Calif. Sheriff's Special Officers Stripped of Arrest Powers

About 200 Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff's special safety officers have lost their arrest powers and can no longer carry a gun off duty without a concealed carry permit, after the state's training board ruled they don't have enough training.

About 200 Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff's special safety officers have lost their arrest powers and can no longer carry a gun off duty without a concealed carry permit, after the state's training board ruled they don't have enough training.

The special officers patrol John Wayne Airport, act as court guards and work in county buildings, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens made the move after the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training notified the department in May that the special safety officers may not meet the minimum standard for sworn police officers with arrest powers.

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