...And the fact it isn't worth the paper it's written on. If it was, Adams should be our next Sheriff.

And yes, look at the pathetic Hunt score

GEE Whiticare seems Hunt didn't do very good!!!!!

Star Search – How the Tail Wags the Dog

A quick review of the process used by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to select the finalists for the position left vacant by beleaguered Sheriff Michael S Carona led us to conclude that the Board should fire immediately the person(s) responsible for the process: The criteria prepared and used by the search firm clearly shows lack of experience with executive searches.

When we questioned the criteria and the process used, we were told by the County that leadership and “… conducted by a retired law enforcement officer with Bob Murray and Associates and included the points you noted as missing from the assessment, such as experience with law enforcement organizations similar in size and complexity, as well as familiarity with local law enforcement” The retired law enforcement officer was later identified as Bob Murray and Associates (BMA) Vice President, Regan William. According to BMA’s website, “Mr. Williams brings 30 years of local government experience to Bob Murray and Associates. Most recently, he worked as a private consultant with Deloitte and Touche on various public sector assignments. Prior to that, he served as Director of Public Safety with the City of Sunnyvale, CA.” - to put it in context, the City of Sunnyvale had a population of 131,760, according to the 2000 Census, whereas the County of Orange had a population of 2,846, 289, according to the same census. Refer to BMA’s website for “current searches” for additional comparisons - Sort of like the human resources secretary being asked to interview a candidate to replace the CEO!

Perhaps in case we wanted to continue looking at the issue, the County was sure to let us know that the “..Board has seen all applications/resumes submitted for the position and chose to endorse the list of nine recommended candidates. The decision for appointing a Sheriff is entirely up to the Board to make”, so we continue to look at the issue. We decided to compare the BMA’s score to the most recent Board of Supervisor’s vote as shown below, where the BMA chart shows the scores given to each candidate, out of 39 points total.

A cursory review of how the supervisors voted, compared to the chart supplied by BMA leads one to believe the boards assertion that the board will take suggestions under advisement, but will make the final decision on its own. A closer look shows that BMA’s second choice, chief Walters, just happens to be the leading candidate to replace Sheriff Carona. Seemingly always straight shooter supervisor Norby casts one vote and it is for chief Walters as the “best qualified”. So why does the board think that Hutchens is just as qualified as Walters? Our only conclusion is that the vote provides ample political coverage for all the supervisors with the exception of Norby: Bates can claim that she defended the current organization, but wants change. Moorlach can claim that he defended gender vote as well as the search firm’s recommendations. Moorlach and Bates can also claim having voted for Martin, knowing Martin will surface again. In all cases, the board can claim that it was the search firm’s fault that Lt. Hunt and chief Anderson rated to so low. In the end, it will be Regan William and Bob Murray & Associates who decide who the next Orange County Sheriff will be.

Candidate/Supvervisor Hunt Hunter Hutchens Adams Martin Babka Beemer Walters Anderson
Nguyen - X X - - - - X -
Moorlach - - X X X - - - -
Bates - - X - X - - X X
Campbell - - X - - - X X -
Norby - - - - - - - X -
Regan Williams & Bob Murray & Associates and 20 27 25 33 25 25 26 32 28

Interesting comments from many on this blog to be sure. Comparing the two finalists it is easy to see who is the truly better choice for the office of Sheriff and that is Hutchens. On paper, in person, in background checks, in checked "baggage", in political IOU's Walters has stacked up all this and more during his failed administration in Santa Ana. Walters is connected allright, to the unions, to the political machine of OC, and he is beholden to both and many more. I don't want anyone like Walters near the office of Sheriff again, BEEN THERE DONE THAT, since Brad Gates. For a true change and quality in this office Hutchens is the clear and overwhelming choice. We will see what the BOS really believes when they collectively make this decision.

Seems to me Norby is rushing to judgment. Why is that? Well maybe due to his ties to Walters and campaign managements from the past, maybe he wants to ensure the media and people don't have a chance to go down to Lamoureux Justice Center and pull the file under CAse Number 07D000143 styled: Walters v Walters in which they will find all the necessary documentation to confirm double dipping, financial distress, adultery, and failing to keep his promises. Maybe Norby doesn't want anyone to investigate where Walters actually resides, Santa Ana or Tustin. Court documents from 12/07 show he resides in Tustin, however, voter registration information from 11/07 signed by Walters promises he lives in Santa Ana, in a house that doesn't appear to be occupied.

After all we have been through with the last two Sheriff's seems a week or two more of selection process wouldn't kill anyone, but Norby wants this done and has for weeks. WONDER WHY. Lets not fully vet these candidates, let just appoint the one who is best known, uses the same political consultants as me and get this done before anyone finds all his "baggage" hidden in the shadows.

