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Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to PSRs: It’s nothing personal
August 22nd, 2008, 11:15 am · 37 Comments · posted by Tony Saavedra, Register investigative reporter
Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens may be taking back their badges, but she says she doesn’t for a minute doubt the dedication and value of the department’s 400 volunteer ”professional service responders.”
“I don’t want to lose a single PSR,” Hutchens told the OC Watchdog. “This has nothing to do with my trust in them.”
Hutchens repeated her recent assertions that the badges look too much like the ones given to deputies and come close, according to an opinion by the state attorney general’s office, to violating the law.
“When I see you with that badge around your neck, I’m going to look at that and I’m not going to question it. I’m going to assume you’re a cop,” she said.
Precisely.
That seemed to be the idea, according to recently released court documents, when indicted former sheriff Michael S. Carona created the program in 1999. Former assistant sheriff Don Haidl told federal prosecutors the plan was to give badges to big donors, who were annointed as “reserves.”
However, the state office in charge of police accreditation complained that those reserves did not have the required training. After years of battling with the state, Carona dropped the “reserves” designation and redesigned the badge at least twice to satisfy critics.
Thus was born the “professional service responders.” Despite its dark beginnings, Hutchens says the group has become a valuable resource of volunteers – from CEOs to car mechanics – offering their skills. Problem is, the group for most of its existance, has been allowed to manage itself.
“I trust what they do. I value what they do. I want to make it a stronger program with some good management,” she said.
That’s cool.
But the Watchdog still can’t imagine 70s-era comedian — and veteran PSR — Norm Crosby patrolling the Orange County Fair.
See our first post on the badges here.
See the full list of PSR’s here.
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So the PSR’s are valued, but they’ve run amok, and now need some good management??
Oh, Ms. Hutchens, sitting on the fence is a very delicate tactic that you need practice on. You have to be very careful about what you say, and you need to THINK before speaking or acting.
Whether you meant it or not, you have insulted a lot of people, and now are just doing more of the same. Jack Anderson was a pretty good manager of the program post-Carona, before your appointment.
A little back peddling are we? Are all these people the same?
I have a friend who is a doctor and an expert in bioterrorism and disasters who was a volunteer for this program. He was so offended by the way she treated all the PSR’s. He was not a donor to Mike Corona, nor did he get any benefits from the program. All he wanted to do is be able to help if we ever get attacked in OC. Hopefully she does not offend her rank and file officers the same way
“But the Watchdog still can’t imagine 70s-era comedian — and veteran PSR — Norm Crosby patrolling the Orange County Fair.”
and why not? Your an insulting gutter rat for taking such a cheap shot. You should go somewere else, like Berkley…
GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD bless Norm Crosby!
You go LA girl, and when you’re done, retire forever.
What Sheriff Hutchens has done with regard to PSR badges is correct. These volunteers should be issued picture ID cards instead of badges; and the ID cards should be clearly labeled “Sheriff’s Department VOLUNTEER”. That way there will be no confusion.
“….and come close, according to an opinion by the state attorney general’s office, to violating the law.”
I see. Now it’s illegal to come close to violating a law?
So, if no law is broken what needs fixing?… Oh yea’ Public Trust, the Jail System, a culture of silence and corruption.. silly stuff like that.. but but but this isn’t personal…
If these educated (I hope) people can’t see beyond the badge to realize they are valued for their abilities & time, they are truly insecure bunch. The ones that put more value in the badge than their abilites are really sick & should not have had one in the beginning. These people are beginning to sound like children that have had dangerous toys taken away. That badge can get you in more trouble that you would ever want to be in if it’s misused, so why else would they want it. We have a new classy Sheriff & I don’t doubt her for one minute, these volunteers will wind up with a very nice ID card.
..they don’t need badges……an ID card is fine….good decision sheriff…
The she-riff is in over her head. She continues to do the I’m-Not-Carona dance and doesn’t think before she steps. Great. We go from someone who was a calculating idiot to someone who is just an idiot. On another (ignored) subject, Ms. Hutchens, how are things going in the jails? How is morale? How are the lawsuits going? Have you explained away the boot mark on the face of Jason Gomez yet? His family doesn’t seem satisfied with the answers they’ve been getting. Oh, I know you are busy, busy, busy campaigning and pressing the flesh–like the debuttante you are! But try not to let that nasty sheriff’s department get in the way of your personal public relations tour! God knows, that’s your priority, right?
Oh, and you might want to change the title to a more appropriate one:
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to PSRs: “It’s nothing personal, it’s just politics!”
She’s a two faced politician. Oh yeah, that would be a redundant statement, sorry.
