Captains Ron White and Dave Wilson are among the latest graduates of Orange County’s Leadership Academy, designed to help county managers gain new insights on leadership and network with managers in other county departments.

The eight session course began in January and took place at Chapman University in Orange. The sessions included programs leadership challenges, leading to serve, leading teams, communicating as a leader, leading with integrity, leading through change and transition, and leadership visions.

The program has been in operation since 2004 and more than 250 county managers have graduated.

Among those who graduated with Captains White and Wilson were county managers with the Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Child Support Services,  County Counsel, County Executive Office, District Attorney, Health Care Agency, Housing and Community Services, Human Resources, Integrated Waste Management, Internal Audit, John Wayne Airport, Orange County Public Library, Probation, Public Adminstrator/Guardian, Public Defender, Resources Development Management Department, Sheriff-Coroner, Social Services Agency and Treasurer-Tax Collector.
 

The Board of Supervisors conducted interviews this week for the position of Sheriff. Understandably, there was a lot of discussion about the problems we are facing in our department. Over the last few months we have acknowledged the many areas we need to fix, but we also realize that these issues are not systemic, but isolated and individual in nature. The negative will undoubtedly garner headlines, but we also need to make sure we’re taking inventory of what’s right with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Among the numerous awards and recognition we’ve received, we continue to provide law enforcement services to one of the safest areas to live, work and play in the nation. Our Coroner’s facility serves as a statewide training facility and is a model for the state. An assessment conducted by the National Institute of Corrections last year noted that we operate one of the most professional jails while maintaining low assault rates; and our LA HIDTA Joint Drug Intelligence Group received the Outstanding Investigative Support Center Award of the year.

A commitment to excellence continues to thrive within our department, even as we work to correct shortcomings of the past.  With your great work and dedication, we will continue to have the opportunity to accentuate the positive while we eliminate the negative as we move toward a promising future.

Thank you for all you continue to do to lead our department in our mission to serve.

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson made the following comments on May 1, 2001 when giving commendations to Investigator Jeffrey Brown, Crime Analyst Catalina Reyes and Tustin resident Michael Palacio. The three were responsible for the arrest and the large number of cases made against the individual accused of being the culprit who became known as "The O.C. Flasher."  

"On Saturday, February 2, 2008, Tustin citizen Michael Palacio was near an apartment complex when he noticed a nude male knocking on a window of an apartment. Mr. Palacio took immediate steps to confront the suspect, ultimately chasing him through the complex and apprehending him.

Our investigators suspect that this individual committed over 200 acts of indecent exposure from 2005 to 2008.

Today, family and friends gathered as we commended Mr. Palacio, Investigator Jeffrey Brown and Crime Analyst Catalina Reyes for their outstanding performance, diligence, and dedication for their efforts on this case.

Mr. Palacio's commendation reads in part: 'In 2005 the Orange County Sheriff's Department became aware of an individual who was accosting and exposing himself to lone female residents.' Based upon the suspect's method of operation, he left virtually no investigative leads or clues to his identity. The Orange County Sheriff's Department utilized all of its resources and manpower to identify and apprehend this suspect.

The Department organized and conducted covert surveillances, reviewed dozens of individuals previously convicted of indecent exposure and released a composite sketch of a suspect. For three years no suspect was identified.

The Department realized that the apprehension of this suspect would likely occur by the initial response of a patrol deputy or by the quick and decisive acts of a citizen.

Mr. Palacio's actions immediately halted the continuing victimization of women and, because of the extraordinary investigative work of Crime Analyst Catalina Reyes and Investigator Jeff Brown, the suspect will be accountable in a court of law for more than the single incident that occurred on February 2.

This is an extraordinary example of the work each of you performs on a daily basis with the support of the communities we serve. Thank you for all of your great efforts.

John Crandall of the OC Register writes:

At an April 9 City Council meeting the Orange County Sheriff's Department presented its 2007 Annual Report for Rancho Santa Margarita. The report lists last year's crime statistics, police programs and officer awards.

According to the report, arrests have increased about 105 percent over the past five years, from 376 in 2003 to 770 in 2007. Arrests are divided into two categories: citation and street arrests, both of which are on the rise.

Read it all right here.

You never know where praise will be offered for the work of the members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Here are some kudos recently for the extraordinary work. 

