From Sandra Hutchens 

Sheriff-Coroner

Throughout the last several weeks the Division Commanders, Executive Command Staff and I have been meeting to discuss our Strategic Financial Plan for fiscal year 2010-2011 and our preparations for a $60 million shortfall. I've asked each of them to deconstruct their divisions and evaluate our core services to ensure we provide the best public safety services possible with the budget that was approved by the Board and the potential cuts for next year.

Tuesday, July 28th I attended the Board of Supervisor's meeting to provide a status report on the budget reductions we are currently implementing. We have already implemented $13.7 million of the $20 million we must cut from our budget this year by temporarily closing the Women's jail, temporarily closing the Musick North Compound, reducing overtime for ICE screening, reducing contracts, and deleting vacant positions.

We are also looking at additional cost savings, reductions and revenue by changing jail schedules, relocating inmate workers, implementing the Correctional Services Assistant classification, and housing federal detainees.

Implementation of any of these plans would bring us cost savings this year, and assist us in preparing for the next fiscal year.

Also being finalized is our layoff plan in which 199 positions are affected by these reductions. Anywhere from 25-30 of our department personnel will be laid off. We are also reducing our command staff by 42 percent - this reorganization will reduce the number of Assistant Sheriffs from four to two while Captains will be reduced by six. Throughout this week I have been meeting individually with each Captain and notifications will continue next week with Assistant Sheriffs. Following these meetings, County Human Resources and ACLEM will be contacted. We expect to discuss, in detail, our reorganization sometime after August 17th.

I realize that these are challenging and uncertain times for you all. Our goal is to guide the department through these extraordinary economic challenges while ensuring our mandate to protect the public we serve. I want to thank you all for your hard work, dedication and patience as we work through this process.

“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...

OCSD Wins Battle of the Badges Competition

Photo Courtesy of the Orange County Register, photographer H. Lorren Au Jr.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department beat the Santa Ana and Anaheim Police Departments in the Second Annual Battle of the Badges competition, with 30  competiting law enforcement officers losing a total of more than 1,000 pounds.

The Sheriff's Department competitors won by shedding a combined 14.5 percent of their body weight during the 10-week competition administered by the Lean for Life Foundation through Lindora Medical Clinics.

The competitors also attained an overall 11 percent reduction in blood sugar, 48 percent decrease in triglyceride levels and a 27 percent reduction in LDL "bad" cholesterol. They also managed an average 9 percent reduction in waist circumference.

To see the Orange County Register's story on the competition click here.  

To see the KCAL-9 TV presentation click the icon below:

There was a separate competition for adolescents who were paired and mentored by the law enforcement competitors. All of the adolescents met the goal of losing at least 10 percent of their body weight.

The Sheriff's Department competitors included: Investigator Alex Salceda, Laguna Niguel Police Services, lost 21.4 pounds, 7.6 percent; Deputy Anthony Papsis, OCTA, 33.7 pounds, 14.6 percent; Deputy Chris Geeslin, James Musick Facility, 27 pounds, 10.3 percent; Sergeant Jim Bau, James Musick Facility, 35.9 pounds, 14.6 percent; Sergeant John Meyer, Mission Viejo Police Services, 57.5 pounds, 19.2 percent; Deputy Jonathan Daruvala, Dana Point Police Services, 43.7 pounds, 17.7 percent; Deputy Marisela Elmore, Dana Point Police Services, 22.3 pounds, 11.6 percent; Sergeant Matthew Stiverson, Theo Lacy Facility, 59 pounds, 18.3 percent. Deputy Patricia Neiman, IRC, 41.8 pounds, 15.3 percent; Sergeant Paul Wade, Theo Lacy Facility, 45.1 pounds, 16.2 percent.  

 

Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was the first public official to participate in an online question and answer session with readers of OCRegister.com.  The Register reported that more than 1,200 people logged into the session and the Sheriff answered questions for over an hour. The Register hopes to make the question and answer session a regular feature of their online coverage.

