14 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
– LEAs in Monterey County lacked awareness and provided unclear and inconsistent information as to whether there are any backlogged rape kits. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea partially disagrees with the finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. However, The Carmel Police Department (CPD) tracks and is aware of the status of sexual assault rape kits that have been collected in relation to investigations conducted by the CPD.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Finding 1 - LEAs in Monterey County lacked awareness and provided unclear and inconsistent information as to whether there are any backlogged rape kits. The City of Monterey partially disagrees with this finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. However, the Monterey Police Department (MPD) tracks and is aware of the status of sexual assault rape kits that have been collected in relation to investigations conducted by the MPD.
F2
- The lack of a centralized place to post information has resulted in a lack of consistency in the way that LEAs manage and track sexual assaults. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea partially disagrees with the finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. The Carmel Police Department (CPD) participates in monthly meetings with other law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney's Office to coordinate sexual assault investigations. The CPD is part of the Sexual Assault Response Te...
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Finding 2-The lack of a centralized place to post information has resulted in a lack of consistency in the way that LEAs manage and track sexual assaults. CITY HAU.. • M01''TEREY • CALIFORNIA • !l:i94() • sa I ,(l40.:i7(j() • FAX S:l I .(>4-G.:!79:l Website • www.montcrcy.or!l Page 2 The City of Monterey partially disagrees with this finding. we cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. The Monterey Police Department (MPD) participates in a monthly meeting with other law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney's Office to coordinate sexual assault investigations. The MPD is part ...
R2
- By January 15, 2020, the governing bodies of all Monterey County LEAs should assign a representative to participate in the DA - led centralized reporting initiative. This recommendation has been implemented by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. As was previously described, the Carmel Police Department (CPD) participates in a monthly meeting with the District Attorney's office regarding sexual assaults. The CPD will continue to participate with the District Attorney's Office and other law enforceme...
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Recommendation 2- By January 15, 2020, the governing bodies of all Monterey County LEAs should assign a representative to participate in the DA-led centralized reporting initiative. This recommendation has been implemented in the City of Monterey. As was previously described, the Monterey Police Department sends representatives to participate in monthly meetings with the District Attorney's Office regarding sexual assaults. The MPD will continue to participate with the District Attorney's Office and other law enforcement entities in ensuring crimes are properly investigated and coordinated.
F3
- At the beginning of this investigation, not all the LEAs were prepared to report the Rape Kit status information to the CDOJ as required by PC 680.4. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea partially disagrees with the finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. The Carmel Police Department does report their Rape Kit status information to CDOJ as required by PC 680.4.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Finding 3 - At the beginning of this investigation, not all the LEAs were prepared to report the Rape Kit status information to the CDOJ as required by PC 680.4. The City of Monterey partially disagrees with this finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. The Monterey Police Department has reported the Rape Kit seo.4. status information to the CDOJ as required by PC
R3
- By July 1, 2019, every Monterey County LEA should report to the CDOJ the required data outlined in PC 680.4. This recommendation has been implemented by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Police Department (CPD) reported required data to CDOJ by July 1, 2019, and will continue to report the required data to the CDOJ outlined in PC 680.4.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Recommendation 3 - By July 1, 2019, every Monterey County LEA should report to the CDOJ the required data outlined in PC 680.4. This recommendation has been implemented in the City of Monterey. The Monterey Police Department reported required data to the CDOJ by July 1, 2019, ~nd will continue to do ·so, as outlined in Penal Code section 680.4.
F4
- There is advanced training available for sexual assault investigators, but LEAs are instead relying upon senior investigators to provide "on the job training to other investigators within their respective departments." The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea disagrees with this finding. While we cannot speak to the practices of other agencies, the Carmel Police Department (CPD) sends all detectives to a Sexual Assault Investigator Course when assigned to the CPD Investigations Division. The detective cu...
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Finding 4-There is advanced training available for sexual assault investigators, but LEAs are instead relying upon senior investigators to provide "on the job training to other investigators within their respective departments." The City of Monterey disagrees with this finding. While we cannot speak to the practices of other agencies, the Monterey Police Department does not solely rely upon senior investigators to provide "on the job training to other investigators within their respective departments." MPD sends all detectives to a Sexual Assault Investigator Course when assigned to the MPD In...
R4
- By July 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, every Monterey County LEA should report to their governing body and the public the required data outlined in PC 680.4. This recommendation has been implemented by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Police Department reports to their governing body and the public items related to PC 680.4, and the Carmel Police Department (CPD) will work with the Carmel-by- the- Sea City Attorney's Office to determine what can publicly be reported upon any reques...
