Dep. Chief Hillmann leaving L.A.P.D.

[Kieth M.]

I got the news from L.A., yesterday, and I verified it with a former co-worker. Deputy Chief Mike Hillmann is retiring from LAPD after 40+ years of service. BUT...he's not done with law enforcement. He's taking an Undersheriff position in Orange County. LAPD's loss is very much the O.C.'s gain.

Mike Hillmann was a leader in SWAT design/tactics, crisis negotiation, coming up with mobile field force tactics, and running unusual occurrances. He was always behind the field troops, not just with words, but with deeds. He's a proven leader.

[hankido2000]

Several days ago ABC7 covered the press conference in which he was introduced. I was a bit surprised to see him leave LAPD after all these years.

[Copp'rPenny]

So far, I've been impressed with our new sheriff. :)

[McGruff]

According to The LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-ocsheriff-2008jul24,0,7512712.story), Los Angeles County Sheriff's division chief John Scott will be the Undersheriff and Deputy Chief Mike Hillmann will be one of the four assistant sheriffs.

[hbliam]

Time will tell, but the new Sheriff isn't making alot of fans with her CCW policy, Reserve policy, and bringing in LA County cops for command staff. Not to mention the fact that she got selected because of two female supervisors making a gender based selection. She's got 18 months to prove the naysayers wrong or she's gone. I'm not impressed yet.

[Copp'rPenny]

Well, mine is more of a resident standpoint. I know there's a lot of good people at OCSD, but the residents are sick of reading about the scandals. I even know one of those rich supporters to whom Corona gave a gold badge, and I'm glad it's being taken away.

What's the change in the CCW policy?

[bar room heroes]

One of the first things on her agenda was to review all current CCW holders. And from what I have read she is not very CCW friendly.

[hbliam]

Well, mine is more of a resident standpoint.

I am a resident as well, and have been for the last 37 years.

[Copp'rPenny]

I just mean I'm not an LEO yet. The sheriff has two constituencies: the employees under her and the supervisors who hired her (and by extension, the voters).

[McGruff]

Reserve policy

Man...where was Carona when I was waiting over 2 yrs in backgrounds for Deputy Reserve? :p

[Kieth M.]

Thanks for the hijacks, guys!

[DAL]

Time will tell, but the new Sheriff isn't making alot of fans with her CCW policy, Reserve policy, and bringing in LA County cops for command staff. Not to mention the fact that she got selected because of two female supervisors making a gender based selection. She's got 18 months to prove the naysayers wrong or she's gone. I'm not impressed yet.

You sound rather xenophobic as well as sexist. Orange County's home-grown leadership did not exactly distinguish itself (at least, not in a positive way).

What Carona did with the reserves -- and his unsworn personnel who were given badges that looked like reserve badges -- was a disgrace, as well as illegal.

[pulicords]

One of the first things on her agenda was to review all current CCW holders. And from what I have read she is not very CCW friendly.

This will be interesting. OC lost a significant lawsuit due to it's restrictive CCW policy, which in many was is similar to LAPD and LASD's. (ie: If your not on the "A" list, you won't get one.) Now that the policy was court ordered to be more flexible, LAPD and LASD managers come on scene and we'll see how they deal with it.

Regarding the voter's dismay over the recent "scandals", they elected Corona and (from what I've read about that election) they should have had a pretty good idea about what they were getting.:rolleyes:

Sorry Kieth for the continuing hijack. I could say something about DC Hillman, but it would probably be better to PM you about it first.

[hbliam]

You sound rather xenophobic as well as sexist. Orange County's home-grown leadership did not exactly distinguish itself (at least, not in a positive way).

What Carona did with the reserves -- and his unsworn personnel who were given badges that looked like reserve badges -- was a disgrace, as well as illegal.


Being as I'm an LA County cop the xenophobic commnet is off base. The sexist one is even more off base. As an Orange County resident I followed closely the selection process. If you had as well you would know what I was talking about with regards to the final days. Hutchens may very well do a great job, I am not impressed so far but I will give her a year. I believe Walters was a better and more qualifed selection. It's documented that female politicians were pushing hard for the female supervisors to select a female.

I also never said that I approved of Corona.

What Corona did with SOME of the Reserves was out of line. The vast majority of the Reserve force are qualified and dedicated. Lastly, the PSR badges don't look anything like the Deputy or Reserve Deputy badges.

[DAL]

Hutchens was highly regarded at LASD, and Hillman was likely highly regarded at LAPD. The other three command staff came from OCSD. Hutchens had no need for Walters, because she had plenty of experience commanding Norwalk patrol as well as high-level management.

What Corona did with SOME of the Reserves was out of line. The vast majority of the Reserve force are qualified and dedicated. Lastly, the PSR badges don't look anything like the Deputy or Reserve Deputy badges.