Here is a sample question and below is a link the the full session.  

To view all of the questions and answers click here.  

A letter from Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens to the Department:

After many months of assessing different options to address the department's budget crisis, the administration has made a critical decision to close the entire Central Women's Jail while we work on the development of a contract to house federal prisoners. The closure plans have already started and will move forward in phases with a completion date of July 24th.

In an effort to utilize all personnel displaced by this closure, female deputies will be assigned throughout the jail system, including the Theo Lacy Facility. To ensure an efficient and smooth transition, we will do everything possible to accommodate all personnel impacted by the closure.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the personnel assigned to the Central Women's Jail. They have done and continue to do outstanding work. Recently I attended several briefings where their efforts were recognized by me and members of the command staff. The closure of this facility will be difficult and will put additional strain on the entire system. The personnel at the Women's Jail were extremely helpful with all aspects of the closure plans.

While many people have worked on these closure options, I would like to specifically thank Deputy Denise Fairchild who did a significant amount of work showing the impacts of the proposed closure. This material was presented to the Board of Supervisors and was critical in mitigating issues created by the closure.

Now more than ever, I am confident all personnel will come together as a team and assist with the relocation efforts. Our collective dedication and commitment will make this transition successful and continue to move this department forward during very difficult times.

Sheriff's experience helps her learn political ropes

A year after taking office, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens talks about leading a department after predecessor's high-profile exit.

By Steve Spernak

OCTOA Executive Director and PSR

Congratulations and countless comments of appreciation continue to come in from all over California to the Orange County Traffic Officers Association who partnered with Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and her command staff  in what is believed to be the largest law enforcement tribute for the four Oakland Police Officers lost on March 21st.

The highly successful “Cigar Night Classic” fundraiser for injured OC Motor Officers and the Oakland Police Officers Association was the culmination of five weeks of planning by The Orange County Traffic Officers Association. President and Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Brad Blakely helped organize a large contingent of OC Law Enforcement who attended the March funerals in Oakland attended by 21,000 peace officers.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, center, with John and Mary Huffman, parents of OCSD Sergeant Matthew Davis, killed in the line of duty on September 20, 2002

Photo by Professional Services Responder George Ridley 

The Orange County Traffic Officers Association, including Blakely and Deputies Joe Cope and Thom Spratt, were dedicated to finding a way to assist the families of the four Oakland officers and officers here in Orange County who were killed or injured in the line of duty.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and her entire command staff,  members of the Board of Supervisors, city mayors, judges, Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, CHP Commanders,  Council members, Deputy DA’s  and local business owners supported the effort.

Among the backers was a bi-partisan team of local legislators, including Assembly members Jose Solorio, Van Tran, Jim Silva, Curt Hagman, Jeff Miller, Chuck Devore, Mike Duvall and State Senators Lou Correa, Bob Huff and Tom Harman as well as  U.S. Representative John Campbell.

Others who showed support were the Choirboys (retired police motorcyclists) and Oakland Assemblywoman ASM Sandre Swanson, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Attorney General Jerry Brown.

Special congratulations went to OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens who won not only the ‘Chief’s Challenge’ as highest donor, but won over the 1,000 attendees with her appearance at the fundraiser. Hutchens was joined by Assistant Sheriffs Mike James, Mike Hillman, and Jack Anderson and several OCSD Lieutenants at the Traffic Officers reception and graciously accomodated photos and handshakes from well-wishers, including Judge Lance Ito.

Mike Harrah, owner of Original Mikes Restaurant, who hosted the entire event, hospitality, staffing and food stations, was recognized at the formal presentation by Deputy Bradley Blakely who presented Harrah a signed and framed Litho of the Association’s artwork.

The centerpiece of the night’s event was the tearful address Oakland Police Officer Andy Luty offered on the incredible lives, loves and living of Officer John Hege, and Sgts. Dan Sakai, Erv Romans and Mark Dunakin.