Norby and all the rest should carefully weigh the finalist who won't embarrass them if they have any thoughts of being re-elected in two years. That candidate is clearly Hutchens. She is the BEST person for the job, on paper, in person, without political favors owed and with never faultering INTEGRITY!

If nominated, Hutchens will take office with, no baggage, no polical favors owed and with no agenda OTHER than to restore the pride, honor and integrity to a very disfunctional law enforcement organization, thanks to Carona. I know Sandi, I have worked for her. She is a straight shooter, a great people person, a great listener and she has never forgot her roots as a street cop. Sandi will take an fresh eyes approach to her position. Trust me on this, she will clean house within the executive and upper management ranks. If they are dirty or disloyal to the organization, the will be taken out with last weeks fish sticks. She knows very well what she will walk into but this I know, Sandi has the backbone to do what needs to be done after the train wreck Carona and his hentchmen left behind. To the men and women of the OCSD, if Sandi gets the nod, give her the time and ALL the support she will need to unscrew all that Carona has done. Sandi will right the wrongs, but it will take time. She will meet every single one of you and listen to what you have to say. Don't bother trying to blow smoke up her back, she knows a chain smoker when she sees one. Just be honest with her and tell her your story, tell her what she needs to fixed and work with her. All of us in the Southern California law enforcement family knows the corruption and moral decay that has filled your upper ranks. We all know what Carona has done. Trust her, she is a true professional and has walked ten miles in your shoes. Soon, you will find reporting to work to be fun and the pride and integrity you have invested in the OCSD will come back to all ten-fold. Sandi Hutchens is a fine person of integrity and honor. Support her, learn to trust her and grow to love her as so many of us have. It will all be done on demonstrated performance and soon the wounds inflicted by Carona will heal. He WILL face justice, have no doubt and the truth will come out. Your revenge, if you will, is to watch Sheriff Hutchens partner with each of you to rebuild the OCSD better than it ever was before, restore community trust and organizational loyalty, all the while, Carona knows he will have to face justice. And the best part, each of you will be around to watch it ALL happen.

I have to agree with all that Mike P. said. Very simple choice if you want true reform.

Matt B:

The true reform, or as we like to call it, the Obama Moment, has long come and gone – started with the hiring of Bob Murray and Associates to put together a criteria that all but eliminated the most competent leaders during the paper cut – in this case the OCSD will not die from a thousand cuts, but from a thousand bugs.

Arguing about the difference between the last two candidates standing is splitting hairs. You know that regardless of who the supes select, the OCSD Palmettos will be actively working to regain control in three years or so.

Did not mean to post as anonymous - Did not mean to post as anonymous – the Obama Moment posting is mine, it is my belief and I approve this message – for the benefit of those who may confuse us with scientists….’

The scoring released here doesn't matter. As in all law enforcement promotional endeavors, each "candidate" is rated in a number of areas including experience (resume), oral interviews, situational awareness, appraisals of promotability (peer group reviews) and personnel backgrounds (jacket). This is the reason the field came out the way it has. Now that the field is down to two, I submit to all of you the best overall candidate is Hutchens based upon all the above. Add one more component to the mix in OC and that is the connection to OC Political Circles and Hutchens again should get the nod, if for no other reason, she isn't politically connected to the "machine" which has produced our last two sheriffs.

Add one more component to the mix in OC and that is the connection to OC Political Circles and Hutchens again should get the nod, if for no other reason, she isn't politically connected to the "machine" which has produced our last two sheriffs.

That is an inaccurate comment, for several reasons.

1st, Brad gates was not the product of the "machine" -- itself a bugaboo upon which political neophytes like to blame developments they deplore. Gates was the product of the OCSD. He was the chosen successor of long-time Sheriff James Musick.

2nd, it is disingenuous to characterize Sandra Hutchens on not being politically connected, when in reality the Hutchens boomlet is being fueled by politically-connected individuals. To cast it as some sort of citizens movement is ridiculous.

Matt B:

I may be persuaded to accept the premise that Hutchens is the best candidate standing based on “law enforcement promotional endeavors”. Even then I would argue that when you continue to do the same thing you have done in the past, you will continue to get the same results – glad to see you did not include education in the resume.
Now, the notion that the department can heal from within is preposterous and show how candidates simply say what people want to hear.

The question is, what is Hutchens willing to do (in specific terms, not in Obama-change platitudes ) to make sure the OCSD does not die from 1,000 bug bites? – I approve this message.