My name is Paul Schrader, and I am running for the position of Sheriff-Coroner of San Bernardino County. My campaign is based on what we call the Fresh Start Initiative. My goal is to bring a Fresh Start to San Bernardino County that the citizens can be proud of, participate in, and see concrete, forward-looking solutions to the problems we face.
Community Responsibility- A Sheriff’s Department that accepts its responsibility to the community, and works with the community to improve
conditions for all.
The other day I was in Chino Hills. I was talking with a guy by the name of John. He said he would like to see the Department executives reaching out to the community, finding out what needs and concerns they have. He said when he has tried to reach anyone of any rank, he is directed to a patrol deputy. He is frustrated.
While in Victor Valley I talked to Helen. She had a few of her friends with her. She said she wanted a group to help bring the Department and community together. She said the Department said she could volunteer. She tried to call the Sheriff’s Office and was redirected to a patrol deputy. She does not want to be a volunteer, she would love to be part of a community group that could partner with the Department. She is frustrated.
I hear this throughout the county. Deputies are being utilized to answer questions that should go through Department executives. Our deputies are trying to provide law enforcement services and need tools to do the job even better.
I will have community groups in every area of the county. We will meet and work together, ensuring they are getting service needed in their area. I will be available to citizens. This is being done in Departments all over the State. 
Will you adhere to the will of the voters and ensure access for patients under California Health and Safety Code 11362.5? Will you work to integrate mental health services in our communities and jails? Do you think using our jails for people who are drug addicts and/or are mentally ill is good sound cost effective policy? Do you think conditions in county jails are up to, say, conditions in Guantanamo?
What is your position on what should be done to law enforcement officers caught, say driving drunk? Should they get a pass from their fellow officers? Should they be carrying their service weapon while inebriated?
These questions are offered seriously. Law enforcement is not worthy of trust, until they become trustworthy members of our society.
Regardless of what anyone thinks about Rod Hoops, do we really want to put our county law enforcement agency in the hands of man who has never risen above the rank of deputy sheriff? If Paul had drive, initiative, intelligence, leadership, and planning skills, don’t you think his current agency would have recognized that and promoted him? 20 or 30 years of experience at the bottom rungs of law enforcement do little to prepare one for the top job. Just a thought…
A Thought, You have a lot of faith in those in higher positions. Many times the grunts don’t get recognized because to do so would put the higher ups in competition. Can you see a boss promoting someone who could do his/her job better? Makes me think that he was doing good and the higher ups were a little worried about that. I think it shows just the opposite of what you are thinking. In government, you don’t promote those people who could take over your position with their competence.
Paul, what is your take on the CCW policy in the county and what would you do diffrent if anything?
A thought, I can’t believe you would side step the issues surrounding Hoops, and suggest a person who is just a Deputy is not qualified.
It is time for a COMPLETE change and get someone from the outside in the Sheriff’s Department.
Mark Uffer was qualified on paper for the CAO’s job I guess you might say, he ran ARMC before becoming CAO. You see the results of all that.
How about Ruth Stringer? Lamberto? Penrod? Boxer? Tidwell? Need I continue about those who have PROMOTED through the ranks?
I mean no disrespect to Paul. To be honest, I don’t even know him. An outside candidate would do much to encourage dialogue about important issues. How about someone with Chief or Assistant Chief experience with a local PD? Someone with some political clout of his own. It just seems like too big of a job for a deputy sheriff to handle. Let’s face it, as likeable as Paul may be, he doesn’t have a chance of winning.
I don’t think you were being disrespectful. But it appears some one has to have a certain title to be qualified.
Hopefully Paul will chime in and tell us why in detail he believes he is qualified for the job.
About twenty years ago, Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates was challenged in every election by a Rancho Santiago College Police Studies Instructor by the name of George Wright. George would document abuse of power allegations in the Gates administration and run on that platform. He even published a book about the Gates era transgressions called “The Twisted Badge”.
Gates lobbied the California Ledgislature to pass a law allowing only those who have had active duty in law enforcement in the previous two years to be eligible to run for sheriff. This eliminated George Wright, since he had long before given up active duty to be a police academy teacher.
Now “A Thought” wants to limit the slection process further to only the top brass of the same regime that may need to be replaced.
