Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2006-2007
City of Willits Police Department & Holding Cells March 22, 2007
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
The staff consists of the Chief of Police, three sergeants, nine officers, five dispatchers (of which three are part time), and a Community Service Officer who also serves as an Evidence Clerk. One officer’s position is unfilled, and two officers are seeking employment elsewhere.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
vacant staff position be filled. (Finding 1)
F2
The building occupied by the WPD is owned by Mendocino County. A portion is leased by the City of Willits for the WPD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
the cause of the rainwater leakage be determined and corrected. (Finding 2, 3)
F3
Rainwater leaks into the WPD’s office making it necessary to cover records and electronic equipment with plastic tarps. This condition has persisted since the building was constructed in 1988.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The annual budget for the police department is inconsistent.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The County General Services Agency, under agreement with the WPD, provides computer technical support. These services have improved over prior years.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The WPD computer system is integrated into the County Sheriff’s system; not all information in the Sheriff’s system is accessible to WPD.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Higher pay in neighboring counties, is one of many issues making recruitment and retention of officers difficult.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The WPD’s security gate is malfunctioning. It has caused damage to vehicles by unexpectedly closing.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
the security gate needs to be repaired or replaced. (Finding 8)
F9
There is no countywide prisoner transport system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
a countywide prisoner transport system be implemented. (Finding 9-11) Comments The Holding Cells located in the City of Willits Police Department are clean and the facility runs smoothly. Staffing shortages are handled by a “Different Hats” approach; where an employee knows and can perform another employee’s job. A solution to the transportation difficulties would be for the County to provide a 24/7 prisoner transport service, thus allowing the Officers and Deputies to remain in their communities and perform their assigned duties, as required.
F10
Most calls for service are complaints about transients who are homeless and may be under the influence of a substance, a misdemeanor offense.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
a countywide prisoner transport system be implemented. (Finding 9-11) Comments The Holding Cells located in the City of Willits Police Department are clean and the facility runs smoothly. Staffing shortages are handled by a “Different Hats” approach; where an employee knows and can perform another employee’s job. A solution to the transportation difficulties would be for the County to provide a 24/7 prisoner transport service, thus allowing the Officers and Deputies to remain in their communities and perform their assigned duties, as required.
F11
Misdemeanor arrests are kept to a minimum due to the need to supervise or transport arrestees to the County jail. Citations may be issued instead.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
a countywide prisoner transport system be implemented. (Finding 9-11) Comments The Holding Cells located in the City of Willits Police Department are clean and the facility runs smoothly. Staffing shortages are handled by a “Different Hats” approach; where an employee knows and can perform another employee’s job. A solution to the transportation difficulties would be for the County to provide a 24/7 prisoner transport service, thus allowing the Officers and Deputies to remain in their communities and perform their assigned duties, as required.
Comments 1
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CO1The Holding Cells located in the City of Willits Police Department are clean and the facility runs smoothly. Staffing shortages are handled by a “Different Hats” approach; where an employee knows and can perform another employee’s job. A solution to the transportation difficulties would be for the County to provide a 24/7 prisoner transport service, thus allowing the Officers and Deputies to remain in their communities and perform their assigned duties, as required.
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Mendocino County Sheriff
Elected County Office
Willits
City