Chris Dunakin, brother of Sgt. Mark Dunakin, was joined by his parents and family, and gave a rendering eulogy and grateful thanks to the family of law enforcement who will help the 9 orphans left behind in Oakland.

Dunakin was joined by Oakland Officers Andy Luty, Jim Gordon and Jim Fisher in lighting the ‘eternal flame’ candlelight vigil in front of framed  photos of the Officers. 

Blakely presented each member of the Oakland Police Department with litho artwork, signed by the Association Board, as well as Chris Dunakin and his parents who attended and were introduced in front of the 1000 + attendees inside Original Mikes for the formal program.

Pictures of the four Oakland officers killed in the line of duty this year

Brad Blakely closed the night's program with  special recognition to Tonight Show host Jay Leno, who donated $5000.00 in support of the event. Unfortunately, Leno was unable to attend at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts.

Donors can still send in any amount to honor the Oakland Officers and injured OC Motors by going to their website at OCTOA.org , to see the photo collage and check the opportunity to be sponsors next year.

The OCTOA “Cigar Night Classic”, honoring heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, helped bring closure to the Oakland Officers and their families and overwhelmingly showcased the caring and closeness of the OC Cops, electeds and community that help make this “legacy event” a classic in OC law enforcement history.

Gynnae and Ryan Scheffilea came to Sheriff's Headquarters today bearing platters of sandwiches, cookies and cake and more wishes of thanks than could fit on the Department Website.

The mother and son were international news last July 4 weekend, when she was shot and he was kidnapped and the subsequent Amber Alert sent every investigator and deputy who could be spared on the search. It ended with Gynnae's recovery and Ryan's safe return.

Ryan after his safe return last year

Today they were accompanied by relatives and they brought a few letters, some they wrote and some were written by friends.

To see Department Blog story on Ryan's safe recovery last year click here:

To see the letter that Ryan wrote to the Department click: Ryan's letter Scan001a.pdf (56.38 kb)

To see Gynnae's letter click: gynnae Scan001.pdf (40.13 kb)

To see a letter from friends click: Friend Letter a.pdf (37.58 kb)

To see the Medal of Merit Commendation to those most responsible for safe return of Ryan click:  medal of merit.pdf (295.01 kb)

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and 16 of Orange County's police chiefs have sent a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California lawmakers opposing a plan to release "low risk" felons from prison and place them directly into the community without parole supervision. 

The letter began: 

We, the undersigned members of Orange County law enforcement, are writing to express our concerns over a recent proposal for the release of convicted “low risk” felons on “no parole.”  It needs to be noted that parole as “constructive custody” has operated as a protection of society against those who have historically exhibited an inability to comply with the law or respect the rights of others.  Doing away with parole without a reasonably certain assurance that those released will comply with the law on their own subjects the law abiding public to an avoidable risk of harm.  The safety of the law abiding public is the first and foremost obligation of government.  The proposal as presently written will seriously compromise the efforts of local police, sheriff’s and district attorneys to control crime in their communities and protect the public from the harm it entails.

The public has a right to expect that the government will provide some degree of supervision to ensure that those previously convicted of crimes, incarcerated and then released back into society will lead productive lives and not continue to victimize the innocent.  In our view, failure to do so is contrary to the very purpose of the criminal justice system, to protect the public.  Local law enforcement undertakes great expense and effort to protect the communities from those who commit crimes, and we are concerned that this proposal will not only increase their burdens, but undermine these continuing efforts by failing to provide the needed tools.

To read the entire letter click: Letter - No Parole Early Release.pdf (6.98 mb)

Dear Department Personnel:

This afternoon, prior to their final vote on the 2009-10 budget, I addressed the Board of Supervisors to again express my concerns on the recommended budget for the Sheriff-Coroner Department. We cannot absorb a $30.7 million dollar budget cut without it having an impact on public safety services.

