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Who’s who in the badge fracas
August 18th, 2008, 3:36 pm · 51 Comments · posted by Tony Saavedra, Register investigative reporter
You want it, you got it.
The OC Watchdog has sniffed out the roster of the Orange County Sheriff’s professional service responders who’ve been asked to turn back their badges. You can view that list here: psr reserves. You also asked for the names of PSRs who reported their badges lost or stolen. Here you go: badges
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said at a meeting Saturday with the PSRs that her predecessor, indicted sheriff Mike Carona, should never have given out these badges. Hutchens referred to a state attorney general’s office opinion that civilians should not be given badges that could be mistaken for those carried by law enforcement.
However, OC Watchdog notices that the PSR badges are emblazoned with the word, “civilian,” in large letters and bear no rese
mblance to the stars carried by sworn deputies. But decide for yourself: 
Maybe Hutchens should stop trying to find politically correct excuses and admit the real reason she is taking back the badges: Carona used them to generate political contributions and she is trying to clean up the resulting ‘buy-a-badge’ scandal.
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Oh my, I lost my badge honey. Guess I can’t go to work.
By the way, did you find my gun. I guess I lost that too!
I thought her name was “Sandra” LOL, Good job OCR
These civilian badges are not the ones for purchase. Those 86 badges were pull back years ago.
If she is going to pull badges, get all of them. Judges, BOS, City Managers, her press agent etc. well over 1,000. other than PSR’s have badges. Theirs are a exact copy of a deputies badge, the name is just different.
“Carona used them to generate political contributions and she is trying to clean up the resulting ‘buy-a-badge’ scandal.”
What? Did I miss giving out a contribution that was mandatory? The only contribution I have given after all these years is my time.
Kudos for reporting that the badges look nothing like the badges carried by the sworn, but you failed to mention anything about the NON-SWORN badges that were given out by the Orange County Sheriffs Department to BOS members, contract City Council Members, chaplains, cadets and much more. You might want to take a look at how those badges look EXACTLY like the sworn deputy badges.
I got news for you reserves that were on the up and up. . Some of the PSR’s have thrown their weight around over the years. Flashed their PSR badge and then started name-dropping.
I think the OCSD needs to recall ALL the badges.
There’s a reason why the CA General Attorney’s office sent out a warning. It’s called liability.
Much ado about nothing, Right LA girl?
You should notice some familiar names…
Senator Correa, the Makarechians (builders of the REGIS), Amorino’s wife, I would love to see how many hours they volunteered…
the owner of Peppino’s, Joseph Moscateillo lost his badge. Where does he find the time to run restaurants and be a reserve? He is “wiseguy” and more likely still has the badge…
Just one time I would like to see this topic NOT link or misrepresent PSR’s and RESERVES.
They are NOT THE SAME THING!
O-Frame Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
These civilian badges are not the ones for purchase. Those 86 badges were pull back years ago.
________________________________________________
O-Frame,
Out of curiosity, what did those original 86 badges say on the ribbon?
These were the Reserve Deputies that were decertified because they didn’t meet the 1999 POST training requirement changes, correct?
What ever happened to these Reserves?
For what it’s worth, I was issued my Professional Services Civilian Responder (PSR) badge by Jack Anderson not Mike Carona.
I have never donated a dime to any Sheriff’s candidate.
I didn’t vote for Mike Carona.
I resent being accused of buying a badge.
I resent even more the fact that my boss didn’t get her facts right before she shot from the hip on this whole debacle and painted us all with a broad brush.
I was glad to return my badge as ordered by the Sheriff through the media channels!
Now when can we return our Sheriff to LA???????
I think Sheriff Hutchens should turn her badge in. She is making the Orange County Sheriffs department look TERRIBLE.
The problem is NOT the PSR’s or the PSR Badges. The Problem is the Sheriff herself.
Badge-less PSR Says:
“For what it’s worth, I was issued my Professional Services Civilian Responder (PSR) badge by Jack Anderson not Mike Carona.”
I have never donated a dime to any Sheriff’s candidate.
I didn’t vote for Mike Carona.
I resent being accused of buying a badge.
I resent even more the fact that my boss didn’t get her facts right before she shot from the hip on this whole debacle and painted us all with a broad brush.
Ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto!
Especially the last one. There’s still so much hype out there about the freaking badges. Forget the badges, what about the lack of respect and the never ending criticism from those that don’t even have a clue as to what they are talking about and the Hutchens suck ups that only want their new boss to like them. Let’s see who has the last laugh.
