So someone who called out Mike Carona's corruption in the last campaign would not be welcomed back into the OCSD's ranks Matt? What am I missing here? Quick, call those Supervisors. We can't have honest cops getting promoted.

Allan:

Try looking at it from a political analysis standpoint. If you're trying to get the nod from 5 supervisors who don't know you that well, why hire the one guy they don't want to see back in the department?

Oh come on guys, Hunt was fired for opposing Carona, nothing else. To not offer the guy his job back to him is disingenuous. Oppose Hutchens for any legitimate reason you like, but make it legitimate. But I guess one manufactures reasons when they can't find a real one.

See Matt, there's the rub.

"why hire the one guy they don't want to see back in the department?"

I guess by "they" you mean the five Supervisors. IMO the "they" should be the voters. I understand that the rules governing this current vacancy say that Supes get to appoint, but in 2010 the voters will get to have their say. It's pretty clear to me that anyone connected politically with the past corrupt Carona regime need not apply for Sheriff...that includes Paul Walters.

What part of Hunt is part of the problem, not part of the solution, people do not understand?

And hoow is Paul Walters connected to Carona?

Jubal,

Now who's engaging in the sleazy whispering campaign? This is as much a non-issue as Chief Walters' divorce.

But I do wonder, If Walters is appointed Sheriff will the violent crime rate in the unincorporated areas and contract cities go up?

It could be argued that the 33% higher rate for Santa Ana over that of Anaheim is due to Walters' exceptional leadership, superior judgement, and attention to detail.

That's funny. I haven't heard that. Hunt cannot be an Assistant Sheriff and Jubal knows it. Hunt went right to the point with Carona. That's the "polarizing" issue. Carona then gets indicted. Does Jubal propose that Hutchens have the "political sophistication" to overlook public corruption? The BOS could care less if Hunt works at the Sheriff's Department or not.

Well for starters he endorsed Carona back in 2006 when a lot of Carona's corruption was coming to light. I think that showed incredibly poor judgement. He could have shown some real leadership by not endorsing Carona when all the pressure was on to do exactly that, but he caved in to the dark side for whatever reason. I think we need to hold politicians accountable for endorsing known shady characters.

sleazy whispering campaign?

Me thinks so...........

The BOS should appoint Hutchens Sheriff to prevent Paul Walters failed policies of policing that allows the type of murder and mayhem we live with here in Santa Ana on a daily basis to expand county wide and deteriorate the quality of life in cities served by the Sheriff.

Chris:

I'm not.

How is this post equivalent to repeating a discredited rumor? I didn't just post something I heard being spread around.

Given that each sheriff candidate was asked what they would do with Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson; and given that half the AOCDS members expressed a preference for Hunt as Sheriff -- don't you think the Supes would like to know if Hunt was going to be brought back?

Allen:

Endorsing a candidate doesn''t make you "politically connected" to them.

Hunt cannot be an Assistant Sheriff and Jubal knows it.

No -- but I did forget that was true when i wrote the post.

However, Rocket, the point of my post still stands even if Hunt couldn't be brought in at the Asst. Sheriff level.

The BOS could care less if Hunt works at the Sheriff's Department or not.

I think you are completely off-base there.

I'm just glad Whitcare is against Walters getting the appointment becasue this will Defintely help Walters to become the New Sheriff. Thnaks again Tim

Jubal, It really isn't up to the supes to make hiring decisions. Keeping politics out of the department is the whole idea they are shooting for right? As long as you mention Anderson, If on the far off chance Hunt was appointed, I know for a fact Hunt would not of done to Anderson what Carona did to Hunt. Not even close.

To those of you that really believe Hunt wants to be Sheriff for the benfit of the department, you're dreamin. This has always been about him and his out of control ego and his my way is the only way attitude. Just because he was the whistle blower on Carona does not mean he's qualified to run the department. The fact that his intentions are to run again in 2010 only means this is about him; he and his people will rip open more old wounds,cause more hate and discontent within the ranks and attack the sitting Sheriff. Does that sound like he has the best interests of the department? STAY retired, enjoy yourself and go away.

Has everyone forgotten that Bill Hunt does not meet the requirements for Assistant Sheriff as established by the Board on November 20, 2007.

Ooops. I may be wrong about this whole rank thing. Can someone enlighten me as to whether Chief of Police Services for San Clemente is the same as Captain?

18Vet2,
Hunt will have no reason to run against Hutchens if she is appointed. The outside politics and former command vestiges controlling the department will all have been eliminated. (Mission completed right?) According to Peggy at TBuzz, Hunt told Peggy that he endorsed Hutchins. Safe bet he will not run against Hutchins but will likely run against Walters if Walters is appointed. You say: "Just because he was the whistle blower on Carona...". Apparently you are a deputy from OCSD (Station 18 if anybody didn't know) If you are a "whistle blower" and you are a law enforcement officer, is that a bad thing? I guess we really do need Hutchins and as many Hunts as we can find. I'm not expecting Hunt will want his job back even if asked so you have little to worry about.

No Chris he can't. I already called Jubal on that one.

Matt/Jubal,
I'm alittle confused, you state that the position of Sheriff is basically up to the voters. Well, Hunt was voted #2 last time, so why wouldn't you honor those votes?????

Rocket,
As an 18 insider we're all glad the last of Carona's people will be out of power soon. We are also thankful Hunt drew attention to Carona's activities. So no, being a whistle blower and a law enforcement officer is not a bad thing. That does not make him qualified for Sheriff. If the comments by Whitaker about interim sheriff are any indication of Hunt's future intentions, then it appears likely he will run again regardless of who is selected tomorrow. Hunt just needs to realize that he has already done the best he is capable of for the department by shedding a light on Carona. Now he needs to move on and leave the top spot for a professional law enforcement administrator.

Actually Know em all, if the will of the voters was considered Hunt only got 26% of the vote which means 74% didn't want him. Nonetheless it's a foolish argument. It's just a different world than it was back then with entirely different issues.

The current board was asked to look at the candidates, evaluate them and make a decision on who is most capable of fixing the OCSD's problems. Hunt wasn't even close in comparrison. The fact that he called out Carona is admirable but not enough. OCSD needs to move forward. The politics of Hunt v. Carona are the ugly politics of the past. Either Hutchens or Walters is the future and they shouldn't look back.

Let's not forget, Hunt has a phenomenal lawsuit pending against the county and Carona. He will do very will, all he has to do is depo Carona and that will trigger problems. Hunt will get enough money from the County and ultimately live pretty good on. He may have the last laugh.

Though, if the case on appeal comes back in his favor, he could fight to come back. Either way, I trust he will get a high six digit, or seven digit settlement for political retaliation. The depostion of Carona will be a great thing for Hunt. Carona has no character left, and civil juries will give Hunt what he wants.

Hunt should move on and enjoy his life.

I would think Hutches will not bring back any reminder of the scandal which plagued OCSD. Anderson will be gone in the next year or so. Just watch. She will promote from within those who are allied with her and run the rest out. If she thinks Anderson will run in 2010, she will get rid of him quicker.