BTW Geezer, they are issued picture IDs. Where have you been?
And Whaz Up!, you missed the whole point weeks ago, it wasn’t about the “need for badges”, it was about the lack of respect from a Sheriff who didn’t bother to get the facts before she stepped in the poop.
When, oh when, are we going to just get beyond this whole focus on the freaking badges? The badges are gone, let’s drop it for crying out loud. They were NOT illegal, but they are GONE! END OF STORY!
Oh yeah, this is the OCR, it can’ be the end!
Is the photo of “a badge” on this story the actual badge that this whole story is all about? If it is, then this whole thing is just stupid! And paying Corona that much money for that stupid looking badge is just a moronic investment anyway! (did someone say … Jr. G-Man?)
Hey–Face up to it, your Board of Supervisors has hired a dyed-in-the-wool communist gun-grabber! Of course–she is from the Los Angeles cop community! She will make a name for herself BYGOD!
It absolutely is personal…! Badges are earned for merit and service. Stripping the PSR’s of their badges is equivalent to stripping the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts of their merit badges, or a soldier of his/her medals. It is disrespectful and contrary to the American culture.
The sheriff is doing the right thing. Only reason you hear all this whining and sniveling is because the aura of the Sheriff’s Department is now removed from these people.
You want that badge?? Earn the g.d. thing. Most of these PSR’s (a ridiculous name) just want to get out of a ticket. It’s an age-old scam.
God, I’m so glad I don’t live in that “little slice of heaven” called Orange County anymore. And so are all my friends who have moved to find the real America elsewhere. Gangland to the north and Plasticville to the south.
you go girl!
Carona Redux I hope you’re not a deputy.
Once again the OCR shows they hate OCSD and has total disregard for the safety of others. I agree the PSR’s should only have ID’s, but why were their names published? Also, the names of others sworn reserves were publish and why! Now you have put these good men and woman at risk!!! I hope this back fires on OCR. Let OCSD clean their own house for once. I am not sure the new Sheriff is handling things right but I am not going to judge her yet. A lot of these PSR’s and they do great work and they are not money givers to the department. They really wanted to help out their county and YOU are painting all of them as fund raisers for the Sheriff and that is just wrong.
She changes her mind a lot….just like a ……….
Sheriff who has no idea what she is doing. She must stick her hand out her window every morning to see which way the wind is blowing.
Good job Moorlach and company. Can’t wait till the next round of elections to start cleaning house.
is this the same sheriff that wants to to pull the gun permits of law abiding citizens and, only, let the criminals have guns?
they were hired by corona cuz he was filthy dirty corrupt PIG. so who cares if she fires them all . i want a badge so i can be corrupt, maybe i should sign up with all you people acting like your so entitled to power
I am a PSR and I worked hard for my badge. It wasn’t a gift. Maybe the Sheriff should have looked at compliance lists first - who hasn’t put in their 16 hours a year? Are you kidding - I put in more than that every month!!! Check the compliance reports. A FEW of the PSRs behaved badly - most of us are hard-working citizens. Sheriff Hutchens - we are disappointed in you! I also am concerned for the safety of my family - you see, we are a law enforcement family. Our sanctuary has been violated by this intrusive behaviour. I thought you were going to take your first 90 days in office and do an evaluation of the whole department. Instead, the volunteers that give so much are being punished and embarrassed. Thanks a lot.
“Problem is, the group for most of its existance, has been allowed to manage itself.”
Last time I check (yesterday) I have two lieutenant’s, one captain and assistant sheriff in the chain of command at community service. This is separate of my unit command which a captain, two lieutenants and more than four sargents.
The current bad was designed by Captain Dave Wilson and Jim Palmer, this was done after the AG opinion came out.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 780 BADGES? The supes, Judges, city managers, city council etc. NONE OF THESE HAVE PC 830.1,2,3,4 OR CA-POST Certs.
SHEriff, do the right thing, pull them all, INCLUDING retired deputies!
# Lawman Says:
The sheriff is doing the right thing. Only reason you hear all this whining and sniveling is because the aura of the Sheriff’s Department is now removed from these people.
You want that badge?? Earn the g.d. thing. Most of these PSR’s (a ridiculous name) just want to get out of a ticket. It’s an age-old scam.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You have got to be the most ignorant imbecile Ive never had the displeasure to meet. Look at that badge again, would YOU let someone “out of a ticket”, after showing you that? For your information, those of us who have been and still continue to VOLUNTEER our time for the department, did earn the “g.d. thing”. They aren’t “paid for” as some insist on claiming, my bank account is not any lighter than the day I was sworn in. But that just shows the mentality of many OCR readers, typical “arm chair quarterbacks”. Just stay there in the dark and keep eating up the BS, like a mushroom.