Heather Says “Now when can we return our Sheriff to LA???????”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heather, you are a smart woman. You have THE simple solution to Orange County Sheriff Dept’s problem.
I truly wonder if Sheriff Sandra Hutchens reads these articles. If so, is she that IGNORANT to the fact that everything she has done is NOT in the best interest of Orange County. Everything she has said or done is in the best interest of herself only!
EJECT HUTCHENS! or perhaps she can grow a set and turn HER badge in like others have said.
Looking at the PSR Badge and OCSD Deputy badges, it is absolutely OBVIOUS to me that someone showing off a PSR badge is in no way a Peace Officer. The badges look too different to be confused with each other.
badge-less PSR says
Out of curiosity, what did those original 86 badges say on the ribbon?
These were the Reserve Deputies that were decertified because they didn’t meet the 1999 POST training requirement changes, correct?
What ever happened to these Reserves?
_________________________________________________
The original badge said reserve. They were all removed from the POST data base. They left the program.
Opinions are like a–holes…everybody’s got one. But before you start spouting off with your opinions, may be you should read the Jerry Brown’s Attorney General’s Opinion No. 06-307, and certainly you should read P.C. 538d and 538e.
Jerry Brown’s Opinion: His opinion was asked by Riverside District Attorney weather “a sheriff’s gift of an honorary badge to a private citizen violate California law?” As a working PSR who provides over 200 hours of time to the county and the Sheriff’s Department, I was given a badge for identification purposes. A GIFT can not be rescinded and a GIFT belongs to the receipent. My badge came with an employment agreement, a requirement to pass a background check and to provide the department with a minimum number of hours of work. Failure of these would result in my termination and return of the badge, ID and any other issued equipment.
Penal Code 538d and 538e allows for the issuance of badges to non-peace officer as long as they would not “deceive an ordinary reasonable person.” My badge, identical to the one pictured above on the left, in very large letters, states CIVILIAN. Any ORDINARY REASONABLE person who sees this can not mistaken me for a peace officer. One could argue that some might mistaken the badge for a peace officer’s badge but the penal code and the attorney general’s opinion very clearly uses the ORDINARY REASONABLE person rule, not the entire general public.
Unfortunately, the media has no concept of the truth and even in this blog, blatently confuses the public (purposely or not) by calling PSR’s as reserves, which we are not. So what am I? I am the guy who helps you at the airport find your luggage. I am the guy who finds your missing child. I am the guy who rescues the lost hiker on a cold winter night. I am the guy who helps the bomb squad perfect the robot. I am the guy who provides medical aid to your neighbor. I am the guy who helped evacuate canyon residents during the fires. I am the guy who found the evidence in the murder that happend in your community. I am the guy who is helping make Orange County better. For those of you who bash the PSR’s, what have you done to make your community better?
Are there “bad” citizens serving as PSR’s? Probably, but also probably at a smaller percentage than what is out there in the community.
My opinion is that Sheriff Hutchens should realize that the current badges fall within P.C. 538d and 538e and the Attorney General’s opinion and allow the badges to be honorably worn by the outstanding PSR’s, and that she should stand proudly with the PSR’s and defend them against the biased media. And finally, she should tighten the reporting requirements of the PSR’s so as to weed out those who are in this for the wrong reasons. These imporatant steps would accomplish all that she is trying to accomplish: getting rid of any left over Carona-era PSR’s, and keeping the PSR’s who want to continue to donate their time and expertise to the department.
WOW! Those PSR badges look so much like an OC Sheriff Deputy badge. I could see why some ignorant OC folks can get duped into believing PSR’s are real cops. If people are that stupid, I am going to use my Knott’s Berry Farm badge to get a discount at Burger King.
I was at the Costa Mesa gun show last weekend. There was a vendor selling all types of badges. Some were real police badges some were not. I saw some OCSD deputies walk by this vendor and not flinch. It is not against the law to own a badge people!
Who are Carona’s friends?
The list seemed got them all in it.
The corruption is terrible, the praise should go to the new
Sheriff who cleaned up the mess
Who think new Sheriif Hutchens got the problems should be investigated for any corruption linked to Sheriff Mike
Hutchen did a wonderful job that I never see before with the
OC Sheriff Department in making sure that she does not
tolerate the corruption
August 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
PTL said:
“I think Sheriff Hutchens should turn her badge in. She is making the Orange County Sheriffs department look TERRIBLE. The problem is NOT the PSR’s or the PSR Badges. The Problem is the Sheriff herself.”
