Heal, who was issued a permit for self-protection in his role as a treasurer for a charitable foundation tied to the National Rifle Assn., said he has continually been asked to produce documentation to support his application. He is up for his two-year renewal this year.
"They always seem to want something on paper, so it's just not a handshake and a kiss, and here's your permit," Heal said.
In addition to her concerns about the concealed weapons, Hutchens said she would review the files of all reserve deputies, to make sure anyone serving as a volunteer is qualified and sincerely interested in helping the department.
Shortly after taking office in 1999, Carona appointed scores of campaign donors as reserve deputies, issuing them badges and in some cases guns without background checks or training. The appointments escaped public scrutiny until 2005, when a Los Angeles Times article raised questions about whether Carona was handing out badges as political favors -- an allegation he denied.
Over the years, several reserves with close ties to Carona have been caught misusing their credentials. In one of the most serious instances, Carona's longtime martial arts instructor was accused of flashing a gun and badge at members of a foursome playing ahead of him on a San Bernardino County golf course. Raymond Yi was convicted in May of making a criminal threat and could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
The department needs the reserves "if they are here for the right reasons. If you're here for personal gain, if you want a badge or a gun, we don't need you," Hutchens said. "It certainly shouldn't be a political favor."
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stuart.pfeifer@latimes.com
christine.hanley@latimes.com
