There is a new Sheriff in charge of Disneyland

[Darkbeer1]

Well, OK, maybe I should say Police Chief, or his official title, VP of Security and Emergency Services of the DLR.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-733644-chief-hughes.html

I feel for the chief, he is giving up is over $200,000 government job to become a Disney VP, which has to pay more than that.... Plus he will start to get his government pension, and based on 33 years of service, I think his family will be having a nice Christmas.

But he sounds like a very good match, since the job does require him working with local police, OC Sheriffs, Anaheim Fire (and he will be in charge of the Disneyland Fire Department, which is actually a true agency in the eyes of the government, and does a lot of the required inspections, and handles small fires, and calls Anaheim if they need assistance.), plus Homeland Security and all its Federal Agencies.

Glad to see that Disney is taking Security seriously, a lot has changed since the early 2000's, and while part of it is a shame better security is needed, it is good that the Guest Security checks, that when started was a joke, and folks kidded that it was more to catch folks sneaking in food and drink than folks that had a weapon. Nowadays it is a true security check.

 

[TP2000]

In 2015 Chief Hughes as the police chief of the small bedroom community of Fullerton earned a salary of $227,000, plus an additional $131,000 in "benefits". http://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/fullerton/

That means a Disneyland Vice President, a brand new one at that, should start at around $350,000 per year in salary and benefits.

It sounds like he is a good match for Disneyland. A local guy born and raised in OC, plenty of law enforcement experience, widely respected by the community. Good choice!

 

[SSG]

Hopefully he was the hands-on type in his law enforcement career and got out in the field to see what the issues were facing the rank and file officers. And hopefully he brings that type outlook to his new position.

 

[Phroobar]

Looking at the salaries, I should have been a police officer.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Hopefully he was the hands-on type in his law enforcement career and got out in the field to see what the issues were facing the rank and file officers. And hopefully he brings that type outlook to his new position.

While I don't know him personally, I know he was well respected in the community, including the rank and file and the "politicians". So I do think he will have the right "outlook" at Disney.

There is a lot of things I know about Disneyland and its security, and while I might be technically allowed to talk about them, my personal opinion is to let them have their secrets to help protect everyone.

I am happy to say I know the Disneyland Fire Department is well respected in the "fire" community, and gets along with Anaheim and Orange County "partners". Supposedly they get a lot of folks that retire from one department and apply to Disneyland.

One fun story, i came across an undercover officer one day at the park, and saw the fact his weapon was showing due to a shift in his clothing. I discressly went up and let him know, and he was grateful to find out and how I handled it....

I know that a typical guest hates the hassle of the security checks, but they are needed.

I also like the fact that most SoCal Theme Parks have a sub-station on property to allow officers easier access and to do their work, simialr to what many Hospital Emergency rooms do, in offering a "office" for Law enforcement/Fire department a place to do paperwork and take breaks to help them out.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Looking at the salaries, I should have been a police officer.

Well, that is a can of worms, yes, Police officers in general are well paid, get early retirement and good pensions, but then again, they place their lives on the line, and have to deal with some "problem people" and still keep a good attitude for those "good people" they deal with, even in just say pulling someone over for speeding. They have no idea who is behind the wheel (well, nowadays with computers, they have a good idea after running the license plate). But they have to think you are a "bad" person out to do them harm, until they can determine that you are not a threat. Shame that is the case, but "such is life".

It is also a shame the the Military gets treated a lot differently, in low pay and benefits, and they place their lives on the line, but we are getting into "politics", so enough said.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Almost totally off-topic, but worth a mention.. The Los Angeles Police Department Chief, Charlie Beck was enjoying his weekend off, and was riding a dirt bike (motocross), and crashed. He broke his pelvis in the crash, but then, since he was by himself, got back on his bike to get help. Amazing... (And he also broke his Collarbone in 2012 due to a dirt bike crash).

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-charlie-beck-fractured-pelvis-20161030-story.html