That's odd. I know one of the former "Level 4" (non-reserve reserves) who is a real reserve elsewhere, and he said that his OC badge looked like a reserve badge to most people. Furthermore, several people Carona appointed as reserves -- including Haidl -- were quite an embarrassment.

Penal Code § 538(d)(c):

(c) Any person who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses, or who
willfully makes, sells, loans, gives, or transfers to another, any
badge, insignia, emblem, device, or any label, certificate, card, or
writing, which falsely purports to be authorized for the use of one
who by law is given the authority of a peace officer, or which so
resembles the authorized badge, insignia, emblem, device, label,
certificate, card, or writing of a peace officer as would deceive an
ordinary reasonable person into believing that it is authorized for
the use of one who by law is given the authority of a peace officer,
is guilty of a misdemeanor, except that any person who makes or sells
any badge under the circumstances described in this subdivision is
subject to a fine not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

[hbliam]

Hutchens was highly regarded at LASD, and Hillman was likely highly regarded at LAPD. The other three command staff came from OCSD. Hutchens had no need for Walters, because she had plenty of experience commanding Norwalk patrol as well as high-level management.



You missed my point (and seems you don't know what process I was talking about). Of course she has no need for Walters, he should be the one in the position she is in. And I never said they weren't highly regraded or great cops.

That's odd. I know one of the former "Level 4" (non-reserve reserves) who is a real reserve elsewhere, and he said that his OC badge looked like a reserve badge to most people. Furthermore, several people Carona appointed as reserves -- including Haidl -- were quite an embarrassment.

Again, you have a bit of info but at least do a fact check prior to posting. Haidl was an assistant sheriff, not a reserve. He was in charge of the reserve program though.

Anyway,,,hopefully she does a good job or Hutchens and Hillman will be gone in 18 months anyway.

Re: the PC you quoted. Uhh, the OCSD gave the badges out. They also gave these guys limited authority. Should they have? No. Did they commit a crime? No.

[DAL]

I know the process you were talking about. One of the supervisors wanted to hire Walters rather than send both Walters and Hutchens to backgrounds. In the end, two men voted for Walters and one man and two women voted for Hutchens. I don't see anything suspect in that. If three men voted for Walters and two for Hutchens, that would have suggested sexism even more. I would not be at all surprised if the supervisors considered it a negative that Walters has worked closely with OCSD.

Carona started the "Level 4" reserve program. Calling those people reserves, and giving them badges that resembled reserve badges was wrong. A recent AG opinion says that giving out "honorary" badges is illegal.

Carona did not even properly background the sworn reserves. And, according to Haidl, he handed out reserve badges and CCWs to his campaign contributors. Even if Haidl is lying, a prudent sheriff would carefully scrutinize reserve appointments and CCW permits,

[Garbage Man]

Back on topic.

I dont care where he is from, if he is a decent guy and doesnt have his head up his rectum then he is one of the rare police managers and I welcome him to John Wayne County.

[Blackavar]

Just to keep the thread hijack in full force let's not forget that the first outsider to run OCSD was Carona who brought in Jaramillo and petitioned the BOS to change the rules so Haidl could come aboard. We all know how that ended.

That being said, the rank and file knew of Jaramillo's many failings before he was appointed. So far I haven't heard anything really negative about any of the three from LA (Chief included). I hope she is as good as advertised and as good as we've heard.

It is beginning to feel/look like OCSD has become the "Orange County Sheriff Department of Los Angeles" though.

[Garbage Man]

Ok Ill get on the hijaked plane here.

The OC is a wierd county to police...You have the little pockets of enforcement areas in the north and the entirety of the south. Frankly I have always thought the north ops areas of the OC were so small and spread out, those communities would all be better served by the local police, I am talking about Rosmoor, Midway City, Sunset beach, the Anaheim pocket and even the small city contract of Stanton. I mean the cars assigned to Rossmoor has to go back up the sunset Beach guy or the Midway car, and often all of the guys are depleted up in the Anaheim pocket. Its just a wierd set up.

In LASD area you have huge areas of unicorporated policing and major contract cities. If Lakewood, Bellflower, Norwalk, Carson or any of those cities were inthe OC they would have their own PD.

I wonder if the new LASD brass will try to gulp up cities like the LASD does.

[Copp'rPenny]

It is beginning to feel/look like OCSD has become the "Orange County Sheriff Department of Los Angeles" though.

You mean, the Los Angeles Sheriff's of Orange County. :D

And yeah, if they're quality people (regardless of gender), bring 'em in.

[McGruff]

It is beginning to feel/look like OCSD has become the "Orange County Sheriff Department of Los Angeles" though.

Just like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? :p

[Bully]

Just like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? :p


Hey, to defend the Angels on this one.........

