Three Strikes and He’s Out of Another Job With City : Budget cuts: Police Chief Michael L. Sorg, who is losing his third government position in eight years, has become a symbol of San Clemente’s run of bad luck.

After only eight months on the job, Michael L. Sorg was just getting used to being called “chief” down at the city’s 65-year-old Police Department.

But now, with the recent City Council cost-cutting decision to disband the agency and contract for law enforcement with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Sorg is searching for a new title.

It’s not the first time.

In eight years, Sorg has lost three high-level positions to budget cuts. All in the same city. Right here in San Clemente, where he has become a symbol of the city’s run of bad luck.

“I kind of feel like a duck in one of those shooting galleries,” said Sorg, 49, with a laugh. “This is the third position I’ve held that they’re eliminating. What are they trying to tell me?”

In 1985, after working five years as a lieutenant in the San Clemente Police Department, Sorg decided to make a career change and became the city’s public services director. When that post was axed in 1990, he became one of two assistant city managers. Then last summer, Sorg lost that job to cuts and moved back to the 75-member Police Department, taking over for retiring Chief Albert C. Ehlow.

City Manager Michael W. Parness sings Sorg’s praises.

“Mike has filled a critical role,” Parness said. “He’s served the city well. He’s been used where he’s been needed the most--at any given time. That has benefited the city tremendously.”

Sorg said he’s not surprised by the latest twist in his career.

“I saw how big the problems were,” he said. “I just wished there were other ways to deal with them.”

After months of emotional debate, the City Council voted 4-1 on Feb. 17 to abolish the police force and contract with the Sheriff’s Department, a move that could save the cash-strapped city about $2 million in the first year.

Throughout the controversy that has erupted in the community over the issue--which has four council members facing a recall election over their vote--Sorg has maintained that a city-run police agency gives residents personal touches he does not believe the larger Sheriff’s Department can provide.

Sorg said the recall will only be divisive and prolong the uncertainty that has plagued the department, yet he’s proud of the vocal support for the department from residents and business owners.

“It’s unfortunate it went the way it did,” he said. “But you have to face real life. I don’t like it, but I understand it.”

Sorg said his greatest reservation about disbanding the department has nothing to do with the record of the Sheriff’s Department, but rather with the years of work that went into building the local force.

One thing that motivated Sorg to take a pay cut of $200 a month to come to San Clemente from the Huntington Beach Police Department in 1980 was the humanistic style of policing championed by then-chief Gary Brown.

“That’s the personal touch people feel is so important,” Sorg said.

A final contract from the Sheriff’s Department will go back to the City Council for approval in about 90 days. Officials hope to make the change in police power July 1.

Sorg said he only recently began thinking about his future--whether he will join the Sheriff’s Department, try for yet another position in the city, or leave government altogether.

“I purposely avoided thinking about my future,” he said. “I thought if I’m giving that much thought about what I would do, that it would color my judgment.”

Although Sorg has spent most of his short tenure as chief dealing with budget problems, he’s pleased with efforts to bring a more community-based, “spirit-of-the-law” style to the department. Sheriff’s officials have assured Sorg they will continue that effort.

“They really want to do it the best way possible,” Sorg said. “I feel a little bit better.”