Sources close to Santa Ana Chief of Police Paul Walters confirmed for me earlier today that Walters will not run for Orange County Sheriff in next years election. My sources had told me several weeks ago in confidence that Chief Walters would most likely not seek the position of the county’s “top cop” but he was not ready to make it public yet. Though Walters has not formally announced his intentions I was given the green light to share this.
Walters was a finalist to replace disgraced felon Mike Carona last year, however three members of the Board of Supervisors, led by John Moorlach, foolishly passed him over and played politics awarding the job to Sandra Hutchens, the darling of an influential group of rich south county Republican woman. Clearly Walters, a true law enforcement professional, was the best choice as Hutchens first year in office has shown us.
According to my source Walters has decided to remain as Santa Ana’s Chief, a position he has held for over twenty years, because city officials and his officers really want him to stay. With budget cuts being the story of the day Walters did not feel now would be the time to leave the department he cares so much about and folks at city hall are glad to keep him here.
I am told that Walters is at the happiest point that he has ever been both personally and professionally and really isn’t up to dealing with the political b/s that comes with running for public office. He’s a cop’s cop and the thought of having to be a schmoozing politico just isn’t that appealing to him at this time in his life.
Chief Walters and his wife Mary live in north Santa Ana and just love being a part of our community. As much as I believe that Paul Walters would make a great Sheriff, I am quite happy knowing he will remain as our police chief. Orange County’s loss is definately Santa Ana’s gain.
This clears the way for Bill Hunt. Let the games begin.
“Sources close to Santa Ana Chief of Police Paul Walters confirmed for me earlier today”…. Hmmm
Next time ask Chief directly, you insider.
I knew that Paul will not run since January 23, 2009 see below. I was gone dump some serious money into his campaign however, after Susie Young Kim was gunned down in front of her child by SAPD13, I am not so sure.
Paul did not publicly condemn the shooting which indicates a weakness in his leadership.
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Re: Sheriff in 2010?
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:36:19 -0800
From: Walters, Paul
To:
Stan I will. Probably stay here at sapd. A lot people want me to run. But I will think about it.
Paul M Walters
Chief of Police
—–Original Message—–
From: Standa
To: Walters, Paul
Sent: Fri Jan 23 07:21:38 2009
Subject: Sheriff in 2010?
Hi Chief,
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens is again in a deep doodoo.
Are you planing to run in 2010?
-Stan
Stanislav,
I am sure you are a much closer confidant than my source. LOL!!!
I am sure the Chief confides in you all the time.
As far as the Kim shooting goes it was justified. Officers were not aware a child was in the car, though it was Ms. Kim who put her child in harms way not the great men and women of the SAPD.
“As far as the Kim shooting goes it was justified.”… Prove it?
Stanislav,
The officers were cleared. There is nothing to prove.
This woman was using her car as a deadly weapon. They have a right and a duty to use whatever force is necessary when they or their fellow officers lives are in danger.
Shame on you for attacking the credibility of the men and women that keep us safe and put their lives on the line for us.
“As far as the Kim shooting goes it was justified.”… Prove it?
I should add Mr. Mill that in the civilized world the police does not shot people on the street for a traffic violation. Maybe in the Tehran as they shot Neda Soltani in which case Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s too, same like you, claims that it was justified…. Hmmm
As you know, I lived for 22 years in old communist Czechoslovakia and not even once the police shot a person on the street therefore, the SAPD13′s action shock me.
Even if it would be justified shooting, Kim would receive the death penalty without a trial. (Gravely unconstitutional and Police State like justice.)
Again, I do not known where you came from Mr. Mill but we, civilized people, consider a death penalty cruel and unusual punishment even if justifiably delivered by a jury of your peers.
Since Paul did not publicly or privately to me condemn the shooting it does indicates his weakness to me to become a strong and just Sheriff. [He blew it and he knows that.]
“Shame on you for attacking the credibility of the men and women that keep us safe and put their lives on the line for us.”…… what a kiss up bs!
Only usual suspects talk like that.
Why should he run? First, he’s over 50 years old and only earning 10 cents on the dollar to begin with. He stays on in hopes of a better gig somewhere, but can’t make it. That’s because his “true” reputation follows him. This is the guy who lowered crime in Santa Ana by instructing cops not to write reports so the stats improve. Good grief, the best news would be of his retirement.