An Orange County Superior Court judge has rejected an attempt by the union representing sheriff’s deputies to block the release of disciplinary records under a new state police transparency law. Judge Nathan Scott ruled Thursday that public accountability trumped the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs’ fight to protect the privacy of its members. Scott, however, let stand the seal on personnel documents until March 15 to give the association time to file an appeal.
One of our members has experienced the tragic loss of both his sister-in-law and niece in a multi-vehicle accident on the Garden Grove (22) Freeway. Deputy Anthony Alvarez and his family are mourning the loss of 33-year-old Jolene Castillo and her nine-year-old daughter, Payton Castillo. Jolene’s young son survived the crash and was not hurt but he and his older brother are now left without a mother and sister.
Tonight on NBC’s “Dateline,” correspondent Keith Morrison reports on the 2010 murder of San Juan Capistrano businessman, Chris Smith. Edward Shin, Smith’s then business partner, was convicted of first-degree murder one week ago today. Shin, who sent emails to Smith’s family and friends pretending to be the 33-year-old after he was already dead, was found guilty of special-circumstances murder for financial gain.
The AOCDS Pipe Band has been incredibly busy performing at all kinds of events. The band is currently looking for new members to help them accommodate all the requests. Do you have what it takes? Watch our recruitment video at https://www.facebook.com/AOCDS/videos/1964894493553769/ for what you need to know… and be sure to share it with all your law enforcement and civilian acquaintances.
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1749 into law. AB 1749 clarifies that fully sworn peace officers can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if, while in the midst of pursuit, apprehension, protection or preservation of life or property within or out of the state, the officer suffers injury, disability or death. This is a bill AOCDS proudly sponsors and has been fighting for in the legislature since the Las Vegas mass shooting nearly one year ago.
AOCDS member Artin Baron is running for the position of general member on the OCERS board of directors. This election is extremely important, because all positions on the board directly affect all county employees, including AOCDS members. The incumbent has voted with the anti-pension Lincoln Club appointee to raise your pension costs, not once, but twice. The AOCDS board of directors, including OCERS safety member Roger Hilton, strongly endorses Artin Baron.
When I was a wee lad, park rangers built big bonfires, led marvelous sing-alongs and in Yosemite — and I am not making this up — dumped massive amounts of burning embers over Glacier Point. Ah, those were the good ol’ days. Or not, especially with today’s kindle-dry wildfire conditions. But closer to home and a half-century ago, Orange County rangers worked their keisters off rushing around and doing everything from maintenance to animal control to helping control floods.
We are extremely proud to let you know that the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs has its very own pipe band and is currently recruiting new members. Are you an experienced bagpiper looking to be part of a team and take on a fun, exciting and rewarding new hobby? The AOCDS Pipe Band would love to speak with you!
After lengthy negotiations, we are pleased to announce that the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) and Orange County Board of Supervisors have reached an agreement to introduce an innovative workers’ compensation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. This will give our county law enforcement officers and deputies the health care they deserve while helping Orange County save taxpayer dollars.
California Senate Bill 54, which took effect on January 1, 2018, placed restrictions on collaboration between local custody operations and federal law enforcement authorities. These communication restrictions have resulted in 45 criminals with federal detainers re-offending following their release back into the community.
The AOCDS Memorial Fund assists peace officers or the families of officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty, suffering from a serious medical condition, experiencing a catastrophic circumstance, disabled, or retired and in need of assistance. This includes, but is not limited to, sworn deputy sheriffs or peace officers with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, district attorney’s office, probation department and OC Parks. The fund also helps qualifying officers across the state of California and awards annual scholarships to select children of members entering their first year at a college or university, among many other things.
The AOCDS Memorial Fund is a fully recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
*Once you select a Monthly Recurring Donation or One-Time Donation amount, click NEXT, and you will be able to indicate the recipient of your donation: the AOCDS Memorial Fund, a specific cause or a specific member.