Over the last year, we eliminated 67 vacant positions in the department and cut 150 extra help positions. We reduced overtime usage by 18 percent, cutting 6,000 hours of overtime from each two-week pay period as compared to the previous year. We eliminated hospital security for outside agency arrestees, we limited annual leave pay-downs, ended gunshot residue testing, reduced helicopter flight time, and we closed 360 jail beds at the James A. Musick Facility.

We’ve also deferred equipment purchases, reduced the utilization of take-home vehicles, and deferred capital projects. Unfortunately, these reductions do not close the budget gap we’re facing. This is why I asked the board for $7 million to fund us for the next six months, while we continue to move forward with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a deal to house their detainees.

The board voted unanimously for the budget that the CEO’s office recommended, which means that we must begin the process of laying off and/or eliminating a total of 30-50 positions. I shared with the board that I do not have the option of not staffing a jail or a patrol car so we would have to look at investigators, dispatchers, Forensic Scientists and crime lab services. These positions have a direct impact on our contract cities, our unincorporated communities, and the entire county.

Each member of this department is important to us and integral to our operation and we will do our best to find positions for those affected as we move forward to ensure we are working within the limitations of our budget.

Sincerely,

Sandra Hutchens
Sheriff-Coroner

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens will have a statement for the Department later today on the action by the Board of Supervisors.

Sheriff to lay off up to 50 employees

une 23rd, 2009, 1:37 pm

posted by Jennifer Muir

Despite last minute pleas from Sheriff Sandra Hutchens that proposed budget cuts could cripple the quality of law enforcement, county supervisors reaffirmed their decision to shrink her department’s budget by $28 million today.

Up to 50 sheriff’s department employees will be laid off  from across the department because of the cuts, Hutchens said. At least one floor of the Women’s Central Jail will be shuttered, response times will increase and investigations will move along at a slower clip, Hutchens said.

“I can not absorb $30 million in cuts without the public feeling this,” she said.

Supervisors heard from the sheriff one final time before adopting the final budget for next year — a spending plan that’s $1.2 billion smaller than this year as a staggering economy continues to slam tax revenues. The county’s general fund budget now hovers at $700 million, after supervisors shaved some $55 million from services — the majority coming from public safety.

Hutchens asked supervisors today for about $7 million to keep her department afloat for six months while she negotiates a deal with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house federal detainees, which she believes could bring in up to $18 million a year. And she was hoping to avoid layoffs and deeper program cuts until that money starts flowing in.

Supervisors acknowledged the sheriff presented a “compelling argument,” they weren’t willing to gamble that the ICE deal would come to fruition.

“When you have something firm, come back,” Supervisor Bill Campbell told the sheriff.

Check back with ocregister.com  for a full budget story. 

The Orange County Register reported on Sheriff Sandra Hutchens' report on her first year in office.

Sheriff Hutchens says she has made progress remaking department

Sandra Hutchens is also expected to discuss reform at county jails.

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.

The Department has two new Sergeants; Michael Ellis and Brad Olsen. Sergeant Ellis, formerly with Lake Forest Police Services, has been assigned to the IRC.  Sergeant Olsen, formerly with the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center, has been assigned to the Men's Main Jail.

The Orange County Grand Jury today issued its annual assessment of the county jail system and gave a favorable report overall.

"The overriding conclusion reached by the Grand Jury is that the Orange County jail system is well run and in good overall condition. The delivery of service continues to improve under new leadership and the morale of the jail staff is improving," the report said.

The Grand Jury found that the facilities are aging quickly, staff overtime remains a concern and the challenges for command and line staff are many. Still the Grand Jury said it applauds the work of the OCSD men and women and the HCA staff in operating a jail system that has no shortage of tests and challenges."

The Grand Jury complemented Sheriff Sandra Hutchens on her strong leadership in taking charge of a jail system that last year was under massive criticism in the aftermath of the controversial murder of inmate John Chamberlain.

