Sandra Hutchens is publicly sworn in as Orange County sheriff
'Today is the beginning of a new era in this department,' Hutchens tells a crowd of more than 1,000 gathered in Santa Ana. She replaces Michael Carona, who is facing federal corruption charges.
Newly appointed Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was sworn in today on the steps of the Old County Courthouse, promising the public and her troops that she will lead by example and with integrity.
"Yesterday is history. Today is the beginning of a new era in this department," Hutchens told a crowd of more than 1,000 gathered on the front lawn of the historic Santa Ana courthouse for the ceremonial event. She was officially sworn in last week during a private ceremony.
Hutchens said it would take time to clean up the mess left behind by her indicted predecessor, Michael S. Carona, who resigned in January to fight federal charges that he misused his office to enrich himself and others in a conspiracy that included his wife and former mistress.
"Real change is not easily explained in sound bites. I made a commitment to the people of Orange County to be a change agent. And a change agent I will be," Hutchens said. "But that positive change, real change, in this department, like any law enforcement agency, means that you have to take the long view, to build on the uplifting culture of this department, to have the will to do better, and in doing so, be a better agency. "
Among those in the audience were police chiefs and city council members from several Orange County cities, Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas and Hutchens' former boss, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. He said Orange County supervisors made a wonderful selection in Hutchens.
"Thirty years in Los Angeles County law enforcement prepares you for a lot of things," Baca said. "You're getting a great leader."
Hutchens, 53, was appointed sheriff this month in a 3-2 vote by county supervisors, edging out Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, the other finalist from a national pool of about 40 candidates. She will serve the balance of Carona's third term, which ends in 2010, and plans to run for sheriff in the next election.
Hutchens has not named a command staff. She has brought a former colleague on board, retired Los Angeles County Division Chief John L. Scott, as a consultant to review Orange County's troubled jail system.
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