I think that anyone who would say a deputy can not be sheriff has a closed mind. This statement proves it, “Regardless of what anyone thinks about Rod Hoops, do we really want to put our county law enforcement agency in the hands of man who has never risen above the rank of deputy sheriff? If Paul had drive, initiative, intelligence, leadership, and planning skills, don’t you think his current agency would have recognized that and promoted him? 20 or 30 years of experience at the bottom rungs of law enforcement do little to prepare one for the top job.” This person would rather have someone that has a title than someone that has drive, initiative, intelligence, leadership, and planning skills. Like he said, he does not know me. If he had the facts he would be sending me a donation and becoming one of the voters that are going to place me in office as sheriff. Don’t let titles define you sir. I am your next sheriff.
Sorry Paul, your lack of exerpience in leadership is just too big of a gamble.
Sorry Paul that some of our bloggers have not seen that the experienced leaders we now have are creating the actual corruption within.
So much for the experienced argument.
I went to Paul’s website and read what he is about. It sounds to me like this is the guy to help bring the county out of the mire. I like his leadership and style. Paul you have my vote and I have friends that turned me on to you and they are voting for you. Keep up your positive stance and let people know about you. I will come to your dinner at Senor Bajas’ in Cucamonga this Thursday at 6PM. My name is Branch. I will bring my friends too.
I hope voters give your name as much consideration as you gave my questions.
You should fit right in.
I don’t think anyone needs a “title” to run for sheriff. I do think that they need experience running a multi-million dollar operation that employs over 2,000 people. When has a deputy sheriff in any county been trained in these skills? Supervising hundreds of inmates at the county jail is not the same as managing a large organization. I don’t want to discourage anyone from running, but without significant financial backing, name recognition, and experience you don’t have a chance of being elected. I’m just a realist.
Semmelweiss:
I am so glad you have asked about mental health services.
I would have a Mental Health Liaison to work with the Department of Mental Health, this is an important collaboration which means a higher level of service for the mentally ill offenders.
I would have Jail Mental Evaluation Teams (JMET).. Each team would consists of one deputy sheriff and one DMH clinician. The teams will provide outreach mental health services to inmates in the jail’s general population, identifying inmates who develop new mental health symptoms while in jail, or who may have evaded detection in the initial screening process.
I will ensure on-site Jail Mental Health Services as well as specialized mental health housing. I will also help families of the mentally ill an opportunity to connect with the Department immediately after their mentally ill family member or friend has been arrested. This will also help us connect with the family to gather critical information regarding such things as diagnosis and medication regiment. Upon release Mental Health staff will help set up outside assistance for the released inmate.
I do not think using our jails for people who are drug addicts and/or are mentally ill is good sound cost effective policy. I think conditions in our county jails are better than Guantanamo.
If a law enforcement officer commits a crime they should be arrested! If the are drunk, they should not carry a firearm.
A question:
Carrying a Concealed Weapon CCW
California is a “May Issue” state; the decision to grant a CCW (Carry a Concealed Weapon) Permit being granted (or refused) at the discretion of the County Sheriff or Police Chief. Some sheriffs/chiefs issue on a reasonable basis, others can be next to impossible to persuade.
I will break down the walls to a CCW permit in San Bernardino County. If you meet the qualifications, you will not be denied a CCW. I will order an audit of this system and take politics out of receiving a CCW.
I am a strong NRA supporter.
Go to my website at http://www.sheriffpaul.net for more info.
A Thought tries to discourage Paul, then says he doesn’t want to discourage anyone from running, then discourages some more. I have to wonder if A Thought = Hoops.
One thing he is right about is it takes significant financial backing. I don’t think the rest really matters as long as the money is there. That’s why we’re in this mess. Special interests and unions who have the money get to pick who gets elected and they pick whomever will give them and their members the best deal.
Hoops is a turd that floated to the top. Now let us flush.
Your thoughts on cannabis Paul…a fair question… that you avoided twice…I know it’s a sticky one for law enforcement.With the benefit…that many ill and suffering folks get from cannabis…will you as sheriff….stand to uphold 215 & 420…and stand down on internal policies…that currently ignore the law and the will of the people…in San Bernadino County…
Where was the question asked twice about pot? I hope Paul will answer you soon. He is upfront on his views. He has his cell number on all his sites and tells people to call him. It is (909)732-6964. Even his video has his cell number. If you want the truth call him. I think it’s a fair question, but he did not avoid it or I missed it.
Thank you for the response. It is thoughtful. Implementing it will not only be tough, it will be critical. We are burning money by using the criminal justice system to manage the mentally ill.
