The SHEriff in hot water with CA-POST

[Gladiator]

Sheriff special officers lose arrest powers in state tussle | officers, sheriff, special - The Orange County Register


Published: June 28, 2012 Updated: 4:59 p.m.

Sheriff special officers lose arrest powers in state tussle

By TONY SAAVEDRA

Hundreds of special officers for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have lost their ability to make arrests after state regulators questioned whether they were adequately trained.

The state commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training notified Sheriff Sandra Hutchens in May that the department’s 200 special officers may not meet minimum requirements for training. The officers have limited police powers and provide security at John Wayne Airport, county courthouses and county buildings. They undergo four months of academy training, while full deputies undergo six months.


POST also requires that the department notify the agency whenever a deputy or special officer is hired or terminated, which the department has not done with the special officer classification.

In response to the commission’s concerns, Hutchens on Wednesday took away, for the time being, the special officers’ ability to make arrests. Under previous guidelines, the officers were allowed to make misdemeanor arrests if a deputy wasn’t available. Hutchens also sidelined the officers’ ability to write misdemeanor tickets. And Hutchens took away their ability to carry weapons while off duty, suggesting they apply for a concealed weapon permit from the department.

The changes will remain in effect while Hutchens, the commission and the Orange County Employees Association work out a plan to handle the training concerns, said Assistant Sheriff Timothy Board.

Meanwhile, Board said the officers’ pay would remain the same and the public would not likely see any change in service.

“It really doesn’t affect their jobs. It’s only been the last two years that they’ve been able to make arrests,” Board said “Really, we’re just going back to two years ago.”

In a statement to employees, Hutchens wrote, “Our Sheriff Special Officers’ contributions to the department and the community have been immeasurable. They have been and continue to be crucial to the effective and efficient operation of the department.”

Nick Berardino, head of the employees union, said his agency is looking at the situation and whether Hutchens was legally correct in taking away the officers’ ability to carry a concealed weapon off-duty.

[Tom98915]

They say a department is only as good as the one running it.

HMM....

[wac220]

Originally Posted by Tom98915

They say a department is only as good as the one running it.

HMM....

Come on, don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

[David2531]

They are only going back to years come on we all no that moving backwards instead of forward is the best thing for everyone.. Again all I can say is WOW!

[davbog44]

"And Hutchens took away their ability to carry weapons while off duty, suggesting they apply for a concealed weapon permit from the department."

I find this an interesting comment. Based on the way the OC Sheriff's Department views CCW these days, what would be their good cause? I miss getting to carry a gun? Also, what if some of them are employed by OCSD, but live in another nearby County? Would they even be able to apply with OCSD?

To be honest, I wouldn't have any problem with these people carrying off duty anymore than I would ANY responsible and well trained adult, but I find her comment a little confusing given what her attitude towards CCW seems to be.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by davbog44

"And Hutchens took away their ability to carry weapons while off duty, suggesting they apply for a concealed weapon permit from the department."

I find this an interesting comment. Based on the way the OC Sheriff's Department views CCW these days, what would be their good cause? I miss getting to carry a gun? Also, what if some of them are employed by OCSD, but live in another nearby County? Would they even be able to apply with OCSD?

To be honest, I wouldn't have any problem with these people carrying off duty anymore than I would ANY responsible and well trained adult, but I find her comment a little confusing given what her attitude towards CCW seems to be.

Just a heads up - this thread is 6 months old...