Jun 24, 2008 1:37 pm US/Pacific
O.C.'s First Female Sheriff Officially Sworn In
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Hutchens is Orange County's first female sheriff and the first person appointed, rather than elected, to the office since its creation in 1889.
CBS
Sandra Hutchens was formally sworn in as Orange County's first female sheriff Tuesday, replacing the department's criminally indicted former sheriff.
"Yesterday is history," she said. "Today is the beginning of a new era in this department."
Hutchens was sworn in privately in the office of Supervisor Chair John Moorlach last week, but she repeated the oath of office Tuesday before a crowd of more than 1,000 people, many of whom were invited city and county officials.
"This department has more than 4,000 members who need not demonstrate any more loyalty, dedication and commitment. They simply need a leader willing to set them on the course that they have been ready and eager to take," she said.
Afterward, Hutchens denied that she was referring to Mike Carona's lack of leadership. He quit in January to defend himself against charges that he did official favors for political supporters.
Her motto, she said, is "honorable, ethical law enforcement." She said her is "to make this sheriff's department the best department in the nation."
The 53-year-old Dana Point resident, who retired last year as a division chief with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is Orange County's first female sheriff and the first person appointed, rather than elected, to the office since its creation in 1889.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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