__________________________________________________
On just what do you base this comment, PTL? I think you, “Dr. Moss” and “Heather” should move to LA. Your comments are all ignorant and based on nothing. Lose your badges, did you?
Well, after being “spoon fed” a ration of sensitivity from our leader (Sheriff Hutchens) many of us in attendance at Saturday’s meeting (yet another example of our dedication and sacrifice) are not satisfied with the logic being employed regarding PSRs and their role in the OCSD. As you may already know, a “Blue Ribbon” committee was solicited by Sheriff Hutchens to submit suggestions for acceptable identification and attire to enable PSRs to serve this community effectively. Unfortunately, before the dust could settle, I learned Monday evening that the Orange County Register published the complete list of PSRs by name. This certainly begs the question: Sheriff Hutchens, how could this happen?
In my opinion, this breakdown in information control not only puts a target on our backs as “quasi-members” of law enforcement , it exposes all of us and our families to unimaginable consequences. Additionally, this breach in protocol is unprofessional, denigrating, and slanderous to those of us that are now known by name in the community as political opportunists. I am concerned that this breakdown in trust is a clear example that Sheriff Hutchens’ desire to fix something that wasn’t broken has created more problems.
It is clear that under her leadership, the department has more problems than we can imagine, and I for one do not appreciate being thrown to the wolves while having my personal and professional reputation tarnished. There is simply no excuse for this and both Sheriff Hutchens and the Orange County Register should and will be held accountable.
To make matters worse, our Sheriff stated in an interview with the Register that her decision to confiscate the PSR badges was predicated on an opinion from the Attorney General’s office. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Attorney General (Edmond “Jerry” Brown, but rather an underling Deputy AG). According to the Orange County Register Sheriff Hutchens said:
In August 2007, Deputy Atty. Gen. Marc J. Nolan wrote that the “gift of an honorary badge to a private citizen violates California law if the badge … would deceive an ordinary reasonable person into believing that is authorized for use by a peace officer.”
I certainly don’t wish to speak for anyone, however, I believe the facts are very simple: 1) A Deputy Attorney General opinion is just that, an opinion and not law, 2) The badges issued by the department “were not gifts.” We suffered through extensive background checks; training and orientation as defined by the department, raised our right hands and swore an oath, and committed innumerable volunteer hours and additional training. By any definition, these badges were not gifts, but earned by each of us to effectively help the OCSD serve this community.
Sheriff Hutchens’ view of the Deputy Attorney General’s “OPINON” paired with the publishing of our names are clearly illustrative of her desire to not just throw the baby out with the bath water, but to openly deceive those of us who have behaved honorably and selflessly while ensuring that our reputations and credibility are impugned and tarnished. What possible reason could there be for such a blatant disregard for our privacy and personal security by our dedicated and caring leader?
Every PSR I have met since being allowed into the department has demonstrated the utmost respect for the OCSD and the men and women who are committed to protect the citizens of Orange County. To be denied the common courtesy of ensuring our privacy leaves me speechless. I fear that the time has come for every citizen, PSR and non-PSR alike, to let Sheriff Hutchens know that this unbelievable breach of protocol and professional courtesy is unacceptable and will not be taken lightly.
I for one am not willing to be the community’s whipping-boy because I supported the OCSD and its previous leadership. To be accused of “buying” a badge is insulting enough, but for Sheriff Hutchens to disrespect us further is unconscionable. If, under Sheriff Hutchens’ leadership, the department cannot control a list of 400+ names of PSRs, how can we depend upon her ability to ensure that criminal evidence is protected, inmates are monitored, and our freedoms and rights preserved?
I fear that Sheriff Hutchens’ “Ready / Fire / Aim” approach to her dealings with the PSR program is simply the harbinger of things to come. Each day this slope grows increasingly more slippery. If unchecked, Sheriff Hutchens’ overt good intentions will not merely result in our reputations being maligned, but more importantly, subject us to consequences too disturbing to imagine – harassment, public humiliation, lost jobs, lost credibility, and even possible physical assaults by those that “simply hate law enforcement and those that support it” – remember, everybody knows our names!