O-Frame,
I don’t you are in Law Enforcement because your English is poor. If you are, then you need to go back and take a report writing class. Do not attack retired Deputies. They earned that right to have a retired badge. Captain Wilson did an incredible job while he ran the reserves. Be correct PSR’s are not reserves. They are civilian volunteers that donate their time and 99% of them do a great job and add value to the department. Pulling all the badges isn’t the answer. Allowing civilians having a badge is, but give them an ID that shows they are part of the LE family.
I am sick and tired of OCR tearing down LE and having no disregard of the safety of those that serve this county. They should be ashamed and hope they get sued for this blatant disregard for those that serve this county.
All you LE haters, remember this. You will get the same service of protection as those that support them. The new Sheriff, has made a knee jerk reaction and I am afraid that this will come back to bite her when a new election happens.
Sorry, John Hewitt. Clearly I struck a nerve with your little mind. Also, you haven’t met me, so I think the problem here is you simply don’t know what you’re talking about. And no, I never let any reserve or civilian volunteer out of a ticket. I figured if they got stopped in the first place, they’re not on top of things, and they deserve the cite. Pay attention now when the big boys who’ve been there speak to you and teach you, ok?
Now I’ve figured it out. Lawman is another of those gestapo BS cops, the kind that make a bad name for the rest. And BTW, since you don’t know me, don’t ever ASSUME that I haven’t worn the “other” badge. Just because I’m not LE now, does not mean that I haven’t been. So YOU better pay attention and stop being so “holier than thou”. You obviously are another “suck up” who wants to be noticed.
Might as well take the uniforms that the cadets, explorers, and reserves wear cuz they look like “REAL” law enforcement personel.
Sorry Junior. You know nothing of which you speak. I see you want to assume things about me and call names. I never sucked up, I never was a B.S. gestapo officer. I just did the work and had a great time. It’s too bad you’re such an angry bitter little troll. Me?? Happy as a clam and laughing at mad little kids like you who got their little badge taken away. I have never been in favor of you people having anything other than a laminated ID card. This sheriff is going to be a good one. She’s got it.
If they are truly volunteers, who gave nothing but their time and knowledge, then they should be perfectly happy with receiving an ID card that acknowledges them as VOLUNTEERS for the Orange County Sheriffs Department. I mean they are the ones who are doing it because they want to help… not for any other reason… However, if they were people who gave to someone’s campaign and wanted a badge in return, then I can see why they don’t want to be in the program any more… not getting anything for it huh?
My sentiments exactly, NorthOCLady! Few things better than a smart lady.
And by the way, for the edification of Jess, cadets and explorers wear uniforms that look absolutely nothing like the uniforms of the deputies. The reserves wear a deputy’s uniform because a reserve is in fact, a deputy, albeit at the reserve level.
Jess… Reserves are “real” LEO’s.
Unbelievable… Clearly anyone who is opposed to PSR’s having badges which are unlike the sworn sheriff badges, has never volunteered for anything, never done community service, never run a business, and never managed people.
Orange County and ALL its residents receive millions of dollars of benefit from volunteers including medical doctors, chaplains, pilots & planes, search and rescue, and a whole host of other volunteer services, for the small price a few $20 dollar badges and genuine recognition for a job well done.
Oh b.s.! How can you generalize and say ANYONE who doesn’t agree with your opinion has never volunteered, etc???
You have no idea what everybody here has done. Unbelievable the crap I see here. I was not aware that the payoff for volunteering and giving to the community was a badge. I thought the payoff was the personal satisfaction. Silly me, huh??
I didn’t become an officer many years ago at the ripe old age of 22 to receive a badge. I did it to throw crooks in jail and have a positive effect on the community in doing so. They can have the badge. Hell, I don’t even know where mine is anymore.
I have been a disaster volunteer for over forty years. Never needed a badge, or for that matter, the thanks and platitudes always thrown about afterwards. I volunteer for the sheer satisfaction of helping someone/people in need. What really bothers me though is the extremely large number of government entities and/or representatives of such, like sheriff, police, highway patrol, etc. who show up just to milk the overtime. Good example are the recent fires. I was working at the Incident Command Base Camps for both the Santiago fire, last year, and the fires we just finished up with today; at both incidents the sheriff, police, etc. could quite possibly have outnumbered the actual firemen and fire fighters who actually had reason to be there … … One more reason our local government will be coming to us the tax payer for more of our hard earned income. Lets hope this new sheriff cleans up this act along also.