Woman are taking over the world! Well, not quite. But a woman is taking over the Sheriff’s position in Orange County for the first time ever. Sandra Hutchens, formerly a division chief for the LA County Sheriff’s Department has been chosen for the position by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The board was torn on their decision, but ultimately decided to go with the outsiders.
Hutchen, 53, retired from the LA County Sheriff’s Department last year after 30 years of service. She is now ready to take charge of a department that has had a lot of trouble over recent years. Michael S. Carona will be resigning from the position in January to face his upcoming corruption trial. Needless to say, Hutchens’ is going to have her work cut out for her.
Three supervisors voted for Hutchens, while two voted for Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters.
“I will live up to the confidence you have placed in me today,” Hutchens told the board after the vote. “I am a change agent. I will be a change agent in the Sheriff’s Department.”
Supervisor Janet Nguyen voted for Hutchens, saying she had faith the retired Los Angeles cop could help restore a department that has been plagued by scandal in recent years. “I think Chief Hutchens will be the best candidate to help us from a different perspective and to bring this department back,” Nguyen said.
The board’s decision capped a historic process in which supervisors — and not the voters — selected the county’s sheriff. Supervisors narrowed a field of nearly 50 applicants to two, holding an unprecedented day-long public interview process two weeks ago.
Hutchens will oversee more than 4,000 employees and a budget of more than $700 million; most importantly, she will have the task of turning around a department tarnished by allegations of corruption, cronyism and a string of embarrassing scandals.
All I can say is… you go girl!
Photo and quotes by the LATimes.comÂ
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