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Recommendation 4 - By July 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, every Monterey County LEA should report to their governing body and the public the required data outlined in PC 680.4. This recommendation has been implemented in the City of Monterey. The Monterey Police Department reports to their governing body and the public items related to PC 680.4, and MPD will strive to make available non-confidential information. The report submitted by the MPD to the CDOJ in compliance with Penal Code section 680.4 is a public record, and as such it will be disclosed in response to any request.
F5
- Training for advanced skills in the forensics of sexual assault investigations is not prioritized in the budgeting process. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea disagrees with this finding. The City of Carmel-by-the- Sea and CPD ensures that there is funding for all CPD detectives to attend sexual assault training. This is a priority for the CPD.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Finding 5 - Training for advanced skills in the forensics of sexual assault investigations is not prioritized in the budgeting process. The City of Monterey disagrees with this finding. The City of Monterey, through its Police Department budget, ensures that there is funding for all Monterey Police Department detectives to attend sexual assault training. This is a priority for the MPD.
R5
- By July 15, 2020, every Monterey County LEA should develop a funding source, such as grants, for additional expertise training and recertification within the Sexual Assault and Forensic Division. This recommendation has been implemented by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Police Department (CPD) consistently searches for grant opportunities and leverages any successful grant awards with the CPD operating budget.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Recommendation 5- By July 15, 2020, every Monterey County LEA should develop a funding source, such as grants, for additional expertise training and recertification within the Sexual Assault and Forensic Division. · Page 4 This recommendation has been implemented ln the City of Monterey. The Monterey Police Department consistently searches for grant opportunities and leverages any successful grant awards with the MPD operating budget.
F6
– Some LEAs rely on cross-training less experienced patrol officers to supplement understaffed investigative teams rather than prioritizing the strategic increase of well-trained investigators. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea partially disagrees with the finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. The Carmel Police Department (CPD) places a priority on training detectives in sexual assault investigations as described in Finding #4. Additionally, the CPD has officers that were prev...
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Finding 6 - Some LEAs rely on cross-training less experienced patrol officers to supplement understaffed investigative teams rather than prioritizing the strategic increase of well-trained investigators. The City of Monterey partially disagrees with this finding. We cannot speak to the practices of other agencies. As described previously, the Monterey Police Department places a priority on training detectives in sexual assault investigations. Additionally, the MPD has patrol officers who were previously assigned as detectives and attended the sexual assault investigation training.
R6
- By fiscal year 2020-2021, every Monterey County LEA should add or dedicate certified staff for Sexual Assault Investigations and include that increased cost in their budgets. This recommendation has been implemented by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. As was previously described, all Carmel Police Detectives are California POST trained in sexual assault investigations. All sexual assault investigation are handled by our detectives. We hope that this information addresses the Grand Jury's finding...
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
Recommendation 6 - By fiscal yea
F7
- All jurisdictions can expedite the investigations of rape crimes through access to the RADS processing to facilitate timely resolution of rape cases. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea agrees with this finding. The Carmel Police Department has access to and utilizes the RADS processing system.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Finding 7 - All jurisdictions can expedite the investigations of rape crimes through access to the RADS processing to facilitate timely resolution of rape cases. Page 3 The City of Monterey agrees with this finding. The Monterey Police Department already expedites the investigations of rape crimes through access and utilization of the RADS processing system.
F8
- Most LEAs in Monterey County have implemented DNA testing protocols established by the CDOJ which have reduced the likelihood of unprocessed DNA evidence. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea agrees with this finding. The Carmel Police Department has implemented DNA testing protocols that are in compliance with CDOJ.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Finding 8 - Most LEAs in Monterey County have implemented DNA testing protocols established by the CDOJ which have reduced the likelihood of unprocessed DNA evidence. The City of Monterey agrees with this finding. The Monterey Police Department has implemented DNA testing protocols that are in compliance with CDOJ.
F9
- There is no centralized authority coordinating all LEAs in Monterey County regarding collection, processing and reporting of sexual assaults. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea partially disagrees with this finding. The Carmel Police Department (CPD) complies with all state mandates and employs contemporary best practices to investigate sexual assaults. The CPD attends monthly meetings with other Monterey County Sexual Assault Investigators including the District Attorney to share information and c...
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Finding 9 - There is no centralized authority coordinating all LEAs in Monterey County regarding collection, processing and reporting of sexual assaults. The City of Monterey partially disagrees with this finding. The MPD complies with all ·state-mandates·and employs contemporary best µractices to investigate sexual assaults. The MPD attends monthly meetings with other Monterey County Sexual Assault Investigators including the District Attorney to share information and coordinate any investigations that may be occurring in other jurisdictions. RECOMMENDATIONS