Sandra Hutchens was sworn in this morning as the 12th Sheriff of Orange County.
The ceremony was held on the steps of the Old Orange County Courthouse and those attending included members of the Board of Supervisors, Mayors and Councilmembers and officials of contract partners, police chiefs and law enforcement officials from the region and many members of the Department.
She was selected on June10 after an exhaustive nationwide search that drew 48 applicants from across the country and even one from France.
Sheriff Hutchens signing oath of office
Bob Murray and Associates, the recruiting firm hired by the Board of Supervisors, interviewed 17 candidates and presented nine semi finalists to the Board of Supervisors. The nine were interviewed during a marathon public session of the Board and ultimately Sandra Hutchens was appointed. Her swearing in was delayed due to requirements that her psychological and medical fitness be certified.
Despite the divided vote on her appointment, members of the Board were unanimous in giving her their support for the job ahead.
“I wish her well,” said Supervisor Chris Norby, who favored another candidate for the job. “There will be a whole lot of challenges to be met over the next couple of years.”
The Department has faced criticism in the press and by Board members, along with a special grand jury that investigated the murder of an inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility. As Sheriff Hutchens takes office, she begins work on the promise to the Board of Supervisors to provide a review of the Department in 120 days.
Sheriff Hutchens brings to the job 29 years of law enforcement experience that has included street patrol, jail work, command, administration, and, most recently, heading the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Departments Office of Homeland Security.
Orange County city police chiefs are looking forward to working with her, said Anaheim Police Chief John Welter, President of the Orange County Chief’s and Sheriff’s Association.
“The Chiefs of Police in Orange County are looking forward to a close working relationship with Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. We've already met with her to begin discussions on important County-wide crime related issues. She's demonstrating the personal and professional skills needed as the Sheriff of Orange County. We have all committed to assist her whenever and wherever she asks for support. We wish her all the best in her new leadership role,” said Chief Welter.
County courts are also looking to her as a working partner, Presiding Judge Nancy Wieben Stock of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange said that:
“We are very pleased about the possibilities for the future with Sheriff Hutchens and continue to have great respect for and confidence in personnel at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. In partnership, we can have a positive effect upon those who seek justice services in Orange County.”
Sheriff Hutchens has lived in Dana Point for 13-years and has been retired from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for about a year.
That was a combination that Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates found attractive.
“She brings a fresh outsider’s perspective for advancing a new culture in the Department as well as insider knowledge on Sheriff’s operations and the menu of services provided within a county,” Supervisor Bates said. “Sheriff-designee Hutchens’ extensive background in community policing, ethics training, managing nearly 1,000 sworn peace officers and overseeing a budget with $400 million in revenues will serve her well in leading our Sheriff’s Deputies. “