Police Union Pulls Sheriff Endorsement Over Private Investigator Work

I'm not sure how well thought out this was:

The Santa Ana police union has withdrawn its endorsement of sheriff’s candidate Bill Hunt, citing his work as a private investigator in defense of a reputed gang member.

Hunt, a former sheriff’s lieutenant running on a law and order platform, is part of the defense team for reputed F-Troop member Victor Lua. Lua, 20, was recently bound for trial after a preliminary hearing on robbery charges.

Hunt’s court appearance set off tremors of protest among Santa Ana and other officers who believe that he should not be working on behalf of gang members while running for the county’s top cop position.

In a interview Monday, Hunt said he believes that Lua is innocent and that a criminal defense is a constitutional right.

“I could understand it if I were breaking the law, but I’m doing my job,” Hunt said. “Law enforcement is a little myopic, not everybody who gets arrested is guilty or found guilty.”

Added Hunt: “When I’m sheriff, everybody who comes into our custody will have his rights protected.”

Santa Ana Police Officers Association President Joe Perez said the 560-member union took offense to Hunt providing advice on how to weaken the prosecution’s case against Lua (pictured below right).

“He shows up and questions my officer’s expertise, this is a man who’s going to be sheriff,” Perez said. He acknowledged that a lot of former police officers work as private investigators for defense lawyers.

“But a lot of cops don’t try to come back and be the head of the department,” Perez said.

Hunt is quoted in another article:

"I'm the constitutional candidate," said Hunt. "Everybody is entitled to their Sixth Amendment constitutional rights and the right to a fair defense. I'm simply standing up for that here with someone who I believe is innocent."

The police chief in Santa Ana has endorsed the current sheriff, and this withdrawal of an endorsement by the Officer's Association seems based much more on professional jealousy than experience and qualifications. Whether or not Lua is guilty is up to the courts and he is entitled to a vigorous defense if he wishes to put one on. I know a lot of cops who have gone into private investigation and that doesn't make them an enemy of the police, just another part of the legal system.  And if they're employed by the defense the expectation is they will use whatever tools are available to them to help their client.  Nothing wrong with that.