The grand jury said:  "Within a matter of a few weeks of her appointment, the Sheriff made major changes in the jail command staff. The Custody Operations Command was placed under a new Assistant Sheriff who reports directly to the Undersheriff. The four segments of custody operations received three new jail commanders. The fourth continued under the leadership of the Inmate Services Director. Based on meetings and interviews, the Grand Jury was very impressed with the experience and strong leadership qualities of these individuals."

The 16-page report covers a wide range of issues, from the need to build new facilities to using a bar code system for the wristbands worn by inmates.

To read the full report click here.

Nearly 42,000 people turned out on Friday to see the Angels beat the Padres but before they played the game, the crowd watched two Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies honored on the field as Orange County’s Top Cops.

Photos by Professional Services Responder George Ridley

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies Gary Lewellyn and Richard Olszynski were selected by the board of the Orange County Chapter of the Peace Officers Research Association of California.  They were honored with the Department’s Medal of Valor earlier this year for their part in a gunbattle at the Mission Viejo Mall where a serial armed robber was killed. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was on hand to help present the Top Cop Awards.

A portion of the game's ticket sales made through PORAC was donated to Project 999, which raises money to help the survivors of Orange County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. To learn more about Project 999 go to their Website at http://www.project999ride.org/

Letter from the Sheriff  

Remembering Deputy Riches

Ten years ago, June 12, 1999, gunfire erupted in a Lake Forest convenience store parking lot. Before it was over,

30 shots had been fired from an AK-47 assault rifle. Deputy Bradley Riches was dying, the victim of an ambush

attack by a mentally ill man with a hatred for law enforcement. Bleeding profusely, Deputy Riches died while

attempting an emergency transmission to warn his fellow officers.

The assailant now sits on Death Row.

Deputy Riches was recognized as a hero long before the parking lot shooting. While a Sheriff's Special Officer, he

was awarded the Medal of Courage for wrestling a gun away from a distraught welfare recipient at a county office in

1989. He was sworn as a deputy in 1991.

His older brother, Robert, spoke at Deputy Riches' memorial service. "Apart from being big in stature, he was big in heart. If ever there

was a 6-foot-5 angel, Brad was it. A kinder, gentler brother there never was."

While assigned to the jails, Deputy Riches used his carpentry and woodworking skills to build a wall of honor for Orange County

Sheriff's Department sworn personnel who died in the line of duty. He worked on his own time to carve a wood frame and install track

lighting. He framed the portraits of five OCSD officers who had died in the line of duty: Undersheriff Robert Squires, 1912; Deputy Erza

Stanley, 1940; Deputy Robert Shultz, 1958; Deputy Mark Tonkin, 1988, and Deputy Darryn Robins, 1993.

The portraits he assembled and framed are now displayed in the reception area of the Administration offices. Added to the wall are

portraits of Deputy Riches, 1999; Deputy Steve Parsons, 2000 and Sergeant Matthew Davis, 2002.

Brad Riches' life and his service to our profession brought honor to our law enforcement family. We will always remember him.

SANDRA HUTCHENS

Sheriff-Coroner

To view the Department's Website Memorial to Deputy Riches click here.

To view the Officer Down memorial page to Deputy Riches click here.

The Orange County Traffic Officers's Association is hosting a fund raiser on June 25 for benefit the survivors of four Oakland Police Department officers killed in the line of duty earlier this year.

OCSD Employees Invited to OC Traffic Officers’ "Cigar Night Classic"  

June 25th fundraising event to raise money for Oakland PD families and injured OC Motors 

  Santa Ana- The Orange County Traffic Officers Association cordially invites every member of the Orange County Sheriffs Department to attend or support theirpremier 'Cigar Night Classic' fundraiser for the OCTOA and  Oakland Police Association on Thursday evening, June 25th, at Original Mikes Restaurant, 100 S. Main, Santa Ana. 

The OCTOA, representing 22 agencies and over 150 Motors and Investigators, advised that all Sheriff's Department personnel can buy advance tickets from members of the Traffic Division throughout the Department as well as from members who were assigned ticket sales at Central, Harbor, Lacy, Courts, JWA, Transportation and Custody, in addition to Deputies who will sell them at each contract city.