Lt. Mike Betzler, Chief of Police Services for the City of San Juan Capistrano was praised by Senior Deputy Orange County District Attorney Tracy Rinauro for his assistance with the San Juan Capistrano gang injunction. Senior D.A. Rinauro wrote, "I have had the pleasure of working with Lt. Betzler for the past year and a half. He is an amazing asset to the Sheriff's Department, the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the San Juan Capistrano community. Lt. Betzler was instrumental to the success of the gang injunction. He has an amazingly positive attitude and excellent communication skills. I have recently had the opportunity to work with Lt. Betzler on gang prevention programs in San Juan Capistrano. He has built a professional relationship with several different community organizations throughout Orange County. Lt. Betzler has connected me to many of these community leaders to work with them on gang prevention
projects in San Juan Capistrano. Lt. Betzler genuinely cares about the San Juan Capistrano community and he is dedicated to making it a safe place to live and work. He has an incredible amount of energy and has on many occasions gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist me with establishing a gang prevention project in San Juan Capistrano. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with Lt. Mike Betzler. His professional demeanor, enthusiastic, positive attitude and dedication to his career inspire me."

Sgt. Mike Gavin was recently featured in the OCTA newsletter for his hard work. He has been with OCTA/Transit Police Services since September, 2006.  Sgt. Gavin supervises the Right-of-Way Team that patrols the OCTA right of way, and conducts special operations for Transit/Bus Operations.  He is currently working with OCTA staff on the implementation of the video live-feed capability for Transit Police Services. More...

From the Register's Erika I. Ritchie:

The character, qualities and leadership skills that now make sheriff's Lt. Steve Bernardi "America's Top Cop" were already there when he started in law enforcement 33 years ago.

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson – who worked for Bernardi in San Clemente – remembers how his onetime sergeant led by example rather than words.

Anderson got a call to take a collision report at a nearby gas station. When he arrived, Bernardi was standing near a car he'd hit. There was no damage and the car's driver didn't want a report, but Bernardi insisted Anderson take the report.

"He set the example," said Anderson. "No matter how miniscule something may be, he always does the right thing. Integrity should lead in decisions. He doesn't just say it, he does it. I'm not surprised this honor was bestowed on Steve."

Read it all right here.

This video was featured at the Medal of Valor luncheon last Friday. The Register covered the ceremony here.

Yesterday morning a rambunctious band of preschoolers enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in a beautiful park dedicated to the memory of one of our fallen heroes. While the four and five-year-olds played on the jungle gym and monkey bars, dug in the sand, and played tag, colorful eggs full of candy, temporary tattoos and money were being hidden in the green grass and open space surrounding the playground. Over the last year Sergeant Matt Davis Park has become a great location for parents and children to spend time together and mark the passing seasons.

Last May the City of Mission Viejo and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department officially dedicated this beautiful park to the memory of Sergeant Matt Davis. Sergeant Davis was serving the City of Mission Viejo on the afternoon of September 20, 2002, when he was involved in a traffic collision. Sergeant Davis fought valiantly for two days, but despite heroic medical efforts he succumbed to his injuries on September 22, 2002. 

Sergeant Matt Davis’ legacy, his commitment to making Mission Viejo and Orange County a safe place to share and play, continues today. The smiles, laughter and joy exhibited by the preschool class yesterday can be seen everyday on the faces of those who visit this park which bears his name. More...

From the Orange County Register:

For more than a year the Orange County Sheriff's Department has had specially-trained deputies screening county jail inmates for immigration status. Arrestees who are determined to be in this country illegally are detained and turned over to federal immigration authorities after their criminal cases are resolved.

Out of about 68,000 arrestees who were screened between Jan. 2007 and January of this year, 4,683 were found to be illegal immigrants, or about 7 percent of all screened arrestees. (About 3,000 of them had been arrested for non-immigration-related felonies, the rest for non-immigration misdemeanors.)

Read it all right here.

Each year the Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary recognizes outstanding local police, deputy sheriff and fire fighters for their accomplishments.  On Thursday, March 06, 2008 Deputy Monte Huotari  was recognized as the 2007 North Patrol Deputy of the year. 

The highlights noted in his nomination were his 19 years of service to the Sheriff’s Department, where he has excelled in all aspects of law enforcement.  He is an experienced, knowledgeable patrol deputy who has trained numerous patrol deputies.  He is a dedicated public servant who represents the department well. 

Monte is a mentor to the less experienced deputies and respected by his peers and supervisors alike for his work ethic and abilities.

From the March 11, 2008 Board meeting:

Mari has interviewed members of our department on several issues. It's time to get caught up:

Lt. Mike Betzler, Chief of Police Services in San Juan Capistrano:

Segment 1 -
Segment 2 -

Sgt Brad Virgoe, who serves in the City of Lake Forest, also oversees S.M.A.R.T.:
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Segement 2 -

The  work of 43 Orange County Sheriff's Department Investigators in making quick arrests and recovery of computers guns and cash taken in South County home invasion robbery was commended by the Orange County Supervisors at their March 11 meeting. For video of the presentation, click here.

