O.C. Sheriff Seeks Attorney in Reserve-Deputies Dispute

Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona wants to hire an attorney to help represent the department in its dispute with the state over the 1999 appointments of special reserve deputies and for other personnel issues.

Carona plans to go before the Board of Supervisors next week to ask permission to retain Martin J. Mayer as outside legal counsel for up to $100,000 a year through 2008, at an hourly rate of $195, according to an agenda item on the June 28 calendar.

Mayer and sheriff’s officials did not return calls on the matter.

Next month, Carona and political advisor Michael Schroeder are scheduled to meet with the state’s Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training to argue for the reinstatement of 56 reserve deputies who were appointed in 1999 before they were properly trained or had background checks.

The commission removed the deputies from the state peace officer database in 2002 after determining they did not meet basic standards.

Several sheriff’s sources said Carona met Wednesday with Schroeder, Mayer and other sheriff’s officials to discuss the legal strategies they have been weighing in the dispute with the commission.

Mayer, a partner in the Fullerton law firm of Mayer & Jones, was once a reserve police officer, serving nine years with the Downey Police Department, according to his law firm’s website.

He represents more than 70 agencies in California in his role as general counsel for the California Police Chiefs Assn. and California State Sheriffs’ Assn.