Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens has released details of the budget mandated cuts to her department. In late July 2009, Sheriff Hutchens presented her plan for dealing with the drastic cuts to her department. Part of the plan included "chopping at the top" - asking several senior staff members to take early retirement or layoff. The cuts for FY 2009-10 total $28 million and the expected cuts for FY 2010-11 are an additional $60 million. Sheriff Hutchens has said that she views these cuts as temporary because maintaining this level of service, in her opinion, could cause long-term damage to public safety and the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
The structure of the new organization significantly differs from the existing organization. The organization seeks to do the same amount of work with significantly fewer people. Sheriff Hutchens objective in creating the new structure was to impact front-line public safety as little as possible. She did not want to cut the first responders - Sheriffs in cars assisting the public, 911 operators, and investigators. The new structure includes an increased workload for Sheriff Hutchens as she becomes responsible for the Coroner and Crime Lab/Support Services.
Two Assistant Sheriffs and five Captains have been eliminated. Assistant Sheriff Hillman is now responsible for Field Operations and Investigative Services. Assistant Sheriff James is responsible for Custody and Court Services. Executive Director Dostal continues to be responsible for the Administrative Services Command.
Area commanders have been designated to assist the Assistant Sheriffs with their expanded and changed operations. Captain Tim Board is now the Area Commander for Field Operations and Investigative Services, serving with Assistant Sheriff Hillmann. Captain Jay LeFlore is now the Area Commander for Custody and Court Services assisting Assistant Sheriff James.
Under the new structure, responsibilities for the Crime Lab and Support Services will be managed by Director Gialamas. Direct responsibility for the Professional Services Division is now part of Undersheriff Scott's duties. Sheriff Hutchens has assumed direct responsibility for the Coroner and Crime Lab/Support Services.
In addition to these management level changes, there are 30 to 40 employees which are experiencing job reclassification or demotion. The changes to 30 to 40 positions roll thru the department as employees who are demoted to a lower grade displace other employees already in that job. Sheriff Hutchens hopes to complete this part of the budget mandated department realignment by September.
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