The events of this week have no doubt left you with many questions and concerns. While I have had the opportunity to speak to the Board of Supervisors, the media, and many of our contract partners to offer reassurances to the public, I have not had the same opportunity to speak with many of you. Maintaining the public’s trust in the great work you do has been essential, especially in light of the media’s favorite question: “What does the future of the Sheriff’s Department look like?”

I don’t have a crystal ball, but the answer is easy. Unless our mission statement changes, we are not going to stop providing professional, responsive, and caring law enforcement services to the residents and businesses of Orange County. The future of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is not about one single person. The future is about the over 4000 men and women who, in the midst of all of our challenges, continue to mount success after success.

As I have reiterated over the last three days, we continue to provide law enforcement services to some of the safest cities in the nation, our Forensics Science Services Division remains one of the best and most nationally recognized, and we continue to professionally operate one of the safest mega-jails in the country. Certainly we have had our challenges, but our mission remains constant and the county can rest assured of our steadfast commitment.

The next few months will be a time of great transition, and it is my goal to keep you all up to date and informed as to what is occurring both within the department and throughout the county. I sincerely appreciate your patience and professionalism as we move forward, and I know that each of you will continue to protect the county in your usual extraordinary fashion.