Your $20 donation provides entry, food, an automatic opportunity to take home a  large flat-screen  tv, Ipods, Iphones, 2 night stay with dinner at the HB Hyatt and over a dozen other terrific prizes that will be given away at the 9 pm drawing. Winners need not be present. Live bands, DJ's, BBQ, cigar bar and humidor display, libations and a formal 7 pm program to honor the four Oakland Officers lost March 21st will take place.  Proceeds from the event will also support members of the OCTOA who were injured on duty while protecting Orange County.  

Jay Leno and Governor Schwarzenegger have been invited to attend. 

Tickets will also be available at the door and attendees are welcome to purchase "event-night" raffle tickets as well as bids on a 2009 Honda Motorcycle. 

Limited edition commemorative shirts in all sizes with the silk-screen theme 'Heroes Live Forever" are available at the door or through advanced sales with Santa Ana Officer Nelson Menendez. Your $20 donation covers the costs and funds raised will go to the surviving  families in Oakland  and the OCTOA . Contact Nelson at 714 240 7753 or email him at heroes.tshirt@yahoo.com to arrange purchases or delivery by US Mail. 

Parking is available in commercial centers surrounding Original Mikes and a shuttle will transport attendees to the 3 rd Street parking structure beginning at 5 pm and running thru midnite. Dress code is "dressy-casual" and event / parking security will be provided by SAPD and Original Mikes staff. 

OCTOA President, OCSD Deputy Brad Blakely and  Steve Spernak, Executive Director of the OCTOA, extended a special thanks from  the association to Sheriff Hutchens and her command staff for all their support and accomodations in making this a terrific event for Sheriff’s personnel.  Blakely advised  Sheriff Hutchens will receive the association's pen and ink litho artwork, signed by the Board of Directors, after the event for her cooperation and  promotional  communications to make this a legendary event for law enforcement in Orange County in support of the Oakland PD survivors  and Police Officers, Deputies and CHP traffic officers from the Orange County Traffic Officers Association.   

More than 450 Inmate Services Volunteers and their families turned out at Hart Park in Orange on June 6 for the 11th Annual Appreciation Picnic.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens attended to show her appreciation for the hundreds of volunteers who help make the Department provide for the needs of inmates in accordance with the law.  

Sheriff Hutchens thanks the volunteers who work with Inmate Programs

Inmate Programs Director Sharron Gibson-Casler also thanked the volunteers.

"We are very proud of our nearly 1200 volunteers, representing 26 very diverse organizations, providing a multitude of services and donating tens of thousands of hours annually to our County’s inmate population. We want our volunteers especially to know that their dedication and support of our correctional programs are critical to the core mission of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Inmates Services Division," she said.  

There are 1151 Volunteers cleared for entrance to all five of the Department's jail facilities.

A total of 26 organizations provice church services, Bibles studies, individual Pastoral counseling, 12-step recovery drug and alcohol panels and individual tutoring for reading and math skills. 

Two community-based Volunteer Programs provide for inmate-made goods to help the community: Angel’s of Love, for the family of hospitalized patients and Sew Much Comfort to provide clothing for those who lost limbs in the Armed Forces.

In 2008 104,149 inmates attended volunteer programs in the Orange County Jails.

Volunteers put in 15,158 hours for a savings to the county of $295,732.58. 

In 2009 up to the day of the picnic, 44,624 inmates attended volunteer programs in the Orange County Jails serving 6,650 inmates. There were 6,918 hours donated for a savings to the county of $134,970.

Updated with Power Point presentation on 06-11-09

To see the Power Point Prsentation given at the meeting click: Home Town Police Services.pptx.wmv (6.66 mb)  

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens held the first in a series of Town Hall Meetings on Tuesday and introduced residents of Mission Viejo to their new Chief of Police Services: Lieutenant Mike Gavin.