The next step is clear. We need to come together as a group and represent a united front. Personally, since it is her department, Sheriff Hutchens’ may keep my badge and do with it as she desires. However, her rights end there. At no time have I empowered Sheriff Hutchens with the right to jeopardize me, my family or my friends in her misguided effort to prove a point, repay some political obligation, castigate Michael Carona, or prepare for her reelection.
I encourage every citizen in Orange County to work together in forging an alliance that will hold those that “Serve at our pleasure” accountable and responsible.
May God bless and protect the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff Department.
I would LOVE to see a story compiling the misuses of the PSR badge… anyone remember the little Stephen Mensinger debacle at John Wayne a few years ago? CLASSIC!
This is simply irresponsible journalism
Amazing how so many people from the same family both “lost” their badges.
Stephen Mensinger? You mean the badges and position as a PSR was abused by people? As little as two years ago? Mensinger was a political cronie of Mike Carona. He was somebody in it for the badge because he donated to Carona. He was not a true volunteer.
justbelowme Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Amazing how so many people from the same family both “lost” their badges.
______________________________________________
I don’t know the facts but do you think it’s possible that some of the people on the list may have dropped out of the program, moved out of the county or died and not left a forwarding address? Could there be a logical explanation? Could some of them believe the badges were a gift and therefore belong to them so they want to keep their gifts? Can a gift be taken back?
I looked at both lists and I found that 24 of the 47 missing badges are not on the PSR list. Could it be they lost different badges (other than PSR badges)?
If these folks filed a false police report they should be prosecuted. If they have a different opinion about giving back a “gift” so be it. I can be handled privately not in the newspapers.
I don’t like my name being made public with this cloud of guilt either.
Shameful thing to do to people you trust.
“I can be handled privately not in the newspapers.”
I should have said, IT can be handled …………………..
I turned mine in last Saturday.
Who are the celebrities on this list or other well known people?
I only recognize Botach’s name. His company, Botach Tactical, ripped off a few of my friends and they have a lot of complaints against them at the BBB.
Hey, 400+ people have just found their new Good Cause for a CCW!!!
“I have been publicly associated with a scandelous program, and may become the target of violence or harassment as a result.”
Hey, since Hutchens wasn’t voted in, she’s not a real Sheriff. Maybe she wants the PSR badge for her own?
This is such a lame “scandal.” If someone flashed that badge to me expecting special treatment I would laugh in their face. Move on OC Register, find a real scandal.
Enough already.
Greedy little Miguel Corona sold these badges and he kept the money. Simple as that.
Why didn’t she just tape a target on the backs of each of these people?! Unbelievably reckless behavior on Hutchens’ part as well as on the part of the Register. I understand the Register printing it because of the ‘news’ factor but to have the information even make it that far is inexcusable. I canceled my subscription. Too bad we can’t cancel Hutchens’ appointment.
I recognize one name on the list (I think) as a multimillionaire roofing contractor . Otherwise I don’t recognize any others.
Frankly I don’t disapprove of this act by the sheriff. Her exact reasons and ‘intell’ are unknown to me, however, she may want to clear the field and fire everyone then start the process anew. Truly deserving PSR’s will re-emerge and ‘others’ will be weeded out. Considering the distrust most people have for the Carona era sheriff’s department, it may be the only way she can get control of problems that are very difficult (and tremendously expensive) to solve on a case by case basis. Egos aside, she needs to cut it off and let it grow back based on her rules, she is the boss.
To paint a clearer picture the OCR should add a column to their list and show who donated to Carona and how much. Would be interesting reading.
what the hell… that doesnt look anything like a legitimate sheriff’s badge, like the kind Carona gave away to his crony buddies. what’s the big deal then!! stupid!
I realize my name is a matter of public record. It’s the ongoing bad press that keeps throwing the whole PSR program under the bus I have a problem with.
The public perception is that we are guilty of something. They don’t know what and it really don’t matter.
The department is doing nothing to erase that perception. In fact, it seems like it’s doing the opposite. I think the Sheriff knows the press is in a feeding frenzy and she keeps throwing chum (PSRs) in the water.
I believe the PSR program will eventually self destruct. Another “problem” solved. She has returned the department to where it once again has the publics trust. Mission accomplished. [As she pats herself on the back on the way to the 2010 election.]
