Dismissed O.C. Sheriff’s Academy Instructor Calls the Move Political

A retired lieutenant who supported the runner-up to Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona in the June 6 election said he has filed a legal claim against the county, alleging that his dismissal as a sheriff’s academy instructor was politically motivated.

Darrell “Guy” Poncy, who taught courses at the sheriff’s academy for 15 years, said supervisors told him Feb. 22 that he could no longer teach there because of his “personal attacks against the sheriff.”

“I never said anything about him that was personal,” Poncy said. “How does he help the academy by firing an instructor who taught about police stress and police suicide? ... There was nothing to be gained, except his own personal satisfaction that he could reach out and touch me.”

Assistant Sheriff Jo Ann Galisky, a spokeswoman for the department, said she was not aware of Poncy’s legal filing, but “any such claim that alleges there was political retaliation is false.”

Poncy’s claim, the first step toward a lawsuit, comes as the sheriff is being scrutinized over his decision to suspend Lt. Bill Hunt and to demote two of Hunt’s supporters. The actions were taken days after Carona narrowly beat Hunt in the sheriff’s race.

Hunt is on paid leave while he is being investigated for “statements, actions and accusations” made during the campaign, which Carona contends the 1st Amendment does not protect. There has been no explanation of what statements or actions triggered the investigation. One demoted deputy has been restored to his position on probationary status.

County supervisors are scheduled today to discuss issues surrounding Hunt’s suspension.

Poncy joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1977. He worked a number of assignments, serving in the homicide, major fraud and internal affairs units. He served as commander of the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy from 1997 to 2000 and retired two years ago.

Poncy said that, months before he was told he could no longer teach at the academy, he wrote a letter to Carona explaining why he was backing the lieutenant.

“The best interests of the community and the department have been subjugated to your political self interests,” he wrote. “As such, you have subjected yourself and the department to allegations of criminal and ethical misconduct.”

Poncy said he was vigilant about keeping politics out of the classroom, never offering an opinion to recruits under his instruction.

He said he had received nothing but “stellar” evaluations from students and staffers at the academy, and that no one had expressed a problem with his work.

Poncy’s lawyer, Tim Thurman, gave The Times a copy of the claim.

He said he mailed it to the clerk of the Board of Supervisors on May 25. He said he also sent a copy to the Board of Trustees of Rancho Santiago Community College District. The district oversees Santa Ana College, which helps run the sheriff’s academy.

The supervisors’ clerk and officials with the college district said they have not seen the claim.