both commended the Sheriff's Reserve Bureau Search and Rescue Unit for the October 2008 rescue of Sirpa Lee, who was injured and unable to get out of a hidden ravine for three days.

Reserve Captain Steve Riches (left) and Lieutenant Chuck Wilmot, Chief of Police Services for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita

Photo by Reserve Deputy Steve Sobodos

To see the commendation from the City of Rancho Santa Margarita click: RSM rescue commendation scan0001.pdf (69.13 kb)

To read the Blog story on the Sirpa Lee Rescue click here:

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

Updated with Award Photo 12/17/08 

The American Kennel Club took note this weekend of what many of those Department have known for a long time: They don't come any better than Taffy.

It was at the AKC's annual show, the one dog professionals pay heed to and the rest of us catch on television when channel surfing. Taffy was selected in the national competition and came out on top.

Taffy is now semi-retired but has been working with the Department for many years. She still goes out to track lost children, disoriented adults and fleeing suspects when there is a need for the services of her and her handler, Reserve Lieutenant Doug Williams.  

Here is what the AKC said about Taffy in their press release on the honor bestowed on Saturday night at the show held in Long Beach:

Taffy, an 8-year-old Bloodhound, is a faithful civil servant, who uses her skills as a scent hound by saving the lives of others. Taffy and her owner, Reserve Lieutenant Douglas Williams, volunteer for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) near Los Angeles, where Lt. Williams is the Supervisor of the Search and Rescue K9 Operations Unit. Taffy kept her community safe by helping to find lost children, Alzheimer’s patients who wandered off, and criminals on the run. She has worked on over 115 documented cases for the police, providing credible information that helped solve crimes. �Taffy has had 12 walk-up finds of lost persons or criminals to her credit, a remarkable number for a search and rescue dog.

She travels with Lt. Williams across Southern California and five other states to assist law enforcement agencies and civilian search and rescue groups in training dogs. Taffy also serves as an advocate for the community and as the face of the OCSD Search and Rescue unit. She has attended over 20 community parades, visited schools for presentations with Lt. Williams, and helps raise students’ awareness about the dangers of drug use, gangs and strangers. She also has participated in numerous Boy and Girl Scout events. An ambassador for the American Bloodhound Club and Bloodhounds West, she appeared in numerous "Meet the Breed" booths, including the one at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

To see some of the runner-ups who competed click here. Scroll down to Search and Rescue. The runner-up dogs are lower on the Webpage.

To see the Department Blog story that ran when Taffy was first selected for the honor, click here.  That Blog story has links to even more awards that have been received by Taffy and Reserve Lieutenant Williams.

Taffy and Lieutenant Williams have received many awards. To see some of them click here.