The Anaheim Police Association (APA) announced their endorsement of Karen Schatzle’s campaign for Superior Court Judge today. Incorporated in 1967, the APA is the only recognized bargaining unit for the 360 men and women serving as police officers in Orange County’s largest city.
“Karen Schatzle’s strong support of the men and women in law enforcement and ethical dedication to her work in public safety was the key in obtaining our endorsement,” said APA President Kerry Condon. “We believe she has the experience and qualifications necessary to be a great judge – one that is firm, ethical, and fair.”
To date, Schatzle’s campaign has earned support from a wide range of public safety organizations, including:
- Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)
- Civil Action Committee of the Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys
- Orange County Court Reporters
- Anaheim Police Association
- Fullerton Police Officers’ Association
- Huntington Beach Police Officers’ Association
- Los Alamitos Police Officers’ Association
- La Habra Police Officers’ Association
- Westminster Police Officers’ Association
Schatzle currently serves as a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County. She dedicated the majority of her career to prosecuting violent felony cases with a primary focus on physical child abuse and sex offenses. She was then promoted to Team Leader, which is a position that allows her to assist in all the functions associated with the office. She has also prosecuted general felonies, major narcotic offenses, attempted murders, and career criminals. She has successfully tried in excess of 86 cases and is certified as a Criminal Law expert.
Prior to serving as a prosecutor, Schatzle worked for the Orange County Probation Department. While working in the department’s gang unit, she was part of a coalition that partnered with social services, law enforcement, probation officers, and prosecutors; this alliance was focused on a unified effort to reduce gang violence. She was post certified to carry a weapon and worked the streets at night, with both the Orange and Santa Ana police departments.
Schatzle is a mother of three and resident of Orange.
The seat Schatzle is running for is currently occupied by Judge Scott Steiner, who was publicly censured in 2014 by the California Commission on Judicial Performance for having sex in his chambers with former law students. Some of the encounters occurred while the court was open.
He was also disciplined for a number of other rules violations, including trying to help one of his sex partners get a job at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Steiner was elected to the bench in 2010 without any opposition.