 
More...

From the Register's Peggy Lowe:

I cornered Anderson after the meeting this morning and asked him why he wanted to hire Gennaco. He said that along with other changes he’s making, he wants Gennaco to do a review of policies and procedures and make a report back to the Board of Supervisors.

“If you don’t have that, the residents and even the board are going to wonder if we’re being as transparent as we can,” Anderson said.

I also asked Anderson if he wants Gennaco to look at anything specifically, since Anderson has been briefed by both the grand jury and DA Tony Rack on what the panel’s investigation found. Anderson said he can’t coment on specifics, as he’s bound by the grand jury’s secrecy rules, and that he hasn’t seen the entire 8,000-page report.

“I kind of had the high flyover, where you see the peaks and the snow caps,” he said of what he was told of the probe. “But I certainly don’t know what’s in the valleys and the foothills.”

On acting on some of what he knows, Anderson admitted, “It’s a weird dance I have to dance right now.”

But clearly, he’s dancing up a storm, firing two top aides, restructing his command staff, announcing changes in jail procedures, and hiring a favorite of Supe John Moorlach to do an independent review.

Anderson said he hopes Gennaco can start next week and anticipates that his report might take a few months to complete.

Here's a post from yesterday by our resident blogger, John, on the Office of Independent Review:

An Office of Independent Review similar to the one being set up for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has been in operation since 2001 in Los Angeles under the direction of former federal civil rights prosecutor Michael Gennaco.

In that time the office has reviewed about 1,500 cases involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and, virtually every case that has been investigated by the LASD’s Internal Affairs Bureau. Gennaco’s team has now entered its third three-year contract cycle providing oversight for LASD cases.

...More here

From the Crime Survivors website:

RSVP to Crime Survivors, Inc., PO Box 54552, Irvine, CA 92619-4552
or call (949) 872-7895
More...

(pictured is Mission Viejo Police Services Lt. Steve Bernardi, Crime Prevention Specialist Tammy Descoteaux and Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson -- all preparing for the Annual Walk Against Drugs)

On the first page of their 2007 Annual Report:

In 2007, the City of Mission Viejo was recognized by CQ Press as the safest city in the nation among cities with populations of 75,000 or greater, based on crime statistics reported to the FBI. Since the inception of the Safest City Awards 14 years ago, Mission Viejo has ranked among the top-ten safest cities in the nation each year. The City of Mission Viejo has always placed a high priority on public safety and the city’s goal is to remain one of the safest cities in the country.

Part 1 crimes decreased in 2007 by 5%. Since 2002, Part 1 crimes have decreased 16% in Mission Viejo. In addition, 2007 was the eighth consecutive year there was a decline in the number of traffic collisions with injuries.

Mission Viejo is the largest city that contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services. These services are provided by a total of 65 full time employees along with dedicated Senior Community Activity Team volunteers, Explorers and Chaplains. This past year two additional deputies were added to the School Resource Officer Program which provides deputies at four high schools and four middle schools. Even with this additional staffing, Mission Viejo’s per capita cost for police services is the lowest in the county among cities with populations of at least 75,000.

A signature event that is presented each year through a partnership between the City, the Sheriff’s Department and the local school districts is the Annual Walk Against Drugs. This event draws over 4,000 people to Mission Viejo High School for the start of the walk to Oso Viejo Park for the community faire. The Walk Against Drugs brings the community together to reinforce the message for youth to stay away from tobacco, alcohol and drugs. This year’s keynote speaker was NASA Astronaut Captain Michael Lopez-Alegria who grew up in Mission Viejo.

Is this Tom Cruise, or Search & Rescue Reserve Captain Steve Riches? Recently, our Search & Rescue team enhanced their technical SAR training.

Here are some photos: More...

Peggy Lowe writes:

"Moorlach’s initial plan was a civilian review panel, but has since been changed to model a Los Angeles County agency called the Office of Independent Review.  It will be comprised of civil rights attorneys who monitor and advise the sheriff’s Internal Affairs Unit."

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson addressed the Board of Supervisors on this issue February 5. Here's the video:

From the Media Release:

Deputy Harrison “Dan” Manhart, a 9-year Orange County Sheriff’s veteran, will be honored by the City Council tonight as San Juan Capistrano’s 2007 Deputy of the Year.