Photos by Professional Services Responder Randy Frager

Sheriff Hutchens introduced herself to the crowd and provided information about the Department. She described the various roles in which it serves the community: patrols, investigations, custody services, and providing training and recruiting services for contract cities such as Mission Viejo. She also talked about plans for the Department, such as phasing in Custody Assistants to make sworn Deputies available for other duties, saving the Department about $10 million a year. She alerted the Mission Viejo residents to the Straw Vote taken earlier in the day by the Board of Supervisors, which, if formalized on June 23, will result in reduced public safety services to all residents in Orange County.

To see the Orange County Register story on the meeting click here.

She introduced Captain Ron White, Commander of the South Operations Division, and he told those at the Town Hall meeting about his division's responsiblity for the safety of 600,000 residents, answering 200,000 calls for service each year.

Captain White in turn introduced Lieutenant Gavin, a 23-year veteran of the Department who has vast experience in patrol and investigations, as well as custody operations.

Lieutenant Gavin introduced key members of his staff as well as Deputies Gary Lewellyn and Richard Olszynski, who were honored with the Medal of Valor this year for their part in a gunbattle at the Mission Viejo Mall where a serial armed robber was killed. He said he was proud to have been selected as Chief of Police Services and he will work hard to keep the community one of the safest cities in the country.

Sheriff Hutchens and Mission Viejo fan Rebecca Auer

Many of the residents at the meeting had questions for the Sheriff and Lieutenant Gavin.

The first speaker recited the complaints made by a group that opposed the Sheriff's review of Concealed Weapons Permits and the Sheriff once again explained that she had a duty to bring the permits in Orange County into line with state law. She added that she has issued new permits and there are currently close to 900 active permits issued by the Department.

Others at the Town Hall meeting were more concerned with problems around their homes.  One woman complained that friends of her son are ticketed when they use the family's parking permits to park at her home. Lieutenant Gavin said he has been looking into the problem and the ticket she originally complained about had been dismissed.

Other concerns included residents failing to clean up after their dogs in a neighborhood meadow and the practice of motor officers using the sidewalks when monitoring traffic in busy areas where residents have asked for increased enforcement.

The problem is one that is under review but requires a balancing of the needs of the community to provide increased traffic enforcement when necessary without creating a danger to pedestrians.

Four Orange County Sheriff's Deputies were recipients of this year's Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year Awards. Deputies Saul Cardenas, Joseph Kantar, Trent Hoffman and Tyler Ray received their honors at a reception on May 28 at the Irvine Marriot. The Awards are sponsored by the Auto Theft Advisory Committee, a partnership of law enforcement, insurance companies and auto related companies working together to fight auto theft.

Letter from the Sheriff

We all know that the continuing economic challenges have created a budget crisis for our department of a

magnitude that few of us can visualize -- a revenue shortfall in the millions of dollars.

Our mission remains as critical as ever, and each of us has a part to play in the challenge of bringing the department

through this crisis. We must continue to protect the public while reducing our services and staffing as prudently as

possible. All of us work in positions in which we see where money is spent and we have ideas on how money can be

saved.

As we continue to navigate the ever challenging budget, we are looking at cuts big and small and that is where each

of you can help the department. Look at how you do your job and how others do similar jobs. If you have a

suggestion for saving money in a way that will not endanger the public or unduly reduce the services we provide, I

want to hear about it.

You don't have to think in terms of millions of dollars, hundreds will do for a start. If each member of the department can recommend a

way to save the department $275, the gross savings for the department will be $1 million. At a time when the county is looking to reduce

staff to save money, $1 million equals the annual salary of 25 office technicians, 17 Forensic Scientists or Deputy Coroners or 16 Deputy

Sheriffs.

Send your ideas to me via email at shutchens@ocsd.org or by pony to Sheriff Hutchens, Administration, 550 Flower St.

