Sheriff Sandra Hutchens announced today that she has asked all reserve Professional Service Responder deputies to return their badges while she investigates the volunteer program.
This is a reaction to former Sheriff Mike Carona’s use of the badges as political payback, which has come up in his federal public corruption trial.
In an letter to the reserves, a rep for Hutchens said she believed it would be “prudent” to call back the badges.
“Our new Sheriff, Sandra Hutchens, is very aware of the valuable service you provide to the people of Orange County,” the letter says. “However, she would not be doing her job if she didn’t evaluate all aspects of this department with a fresh set of eyes.
Great move! There will undoubtedly be those in the program, Skippy’s pals, who will hopefully turn in the “shiny object” and then disappear. And that’s not such a bad thing at all……
Are we talking all of the reserves or just the PSR program ???? What about level 1,2 and 3 reserves. If she recalls all reserve badges good luck finding new recruits to bust their butts for a dollar a year
Just the PSR’s….
I dreaded training level one/two reserves only because they didn’t spend enough time to learn the profession, but they liked the perks (badge/gun), something after a while I could care less about. A badge and gun is a liability……There is a need for their work, and I do respect the workers, but Carona/Jaramillo/Haidl all wanted to make the reserves equal to the sworn, which only caused more division…..Hopefully, a revamped program will restore the purpose of a true reserve program.
Has anyone seen these two websites?
http://www.BadCopNews.com
and
http://www.FamilyLawCourts.com/badcop.thml
Right on, Sheriff Sandra.
FYI to Know Em All
In California the reserve officer program goes 3, 2,1 Meaning level 1 reserve officers have all the training and duties of a full time officer, while level 3 reserves are restricted to administrative duties and can only carry a gun and make arrests if they are accompanied by a full time officer.
The importance of seperating the different levels is to make it easier for civilain professionals to contribute to the community. The Peace Officer status allows them access to records, crime scenes, etc. without comprosing casefiles.
If you had actually trained anyone you probably would have know this.
Good move
Good move!
This is a good move. Reserve programs are important, but it’s also important that the people selected as reserve officers pass the same background checks as regular officers and go through rigorous training programs before they are allowed to carry weapons. There probably is a need also for volunteer programs to assist the Sheriff’s Department staffed with people who do not receive badges or guns, just a simple ID card that clearly identifies them as volunteers.
The program addressed by the Sheriff is the PSR program, not the reserves. PSR’s are not sworn and have no powers of arrest. Reserve Deputies go through an extensive background investigation and training to POST standards.
Regardless of published news stories and rumors, PSRs don’t carry guns. The current PSR ID card and badges clearly state “Professional Services Civilian Responder”. On the back of the ID card it says “this credential does not authorize CCW” and it identifies the holder as a “Professional Staff Employee” of the Orange County Sheriff Department.. PSRs who display their credentials while not on duty do so against department policy and those who have, have been dismissed. The tainted (bought with political contributions) reserve badges were collected long ago.
There goes 16,000 hours of self funded community work out the window. Not to mention six figures in campaign contributions going to her 2010 opponent. It could have been handled a lot better.
I agree that the program needs review and the “Caronies” need to be weeded out, but she didn’t handle this well.
She is revoking the PSR status of a group of people who dedicated their time and efforts to public service, for free, just because of a tiny handful of incidents with PSR people?
That is not the way to go about this.
Next she will revoke all CCWs claiming the same reasons. Good luck to any CCW holders getting those permits back, no matter how upstanding and law-abiding you are.
“Sam Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 9:37 am
There goes 16,000 hours of self funded community work out the window. Not to mention six figures in campaign contributions going to her 2010 opponent. It could have been handled a lot better.”
The PSRs did that many hours just so they can have a “shiny object” in their pocket or around their neck? Give me a break. She could have folded the program if she wanted to, but didn’t. She just took something away from the program that had absolutely nothing to do with the performance of it. They caused nothing but problems for the department. This is the only item on her already useless agenda since taking office that I agree with so far.