I would personally feel safer in Guantanamo than in a county jail. I would fear the brutality of both inmates, and those guarding me as well. If this is misperception, it is one shared by many. Maybe jails ought to have secret shopper programs..
There have been many incidents recently of law enforcement being given a pass after breaking a variety of laws. After an off duty cop shot at two marines in a drunken brawl outside Angel Stadium last year, many citizens began questioning the safety of being around an off duty police officer. I think we need more than lip service as to how officers will be held just as accountable for their off duty behavior as any other miscreant. I’d like to see as much effort being spent on sting operations for dangerous and armed police, than for prostitution or minor drug offenses. The out of control officer and his buddies covering for him scare me far more.
I am still waiting on 11362.5, as is an entire county.
Semmelweiss you would be more secure and safe in Guantanamo if you were a terrorist and a muslim. Those are the only ones down there in Gitmo.
If I was an infadel, I would not want to be in Gitmo. Those prisoners down there’s belief in what they should do to Americans, make them far more dangerous than most domestic murders combined.
Your concerns for the mentally ill in County jails is noteworthy and has merit.
But I am far more concerned at what is going on at ARMC metal health units than county jail.
If any of those accusations are even slightly true, someone needs to go to jail.
I HAVE never seen or heard of any such treatment of mentally ill inmates like that at West Valley Detention center.
Could things be better, absolutely, but they are far from sub-standard. The ACLU would be all over Hoops’ butt if they were.
I am sorry I did not separate my concerns more clearly.
The mentally ill — need better alternatives for all of us than jail.
The conditions for a (non mentally ill) person who is not a hardened criminal are probably way more shocking if they end up in a county jail, than they are in Gitmo for some Moslem mass murderers.
What you do to the least of my brothers — I think this applies to people in jail, at ARMC — patient or lowly employee. (Maybe Gitmo, too — maybe not). Until this idea catches on, we may have to dog people a bit, especially elected officials, law enforcement, burned out mental health workers.
WE must guard the guardians, for no one else can.
why the debate about paul being able to handle the job…gaming his qualifications/experience….lets look back at tidwell….sheriff/firearms thief….qualified?….well for a thief in a sheriffs uniform…..just connected…you don’t even need to be honest…just connected….tidwell…pilfered/stole over 500 firearms from evidence, in San Bernadino County and Riverside County….and in the end got a pass for all of it…I’ll take a person of integrity any day
Just found out tidwell gave a $1000.00 to the hoops campaign…must of sold some guns from his(tidwells) stash….
OH truthseekerSBC you are too harsh on ol Floyd!!! LOL!!!
Do you know if Penrod has given any money yet??
Penrod gave Hoops $15,000.00. It’s one big family. They are afraid if anyone gets in office that they have not blessed everything will come OUT. Why does the D.A and Hoops use the same campaign manager Ellis and the same financial manager who is also a member of the county retirement board. Drop the hammer. In June 2009 Hoops and the D.A attend a golf tournament and raise $100,000.00 for the DA. Read and enjoy. Your boys at work. Hoops need to use his diploma to cover his porky pig face in disgust.
I have known Paul since our days in the Marines, about 28 years ago. He is a man of integrity, principles, and compassion. To believe that an incumbent is better qualified to lead a department simply because he or she has positioned himself into favor with the Sheriff is incredibly naive. In that same light, one would believe that politicians should always be re-elected since they have proven they are best for the position simply because they are in office. Our states current fiscal crisis shows that is not always the case.
The number of scandals involving Tidwell and Penrod indicate that there is a problem within the upper management ranks of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office and that the citizens deserve transparency and new leadership.
We have all seen how great of a job that a unqualified president has done. It sounds like Paul is a great guy but that does not show that he has the knowledge to run a Sheriff’s department. I think Bruce would agree that even the Marines do not take a grunt and immediately make him a 4 star general, they bring him up through leadership school. What leadership school has Paul had? I guess if you focus on the past sheriffs and the problems during their time and say its all upper management then lets look at Paul’s department lets get some transparency their and clean up your own back yard then clean up somebodies else’s.
Paul,
Where have you done your patrol time? What city/county/federal agencies have you worked for? You mention narcotics work. Would you elaborate on this? Where did you attend your academy training? What is your current assignment with LASO? How do you plan on paying for a K9 program? These are just a few questions I had that I can’t find answers for. Please explain. Good luck to all candidates. Politics are nasty.