While we're looking at a revenue shortfall in the millions of dollars, even small savings make a big difference. Thank you for all that you

do - even during these challenging times.

SANDRA HUTCHENS

Sheriff-Coroner

A Public Service Announcement from the Orange County Sheriff's Department; Aliso Viejo Crime Prevention Unit 

Skateboarders Bo Harmon and Brett Santos describe their experiences in the hospital after a skateboarding accident and why it is important to wear a helmet.

Part I

In the early days of female Patrol Deputies in Los Angeles, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens’ male partner insisted on opening doors for her.

His motive may have been good manners but, Sheriff Hutchens said in a recent talk to students at Santiago Canyon College, “It wasn’t appropriate when we were in uniform.”

The first female patrol deputies were sent into the field wearing skirts, high heels and a purse, inside of which they carried their firearm,  a six shot revolver.

Santiago Canyon College President Juan Vázquez introduces Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

“It was set up for failure,” she told the nearly 100 students who came to hear her talk about “Being a woman in Law Enforcement,” as well as discussing issues she faces as the Orange County Sheriff.

“When those first women went in a foot pursuit, they kicked off their high heels and chased the bad guys over fences,” Sheriff Hutchens said. “They made it work.  I thank them for blazing the trail for me.”

Sheriff Hutchens was among one of the earliest groups of women Deputies to go into the field wearing trousers, essentially the same uniform as male Deputies wore.

For several more years it was unusual to see a woman Deputy on patrol.

When Sheriff Hutchens served as a Field Training Officer, people would typically go to her trainee as the lead Deputy because he was the male.

“A lot of times I would say, ‘excuse me’, since he wouldn’t know what he’s suppose to do,” she said. “Other times I’d let them talk to the trainee and they would see his blank stare and they would realize he was clueless.”

Santiago Canyon College President Juan Vázquez told the students that Sheriff Hutchens had a “rich history in law enforcement, starting as a secretary and now leading the 5th largest Sheriff’s Department in the country.”  He added that the college and the Sheriff’s Department are partners in providing educational programs to county jail inmates.

The Sheriff told the students that she had a lot in common with them, having begun her college career as a community college student by working while taking classes.

“I did not grow up wanting to be a cop, there were no real role models. Women in law enforcement back then were jail matrons and juvenile investigators.”

She joined the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to be a secretary and Deputies she worked with encouraged her to apply to become a Deputy.
“It was a very dynamic environment and the question was, ‘can women do this job?’ ” More...

Teacher Kerry Yuhasz's 6th grade class at Capistrano Valley School have adopted Sheriff Hutchens and the Sheriff's Department and will offer a prayer each day for her and the Department.

"We consider it a privilege to have "adopted" you this year as our special community leader," Mrs. Yuhasz said in a letter to the Sheriff.

"Our class knows what a tremendous job you have, and as Orange County citizens, we want you to know that we appreciate all you do to protect our communities."

The Blog will feature letters from the class from time to time.

Student Jessica Knappe said in her letter:

"I thank you on behalf of my class for protecting us. It is very nice of you and your fellow policemen. I thank God everyday about having someone to protect us. Without you and your co-workers this would be a very dangerous place."  

The Orange County Register today reported on the OIR report on complaints about Department security and communications at Board of Supervisors meetings.  

Monday, May 11, 2009

Report: Sheriff's Department handled misdeeds appropriately
Office of Independent Review issues report backing up sheriff's handling of problems.
By NORBERTO SANTANA JR.
The Orange County Register

The county's Office of Independent Review, which monitors internal investigations within the Sheriff's Department, concluded that Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and her staff appropriately handled misdeeds rising from a series of controversial public hearings on gun permits.

During one hearing in November 2008, sheriff's command staff exchanged disparaging text messages about county supervisors and gun activists. At another hearing in January 2009, a sheriff's investigator used a surveillance camera to view county supervisors' notes. Critics also accused the sheriff of being overly aggressive with the heavy security presence at the meeting.

To read the full story click here.