I think the badge issue was handled with complete professionalism and tact.
The PSR program has apparently struggled under the issue of badges being issued, even if they are different from the regular badges. Removing the badges from the program allows it to continue to thrive and grow, serving the department and the public in the true spirit of volunteerism.
What are the odds of the Register retracting this sensationalistic and blatantly untrue story?
So they are asking for all the PSR to turn in their badge and ID with no replacement ID ready.
But they are still requesting service from them…?
How will they identify themselves ? I don’t know much about the PSR but this does not make any sense……
Average Joe,
Gee thanks for the education, as I stated the Level 1 and 2 Reserves I trained weren’t dedicated with their time, so it was a constant battle in training them. They were just like you…. Average.
Ignorance is bliss. I can tell from the what is being said that many who comment have no idea what the PSR program is about and how it is so different now than its earlier days. Many of the volunteers take part in such fun activities as sitting in a county crown vic cruising around Villa Park for six hour shifts being observers for the department. Or how about the recent event where a PSR pilot and general aviation airplane owner donated the use of his skill and airplane to pick up a kidnapped child from Texas. How about if you get lost in a wilderness park in Orange County? When they call out the Search and Rescue Reserve Unit, about half of them will be PSR volunteers. How about homicide investigators needing lots of eyes to look for evidence? They found out that volunteers will work cheap. Coffee and donuts will bring a pretty good crowd to help.
I am proud to be a PSR. I get to associate with those who “talk the talk and walk the walk.” They don’t just sit back and bitch about what is wrong, they get out and make a difference. So before anyone else complain about how we are in it for the shinny badge, I would suggest that you come out and join us to see what it is all about. But, you have to be willing to submit to a background investigation and be finger printed and felons need not apply.
As far as badges for non-sworn employees and volunteers, the Sheriff and OCR need to look at what other categories of non-sworn employees carry a badge. You will be surprised!
Sheriff Hutchens is doing such a wonderful job, she will restore OCSD back to the wonderful organization it once was.
PSR program is a VOLUNTEER program. Its there for citizens to help the OCSD and save the dept money. What does this LASD, i mean OCSD Sheriff do. Recall badges and ID’s. What does this accomplish…NOTHING! So now PSR’s are getting emaisl to volunteer, they do not have ID and cannot identifly themselves if a situation arises while volunteering.
Hutchen’s should turn in her badge and retire.
end of story!
As a full time deputy myself, I think this is a great move. I am so sick of these PSR’s showing up to events wearing their badges around their necks as if they are some hardcore cop working a specialty detail.
Sheriff Hutchens also needs to review the sworn Reserves. Many of these guys/gals are awful. If you’ve been to the fair recently you will know what I am talking about. Many of these Reserves are extremely overweight, or extremely old. They are a hazard to themselves and to their partners. I am extremely embarrassed to wear the same uniform they do. Other Reserves think their SUPERCOP.
Please Sheriff Hutchens, review the whole Reserve program.
The badges are a distraction. The couple of people that misused them, or that got issued because they were Carona buddies, had theirs pulled before Hutchens even applied.
The big news here is the Sheriff is pulling the PSR IDs. There has NEVER been an incident with ID’s being misused. If she wanted to change them for some reason, like to make them look even LESS like a police ID than it is now (and it doesn’t look ANYTHING like a police ID now) she would have done it gradually. Announced that they were changing, first chance a PSR has, please come in and drop off your old one and pick up a new one.
She didn’t do that. She just shut down the program without bothering to tell anyone. She revoked all volunteer IDs, effective immediately. We will see new PSR id’s - after she’s replaced in 2010.
OCSD was a wonderful organization about 50 years ago. Gates trashed it. Carona did nothing to restore it. Now Hutchens is rooting out everything that works in the department and crushing it. In 6 months she’ll take the result of her no-bid, non-competitive $250,000 jail audit and request $50 million for a no-bid, non-competitive contract for a new jail Guess who that will go to? Her main backer, Cedillos, the guy that’s in business building jails.