People that argue about the name change seem to forget that when the Angels were established in 1961 they played at Wrigley Field West which was located in South Central LA. Their name was the Los Angeles Angels and they played in the old Pacific Coast League. They were going to purchase a chunk of land slated for a ball park in Chavez Ravine until the Yankees forced the Dodgers out of Brooklyn. This gave the O'Malley's the chance to steal the land from the Angels.

Anyway, enough of the history lesson. Now the Rams can be the LA Rams of St Louis. Or the Raiders can be the Oakland and LA Raiders of Oakland.....

[CHUCKnmnV]

Can't forget about El Modena.

[DOAcop38]

I got the news from L.A., yesterday, and I verified it with a former co-worker. Deputy Chief Mike Hillmann is retiring from LAPD after 40+ years of service. BUT...he's not done with law enforcement. He's taking an Undersheriff position in Orange County. LAPD's loss is very much the O.C.'s gain.

Mike Hillmann was a leader in SWAT design/tactics, crisis negotiation, coming up with mobile field force tactics, and running unusual occurrances. He was always behind the field troops, not just with words, but with deeds. He's a proven leader.

he was also rather "nice" to us Airport Cops,even on the failed 2005 merger plan ( whereas former specialized PD Poot butt ,Sharon Papa,talked mucho crap about us-like she EVEN knows what any type of policing really is!!). for some reason the L.A. Gen Services PD and L.A. city Park rangers don't like him, but hey - he's the #2 man in OC county policing now.........

[DOAcop38]

Hey, to defend the Angels on this one.........

People that argue about the name change seem to forget that when the Angels were established in 1961 they played at Wrigley Field West which was located in South Central LA. Their name was the Los Angeles Angels and they played in the old Pacific Coast League. They were going to purchase a chunk of land slated for a ball park in Chavez Ravine until the Yankees forced the Dodgers out of Brooklyn. This gave the O'Malley's the chance to steal the land from the Angels.

Anyway, enough of the history lesson. Now the Rams can be the LA Rams of St Louis. Or the Raiders can be the Oakland and LA Raiders of Oakland.....

.... and DON'T FORGET- the "san diego Chargers" were founded as the L.A. Chargers with the demonic Al Davis in their mix. and 2nd tier L.A. Clippers were once in the "basement" in Sand diego too........

[Sgt.Reality]

A "little" education on Chief Hillmann for those that don't know him.

THE LAST ORIGINAL member of the VERY FIRST SWAT team in the U.S.A.

Worked SWAT as an element member, team leader (that's Plus One for in house guys), Came back as LT., Capt. at many divisions including Air Support, Appointed to Deputy Chief by Bratton when he came in.


I'll say with confidence Chief Hillmann is a subject matter expert (understatement) on Crowd Control. The drama that was the MAY 1st incident in 07 was a direct result of not having Hillmann in charge. Hillmann was reassigned by Bratton to revamp how the dept. handles these crowd control events afterwards. While I may disagree with some of the changes, he is very in tune with what works from mgmt. to the troops in crowd control.

He's tesitified and wrote in National LE magazines (regular contributer to THE TACTICAL OFFICER magazine), and testified, studied, taught many classes worldwide on officer's reaction time in an Officer Involved Shooting. I saw him personally climb into bushes as a captain to get the EXACT view the suspect had, officers had for a OIS review. You still don't find command staff with that much conviction.

He's referred to by METRO personnel affectionately as the "Old Man". Respect for him is as high as Gates among tactical officers both in LA county and across the country, even Germany's GS9 and Great Britain's tac teams.


There's a saying carved in wood in Metropolitan Division's Office that reads:

Metropolitan Division is a special place with specical people
EARN YOUR REPUTATION.......Mike Hillmann


Those of you in OC, ask the Chief about "Contributors and Profilers". He will most likely bring it up at conference. Also a big proponent of the Silent Warrior concept.

I will always be proud to have worked under his command, and even more proud to have worn the METRO pin in his tradition.

Farewell Chief Hillmann, THANKYOU for making LAPD a better place, for keeping the troops first (why he is'nt chief of Police), and for making all of us focus on TACTICS FIRST!

[Kieth M.]

Reality -

Thanks for bringing the thread back to where I wanted it.

LAPD's loss is very much the O.C.'s gain.

God speed, and smooth waters, DCP Hillmann!

[Kieth M.]

I just learned today, that on his last night (08/23/08) DCP Mike Hillmann worked a three-man car in LAPD's 77th Street Division. The car consisted of three Hillmanns: DCP Mike Hillmann, Officer Steve Hillmann (his brother) and Sean Hillmann (Mike's nephew and Steve's son). Mike Hillmann even went in brief foot-pursuit of a BFMV suspect. There was waaaaay too much LAPD and media attention being given to them, defeating their purpose for the night's shift, so they ducked out after about four hours. A class act all the way!