Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2010-2011

Doing the Best We Can, with What We Got a Report on the Willits Police Department March 31, 2011

Published: March 31, 2011 4 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 27 findings

F1
At the time of the GJ visit, the WPD staff consisted of one Chief of Police, four Sergeants, and seven Officers. There is one Reserve Officer, one Community Service Officer, four full time and one part-time Dispatchers who also maintain records. One officer is qualified to be on the SWAT (Special Weapon and Tactic) team when needed; one Officer position is vacant.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
City of Willits provide funding for the vacant officer position. (Findings 1, 5, 8-9)
R2
Willits City Council approve the hiring of a retired officer for a part time position to augment the current police force. (Findings 1, 5, 8-9)
F2
WPD dispatchers are receiving more cellular 911 calls each year due to the accessibility of cell phones.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
WPD currently does not contribute an officer to the Task Force.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The WPD does not have a K-9 Unit, due to budget constraints. The K-9 unit was discontinued in 1996.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
At the time of the GJ visit, no officers had been hired in the last sixteen months.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Two officers are bi-lingual. RosettaStone software is available to help officers become bilingual.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Officers work 12 hour shifts, four days per week, resulting in overtime.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Chief of Police is required to do routine patrol when multiple incidents occur simultaneously, even though off duty.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
City of Willits provide funding for the vacant officer position. (Findings 1, 5, 8-9)
R2
Willits City Council approve the hiring of a retired officer for a part time position to augment the current police force. (Findings 1, 5, 8-9)
F9
Current applicants for officer positions must be experienced, since officers in field training are not allowed to work without supervision. Patrol cars are currently staffed by one officer.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
City of Willits provide funding for the vacant officer position. (Findings 1, 5, 8-9)
R2
Willits City Council approve the hiring of a retired officer for a part time position to augment the current police force. (Findings 1, 5, 8-9)
F10
Individuals detained under Penal Code §5150 (danger to themselves or others) are taken to the local hospital. The officer remains with the detainee at the hospital until a mental health worker arrives and determines the status of the detainee.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Gang activity exists in Willits; gangs are multi-racial.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Persons who commit minor offenses may be cited and released. Others, who commit more serious offenses, are taken into custody and transported to Mendocino County Jail.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
An officer is required to remain in the building when a prisoner is held in one of the four holding cells.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
To save time and cost, prisoners are taken directly to Mendocino County Jail for booking.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Transporting prisoners to the Mendocino County Jail is costly, often requiring overtime, affecting WPD staffing.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Since the closure of the Willits branch of the Mendocino County Superior Court, Officers must travel to Ukiah or Fort Bragg to testify, leaving WPD short staffed.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Officer testimony can create overtime cost. There is a minimum of three hours pay when an off duty officer is called to testify.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
At the time of the GJ visit no complaints have been filed against WPD.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The shooting range for the City of Willits’ is located the watershed property and is used for gun training. Lead-free frangible ammunition is used for training. Lead ammunition is only fired into the bullet-trap. Lead-free bullets are used for pop-up target training or off-trap training.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The sign, directing the public to the WPD facility, is missing and currently stored at the Willits Department of Public Works.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
City of Willits Public Works Department re-install the sign identifying the location of the WPD, (Finding 20)
F21
General Services maintains WPD’s emergency generator.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
General Services consult an outside engineer to determine if the leaking roof has caused structural damage, including mold; and to recommend a solution. (Findings 21, 27)
F22
The WPD uses County IT and shares information with the Sheriff’s Office using the Report Management System program.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
The WPD current budget includes additional funding of $100,000 from the State COPS (Citizens Options for Police Services) Grant. The goals of the grant are: • bring Willits Justice Center temporary holding facility into compliance with State laws, rules and regulations, • to relieve field operation officer of the booking, processing, and transporting of arrestees, • learn the evidence functions of the Willits Police Department, • ensure a safe and humane environment for arrestees, as well as for officers and the general public, • continue parking enforcement and administration program.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
Asset forfeiture (AF) funds may be used to support anti-gang and training programs, equipment, and officer overtime expenses.
No recommendations for this finding
F25
Law Enforcement Administrators Association (LEAA) funds are a portion of AF distribution used for the sole purpose of funding programs to combat drug use, anti- gang programs, and for educator/parent/community organizations, and local businesses to involve their interest in the programs.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
The WPD disbursed $33,200 of LEAA funds between March 2010 and August 2010 to local middle and high schools for youth, sports, and after school programs with primary emphasis on drug and gang prevention. Also, receiving funds were Youth Based Emergency Services Summer Camp (YES Camp), Alcohol and Other Drug Programs (AODP) and Gang Resistance is Paramount (GRIP).
No recommendations for this finding
F27
WPD is located in a County owned building. The roof has leaked every year since 1988 when the building was first occupied. Repeated repairs by General Services have not been successful. Leaks are known to cause structural damage and mold.
No recommendations for this finding