Hutchens cites improvements in O.C. jails, defends decreased gun permits

Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens doesn’t yet have a 2010 election opponent, but she laid out what appeared to be blueprint today for how she plans to win voter approval.

Using the end of her first year in office as the hook, Hutchens cited a number of changes she’s made in jail management, claimed to have restored public trust in the office and said she’d fire any deputy caught lying in so-called code of silence situations.

She also touched briefly on her handling of concealed weapons permits, saying there are roughly 200 fewer than a year ago. About half of the reduction resulted from her review. 

The issues have been the most publicized and, in some cases, the most controversial in Hutchens’ first 12 months in office. The Board of Supervisors appointed her to fill the term of Michael Carona, who was convicted this year of witness tampering and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in federal prison.

A retired division chief in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department when appointed, Hutchens has never run for office.

Hutchens inherited a much-maligned jail management system, underscored by the October 2006 beating death of Theo Lacy jail inmate John Chamberlain at the hands of other inmates. A county grand jury and the Orange County district attorney issued a scathing rebuke of some deputies’ failure to do their jobs and later impeding an investigation of Chamberlain’s death, including lying to the grand jury.

Hutchens, flanked by her six-man command staff, said the changes include installing digital cameras in key locations and replacing paper logs of deputies’ activities with electronic logs that can’t be altered. Supervisory sergeants and lieutenants will inspect the jails more frequently on each shift and sergeants will work with the same deputies on each shift for more continuity, she said.

Addressing another grand jury finding, Hutchens said deputies won’t be allowed “nonprofessional Internet access” while on duty. The grand jury found that some deputies ignored many of their duties and instead watched TV and movies or played video games — and in some cases slept — in their guard stations.

Jailers will be expected to identify “shot callers” among the inmates — the common term for prisoners who come to assume jailhouse control over fellow inmates. Any jail staffer will be required to inform his or her supervisor in a timely manner if another staffer uses force on an inmate, Hutchens said. The district attorney’s office will investigate any jail-related incidents where death or life-threatening injuries occur.

Much of the early criticism aimed at Hutchens involved her publicized effort to review concealed weapons permits.

She dispatched with the issue quickly today, saying she took it on early in her tenure to erase public concerns that “guns were given away to friends of the sheriff” and said the permits have declined from more than 1,000 to fewer than 900.

The “code of silence” issue arose in April when an Orange County District Attorney’s spokeswoman took the unusual step of saying publicly that deputies changed their stories in an assault case, forcing prosecutors to drop charges against a veteran deputy after jurors couldn’t reach a verdict.

While originally angered by the remarks, Hutchens showed none of that today. She said the investigation into the incident is continuing.

-- Dana Parsons

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[CMRepublican]

Hutchens did indeed try to establish her own gun control agenda early in her stint as appointed sheriff. The public has a much longer memory than that though. She will have to face serious questions about her judgment and personal political agenda regarding CCW policies. She has made it clear that she doesn't want anyone other than police to carry firearms. This will not play well in her bid to become the elected sheriff.

[Poogsdad]

Because of the pressure put on Sandra Hutchens by OCCCWS and other local, state, and national groups, more and more insights into the real Sandra Hutchens have emerged.

It is now apparent that "The Real Sandra Hutchens" is not the same one the BOS was duped into appointing.

Given what has come to light regarding Sandra Hutchens since her appointment, the motives, intelligence, and integrity of anyone who chooses to support her may be subject to ever increasing scrutiny, and rightfully so.

We are judged by the company we keep. You cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends and associates. A conscious choice to associate yourself with someone of questionable character or limited moral fiber is a reflection on you and you should be held accountable for that choice.

Recently some Southern California Politicians and other prominent people in the community choose to support Sandra Hutchens in her efforts to raise campaign funds. These politicians are now being scrutinized and held accountable for these actions, not just here, but in Sacramento as well. Those business persons who made this choice are also being held accountable by consumers who may or may not continue to do business with them.

It is the right of anyone who supports Sandra Hutchens to do so and I respect that right. You should recognize and accept the reality that you may open yourself up to increased scrutiny because of this association, however.

At best your support may cause some people to question your intelligence. Beyond that your support may cause people to question your honesty, integrity, and possibly the legality of some of your own actions.

The question you have to ask yourself is "Can I afford or survive the scrutiny that will be caused by supporting Sandra Hutchens? Some Southern California Politicians and prominent business people are learning the answer to this question now.

Even the LA Times, a venue that has historically always been very supportive of Sandra Hutchens and has rarely, if ever willingly published anything negative about her, now does so.

Another question that must be asked “Is Sandra Hutchens worthy of serving the Citizens of Orange County as the Elected Sheriff”? Given the sub standard performance, lack of leadership, and large number critical blunders that have occurred under her as Appointed Sheriff, I think not.

I am one person with one opinion. Do not just accept my words. Do your own research, ask your own questions, check all the stated facts, including mine, then make your decision. Regardless of whether I personally agree with your decision or not, I will respect it because it will be an informed decision.

The citizens of Orange County deserve far better than Sandra Hutchens. Your voice and your vote will assure that in 2010 a better person worthy of the Citizens of Orange County will wear the badge of Orange County Sheriff.

[bullwinkle]

Disband.... the organization has proven it is rotten to the core

[Paul S]

In Minnesota we have over 60,000 carry permits with a minimum of problems and what some see as a corresponding decrease in violent crime.