When they picked Hutchens the BOS jumped out of the frying pan and into the burning lake of radioactive lava.
Joe,
I’m sorry you’ve had such bad experiences with reserves.
I’m sure not all reserves are overweight, old or misunderstanding of their role within the OCSD organization. Just as not all full time deputies are overweight, callous or self-righteous. Some may be, but not all.
I’ve been to the fair but haven’t seen these that you speak of. From what I hear, the reserves program is valuable and should continue.
If you’re embarrassed to wear the same uniform, maybe you could switch over to one of those nice brown ones I’ve seen.
Just a thought…
A badge isn’t strictly necessary for PSRs. Name tags could be made that would serve the purpose of identifying someone as a PSR, in the same manner they’re used for various other organizations, and it would remove the question of whether they would/could be abused.
However, this recall seems pretty abrupt, and hints of elimination of the PSR program altogether. That’d be a shame for all of the volunteers who put in a lot of hours training for it. I’m all for getting rid of all traces of Carona-era corruption, but sh****ing on the honest people who have been donating their time to the sheriff’s department doesn’t seem like a smart way to go about it.
This was handled in the worst fashion. Just like the Sheriff’s news conference the other day introducing her command staff that she kicked off on the subject of CCWs. What the heck is that about?
This is another case of our new Sheriff shooting from the hip!
Let’s pull community volunteers badges and ID CARDS!!! Never mind we do not have replacement ID’s for them ready. Let’s send a cold worded email to them. Slap them all in the face. Yes them, the community members who went through back ground checks “Finger printed, references contacted, etc” and required training, just so they could give 16,000 hours of free time to the department.
Yeah so nice to have the Los Angeles Sheriffs Departement of Orange County. Thanks again BOS!
I don’t recall any of the PSR’s I work with ever showing up with a badge around their neck. Heck I forget to bring my badge most of the time because: 1) I’m not use to having one and 2) I rather let the guys with the badge and vest be the trouble magnet. I understand the sensitivity a sworn officer may have with non-sworn personnel wearing a badge. That is why I don’t wear mine. However, if that is the issue, then the Sheriff need to look at the badge issue globally in the county. Why are badges issued to other non-sworn personnel not being reviewed.
On the subject of age and fitness of reserve deputies, I was told by at the reserve recruiting meeting that the reserves must meet the same hiring standards as full time deputies. We run the PAT for the Sheriff SSO’s and we must have maximum 19% body fat before the department will hire. So we come in the under the same fitness requirement. However, I don’t know if there is a fitness requirement once a deputy is hired. Rather than singling out the reserves, your idea of reviewing age and fitness requirement should apply to the whole department, full time and reserves. An old and overweight full time deputy can get you kill too if he can’t keep up with you.
Sheriff Hutchens has done swiftly what no one else could while Carona was in power. Capt. Wilson could not if he wanted to. He may have even tried. Lt. Bradzik tried and when Carona said no he stopped issuing PSR badges. Before him it was the Reserve Lts. who came in with Haidl and Jaramillo and played ball.
Hutchens has made an easy decision that is tough to swallow for some and tough for her to deal with in certain circles. If this is an indicator of her value system the Sheriff’s Department is well on its way to healing and thriving again.
justbelowme Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 10:17 am
“Sam Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 9:37 am
There goes 16,000 hours of self funded community work out the window. Not to mention six figures in campaign contributions going to her 2010 opponent. It could have been handled a lot better.”
The PSRs did that many hours just so they can have a “shiny object” in their pocket or around their neck? Give me a break. She could have folded the program if she wanted to, but didn’t. She just took something away from the program that had absolutely nothing to do with the performance of it. They caused nothing but problems for the department. This is the only item on her already useless agenda since taking office that I agree with so far.