I don’t think anyone would deny that some PSRs are truly interested in the betterment of their community, and that is an honorable goal. However, there is a perception that some badge holders are unworthy, or even worse, criminally using their badges. Rather than evaluate each individual case, it is much easier to simply pull back all of the badges in a program with questionable grounds in the first place. There is nothing that stops badge holders from helping their communities with or without a badge… a lot of people involved in non-profit organizations and community outreach organizations do this every day. I think what former badge holders are mostly upset about is losing an emblem that represents their commitment to a worthy program, and that their contributions are not being respected. I am sure this is not the intent of the sheriff. I think she is trying to move as quickly as possible on her promise of cutting out corruption from her department. PSR badges are admittedly low-hanging fruit, but it is also evidence that she is pursuing what she said she would do, and I don’t think anyone can claim that cleaning up the corruption is not necessary. Kudos to Sandra for taking steps in the right direction.
I am not / was not a badge holder but it would suck to lose it; it would be fun to show friends, family, etc.; something that reflected my contributions & commitment to the community. I know it may be a lame consolation prize, but maybe some hats or t-shirts could be printed by an organized group of former PSRs; like the hats that navy vets wear with the ship names printed on them.
To those who feel that the Sheriff is doing the right thing in destroying the PSR program in hopes of starting one of her own, I hope you are willing to step up and apply to the new program. I hope you are willing to submit to being finger printed. I hope you are willing to submit to a background check. I hope you are willing to go through the required training. I hope you are willing to get up in the middle of the night to help people who think you are a crook and bought the position. If you are not willing, you have no right to comment about people you do not know. You have no right to question our motives.
“PSR Volunteer” said;
Wow, your statements are interesting. Is this sentiment pervasive in the group? Simply stating we “have no right to comment” and we “have no right to question” disappoints me. Maybe you are upset that the new sheriff reviewed your program at all. Do you all feel she has no right to modify the PSR program, period? But anyway, the statements seem inappropriate considering this forum is designed specifically for comments and questions. I sense from the anti-sheriff postings you feel betrayed after your alleged devoted service. I do feel sympathy the list with full names was released to the public. After reading the impassioned comments I now feel that was a huge mistake on the part of the sheriff unless it turns out it was leaked unbeknownst to her.
You need to understand that the PSR program was never a badge for money scheme. It was the previous reserve program with the real OCSD Reserve badge. The Sheriff took action without knowing the history. Unfortunately, the history has been loss to some of the readers and the commenters on this forum as well. The name and the badge was created to comply with applicable laws. It is easy for those who are not involved to paint the whole group as corrupt. My question is: do you know what you are talking about? Do you know the time and effort was have put in just so we can volunteer our time? Why throw the whole group under the bus? Getting people to volunteer their time is not an easy task. How many people do you think I can recruit with such poor management?
Mr. Thomas Banks,
As a PSR who volunteers hours for the OCSD and has no political ties to anyone, I thank you for your letter and feel the same. Everyone should realize this a political stunt by Sandra Hutchens that has gone way to far and could potentially threaten the safety of PSR’s
I am surprised that no one remembers that the Sheriff is an elected official . If you don’t support her don’t vote for her or contribute money to her election campaign
# nosmo king Says:
I am surprised that no one remembers that the Sheriff is an elected official . If you don’t support her don’t vote for her or contribute money to her election campaign
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you just wake up today? She WAS NOT elected, she was appointed.
And you can bet that I WILL NOT contribute to or vote for her!
John Hewitt Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Did you just wake up today? She WAS NOT elected, she was appointed.
And you can bet that I WILL NOT contribute to or vote for her
——————————————————————————————
Yes, appointed by the BOS and they ARE elected officials.
No one that voted to appoint Sheriff Hutches nor the Sheriff herself will get my vote in 2010.
The deputies new badges do resemble the ones that were provided to the PSRs. The deputies new badges have a circle around the star. Theyr’e provided for their wallets.
The new Sheriff is cleaning up house and It needs to be done and if any of the PSR’s feel their name is being demolished then resign your post and volunteer at your local library . It’s volunteer work just like being a PSR..Give the new Sheriff time to prove herself and see what she has planned for the future of law enforcement.
sporty123, you talk like someone without a clue. Don’t patronize me. “Volunteer at your local library”, if you only knew what PSRs do, you wouldn’t be so freaking cavalier with your words. And BTW, the SHEriff has already begun to “prove herself” as a loser. I only hope to God that HER plans for the future of law enforcement never see the light of day.