During the Sheriff's election in 2006, the rank and file members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department supported Lt. Bill Hunt. Despite overwhelming odds, Hunt forced a two term sheriff with a million dollar campaign war chest to the brink of a runoff. The rank and file still support Bill Hunt and want him to be the next Sheriff, but there is a very real sense of uncertainty out there. Is the Sheriff going to quit? Is the Sheriff going to prison?
What’s going to happen next? What can I do to help? What is the risk to me?The underhanded way some in the union leadership undermined our efforts in the last election, the politically motivated investigation by the district attorney's office (that was dropped without a word after the election), and the now infamous demotions, transfers, and black listing of known Hunt supporters in the aftermath of the election have left many in the rank and file concerned about openly supporting Bill. Those actions were intended to instill fear, stifle expression, and make sure the public doesn’t find out who we truly support for Sheriff.
We feel that Deputy Sheriffs have as much right to participate in the political process as anyone else. We should not be in fear of demotion, transfer, termination, or being on “the list” for merely exercising our rights as Americans, particularly when all we want is what is best for our department. The mission of this website is to provide information to department members, both sworn and non-sworn, so they can participate in the democratic process without fear of retaliation from the current administration.
No one can deny that the Sheriff’s indictment has been a very public embarrassment to the department and all of its members. But as hard as it might be, we have to shift our focus from making sure Mike Carona gets his due to doing what is best for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
We have to focus our concern on what happens next.Who has the experience to come in and repair the damage done to our department's reputation? Who has the proven ability and experience to lead and inspire? Bill Hunt is the obvious answer to those questions. Bill Hunt is a 22 year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and owes no allegiance to the scandal ridden Carona administration. Bill Hunt has the support of the rank and file and was the only leader in the department to have the courage to stand up to Mike Carona. Bill Hunt stood up for us. It is time for us to stand with him!
How can you help?
Make sure your voice is heard. Don’t be afraid to get involved and make a difference. We can support Bill Hunt for Sheriff in a number of ways. First and foremost, let the Board of Supervisors know who you are and how you feel. When Carona strikes a deal, the Board of Supervisors will appoint a new sheriff to complete the rest of his term. It is important that we let the Board of Supervisors know that we do not want another politician as sheriff. We do not want another self-aggrandizing puppet of the local political power structure. We do not want another sheriff who will sell guns, badges, and influence to the highest bidders. We want a real cop. We want a real leader. We want Bill Hunt to be Orange County's next Sheriff!
Go to the link (below) for your Supervisor, click on “Contact,” and send him or her an email.
Don’t just sit back and let them make this decision without hearing from you first, let your Supervisor know how you feel. Your opinion matters!
Tell your Supervisor you want them to support Bill Hunt for Sheriff!
Some department members have expressed concern about giving financially to Bill Hunt's campaign because they fear retaliation when the “list” of his contributors is made public by the Registrar of Voters. The answer is not to stay out of the race, that's what the Mike Schroeders of the world want us to do. The answer is to be smart and work within the system. Contributions of $99.00 or less are not reportable. So, give less than $100 and you will never appear on a list. If every sworn member of the department contributed just $99 (the cost of two tanks of gas) to Bill Hunt's campaign we would provide about $200,000 to support our next Sheriff! For a small price, we can send a clear message about who we support for Sheriff and why.
Be involved! Make a difference! Support Bill Hunt for Orange County's next Sheriff!
Please, go to the Board of Supervisors links below and let our elected officials know that you are tired of the scandals and corruption and you want them to appoint Bill Hunt as the next Orange County Sheriff.
OC Board of Supervisors