Manhart has served San Juan Capistrano since his assignment to South Operations/Patrol in June of 2005.  His professionalism, motivation and commitment to the city has earned him the respect of his peers, supervisors and community members, said Lt. Mike Betzler, chief of police services.

Manhart serves as a Field Training Officer and patrol deputy. He also serves on the department’s Critical Incident Response Team, a field-based team of highly trained deputies versed in the use of high-powered assault weapons.  Manhart has played a major role in helping to reduce crime in town. His arrest statistics basically tell the story and rank him as a “Top Gun” deputy in San Juan Capistrano, Betzler said.

In the past year, he was responsible for 133 total arrests – 48 were for felonies. In the last couple of years, Manhart has also been instrumental in working to take drunk drivers off of city streets. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) will recognize him again with its “Deuce Award” for his efforts to combat driving under the influence in San Juan Capistrano. 

Manhart has spent hours immersing himself into the community to become familiar with all aspects of the city, patrol areas and residents and business owners. His vast network has allowed him to keep a watchful eye on all types of activities that occur in San Juan Capistrano.

Betzler said that Manhart’s professionalism and dedication to the community is outstanding. More...

From February 13. Three clips:

The first, with Deputy Carla Kerr and Erlina Tulabut:

Next, with Sergeant Michael McHenry and Reserve Deputy Josh Money: More...

New opportunities and challenges demand that we constantly reevaluate our operation. Whether we implement new programs and services, collaborate with fellow law enforcement agencies, or work with outside organizations to utilize the best technology and resources, our focus must always be on our mission and whether the changes we implement will help us in exceeding expectations in our service to the community.

Throughout the history of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department we have been steadfast in our mission: To provide professional, responsive and caring law enforcement services to the residents, businesses and visitors of Orange County. Our unwavering focus on this mission has created one of the safest places to live, work and play, and those we serve continue to be satisfied and confident in our work.

Of course, we don’t rest on our laurels. Our ability to be responsive, creative and innovative to the changing needs of the community is essential. We continue to make tremendous strides, joining LiNX, a regional information sharing system; supporting the Office of Independent Review, growing our Cross-Designation program and addressing the operational strain of our growing jails.

Many challenges and opportunities are ahead, but the community we serve can rest assured that the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department remain committed to our role and flexible in our approach.

Thank you for all you do for the residents, businesses and visitors we serve each and every day.

February 15, 2008: 

On November 7, the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association approved the development of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC). OCIAC has assumed the duties of the Terrorism Early Warning Group (TEWG) and will expand to provide a countywide effort on anti-terrorism efforts, all-hazard mitigation, and law enforcement Terrorism Liaison Officer programs.

This new approach was the product of a countywide collaboration between the Sheriff’s Department and local police. OCIAC will establish county-wide criteria for terrorism liaison officers and set guidelines for information sharing and intelligence assessment. The center will also be responsible for the assessment of critical infrastructure and analysis of crime information, public tips and leads.

OCIAC is currently staffed by members of the Sheriff’s Department, Anaheim Police Department, Garden Grove Police Department, Irvine Police Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Huntington Beach Police Department and the FBI. The Orange County Fire Authority and the Health Care Agency will soon join the center.

OCIAC should be notified of any incident or information relevant to terrorism, including but not limited to:

- International or domestic terrorism
- Possession of explosives, improvised devices or bomb threats
- Photographs containing suspicious items or activities
- Contact with an individual on a terrorism watch list
- Regional crime threats
- Officer safety or threats against government officials

The staff of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (714) 628-3024. The center’s website can be accessed at www.ociac.org. The website contains information on anti-terrorism efforts and also has a link allowing members of the public to contact OCIAC directly with their questions or tips regarding suspected criminal or terrorist-related activity.

The new Consul of Mexico in Santa Ana and two of his top aides came to Department Headquarters on Friday to meet Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson, Acting as the Sheriff-Coroner.

“We want to insure that all foreign dignitaries are safe in Orange County,” Acting Sheriff Anderson told the trio of Mexican diplomats.  He told Consul Carlos Rodriguez y Quezada that the Department had a good working relationship with his predecessor.

When problems arose, the Department and the consulate staff worked together to solve them, Acting Sheriff Anderson said.  When the consulate staff found itself the target of a protest in San Juan Capistrano, the Department stood by to insure the protest was peaceful.

“It’s not our job to take sides,” Acting Sheriff Anderson said. “We will only take action if we see someone breaking the law.”

Consul Rodriguez y Quezada was accompanied to the meeting by Deputy Consul Manuel Herrera and Vice Consul Connie Capulin.

He added that a controversial issue in the community is illegal immigration. More...