Hmm. Think you missed my point and might be a little misinformed as to what it is they do. (see above posts) I’m thinking the hard working and dedicated volunteers with the big shiney airplanes, boats, specialized gear or skills may be the ones that are sucessful in their endevors and probably have some wherewithall. The credentials have nothing to do with it. Then to get the Dear Azzhat letter might not of sat to well with them. How about comming up with a different form of “credentials” first? Now there is a thought. A letter advising of the Department’s concern and requesting emails with suggestions so as to place the matter under reveiw wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
“History Lesson” is right. Wilson did a good job at Reserves as he has elsewhere. He is also good enough of a guy that he admits Bardzik, (not Bradzik), took the heat from Carona for refusing to issue anymore PSR badges. And Bardzik is quick to say how much Capt. Board backed his play with Carona several times.
So all these good people doing what is right and what did it get them. Wilson was safe as the dirty work was done but Board and Bardzik get transferred. Board to a good assignment eventually and Bardzik banished overnight to courts since the badge issue led him to support Hunt. Which coincidently was Hunt’s # one campaign platform, not only no more PSR badges but no more PSRs.
Had it not been for Hutchens all these people’s sacrifice would have been for nothing. She is doing with ease what others could not at risk. Things are good again.
Sam’s pont is accurate. According to the LA Times info from requested records PSR Henry Samueli did zero hours in 2007 and 2006!
Was anyone paying attention? He got his badge for what? Giving Thousand of dollars to Carona’s campaign as the registrar’s office shows.
Thank you Sandra and everyone else involved in trying to fix this problem. Sorry for the ones that got screwed.
Under Carona, Haidl and Jaramillo were some people in the Sheriff’s department who did what they were told. They forgot their oath.
Kudos to Reserve-I think you hit the nail on the head with your comments. I hope there may come a time when I can come back to my home town to visit and I will feel safe again….
I just hope that I don’t have to turn in my wallet where the badge used to be. When I flash it, does not intimidate and I have gotten a lot of mileage out of it for many years…………..X Cop ruf ruf
So, where is the list of those that are to turn in their badges? Let’s see who’s on it.
Sandra shouldn’t have any problem turning the list over since “there is a new sheriff in town” unless she is just like our last one.
To Know Em All (Know it all?) and Regular (not average) Joe,
You represent the officious worst of the department. Have you ever noticed how many regulars may not be as fit and ready that you ’super studs’ must be. It is painfully aware to many volunteers that you resent them. It is generally felt that you maybe are worried about your ‘overtime’ pay.
The Community Services Division requires participation by the Reserves at the fair for example. When volunteers show up they hope they don’t get assigned with guys like you (Super studs ‘dicks’) to give their time; the department gets paid for their time to help augment your salaries. Yes, even for older guys.
How the hell can you generalize that they don’t work hard to learn and serve. You continue to make the point that you are a ‘hot shot’ trainer but you sure are not a leader. You will not get promoted by stepping on people, rather by being pushed up the ladder with those that respect you in and out of the department. You know what? We all know which of you have such a superior attitude.
Relax, you might not be as special as you think you are.
Doesn’t anyone get it…Sandra is just like Carona. Does anyone see what is going on? The Board of Supes do not want change in this County that is why they appointed her. They don’t want things to get better in O.C. because they are also accepting bribe’s. I think there are more important things to worry about like…say for instance the mob that is running Orange County.
Hey Fed Up with OC,
Why don’t you, in all of your infinite wisdom, back up your comments with some examples? You spew complaints like the average county worker who isn’t qualified enough to work in the private sector. Sounds like you’re a Democrat: telling people what’s wrong and who’s to blame for it. Instead of bitching, offer up some intelligent ideas. Otherwise, stay off this post and quit infecting the rest of us with your lack of wisdom.
Geesh…with all the gripping in these comments, no wonder there are problems in OC. Grow up OC and make another stupid reality show!!