⚠️ 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 8 findings
F1
Page 12
The Grand Jury determined the combining of the office of city manager and police chief positions critically weakened the checks-and-balances with regards to personnel issues. This eliminated the division of authority to more than one person and position.
F2
Page 12
A number of costly employee settlements resulted from the aforementioned combination of these two positions.
F3
Page 12
The Grand Jury determined that the lack of meaningful evidence made allegations of Brown Act violations difficult to substantiate.
F4
Page 12
Some City council members were involved in discussions over union issues at private residences and outside the parameters of established procedures.
F5
Page 12
The cost of the employee settlements contributed to the city’s poor financial condition and the necessity to impose employee furloughs.
F6
Page 18
A resigned board member had not been replaced at time of this report.
F7
Page 18
An off-site staff development meeting cost in excess of $4,000.
F8
Page 18
The Bond/Citizen’s Oversight Committee meets approximately every other month.
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 12Lindsay City Council members should thoroughly familiarize themselves with open meeting laws (Brown Act) and generally acceptable procedures for conducting municipal business.
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R2Page 12The Lindsay City Council should be more deliberative when considering the combining of key managerial positions. 8
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R3Page 19Teleconferences and/or webinars should be utilized whenever available.
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R4Page 28Warnings of cell door operations to be printed in the Inmate Orientation Handbook.
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R5Page 50When rehabilitating public parks, adding water retention and percolation capabilities should be considered. 46
Conclusions 34
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CL1 Page 28The Tulare County Sheriff Disclaimer Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon specific approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Section 911, 924.1 (a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defined purposes (Penal Code Section 924.2 and 929). 24
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CL2 Page 29Per PRCS, court mandated random drug testing is at the Probation Officer’s discretion. However, the Tulare County Probation Office requires that high risk drug offenders be tested a minimum of every thirty (30) days.
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CL3 Page 29Individuals on PRCS are responsible for notifying their Probation Officer of any address changes.
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CL4 Page 29The complainant was homeless at the time of the incident.
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CL5 Page 29Tulare Police Department has a written policy regarding the use of TASERS. 25
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CL6 Page 32On January 20, 2015, the Internal Affairs Division was advised by the Office of the District Attorney that criminal charges would not be pursued against Tulare County Sheriff’s staff.
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CL7 Page 32Administrative action was taken against Tulare County Sheriff’s staff involved in this incident.
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CL8 Page 32The Office of the District Attorney has the prosecutorial discretion to determine which cases will be prosecuted and those which will not. FINDINGS: F1. The Tulare County Sheriff’s staff did not follow established use of force policies and procedures. F2. The Tulare County Grand Jury found inconsistencies between written reports and video footage. F3. Evidence reviewed by the Grand Jury did not indicate if additional training and/or discipline had been administered to all participants in the incident. F4. Subsequent to the Grand Jury’s receipt of this complaint, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department has instituted: a) comprehensive correctional officer training; b) reforms in hiring practices; c) review of disciplinary processes; and, d) upgraded technology. F5. The Tulare County Grand Jury found misconceptions to exist on the part of the staff of the Office of the District Attorney with respect to the investigative role, jurisdiction, and responsibilities of the Grand Jury. F6. After review of all evidence presented, the Grand Jury determined that physical abuse occurred and unwarranted force was used. F7. The Grand Jury was not advised by the Office of the District Attorney as to the rationale for declining prosecution of this case.
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CL9 Page 35The cost per inmate, per meal dropped from $1.48 in FY 2007-2008, to $1.36 in FY 2014-2015.
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CL10 Page 35Two mobile chicken coops were designed and built for the TCSO. They provide approximately one thousand eggs per day. This accounts for half of the eggs consumed by the inmates.
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CL11 Page 35The initial savings in the cost of eggs was $1,530 per week. Annual savings is estimated at $53,000.
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CL12 Page 35The TCSO is in the process of acquiring two additional mobile chicken coops.
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CL13 Page 35All beef and pork consumed by the inmates is completely produced by the TCSO farming program. About 4,000 lbs. of hanging meat (beef and/or pork) is provided weekly.
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CL14 Page 35By not purchasing outside-sourced beef and pork, there is an approximate $320,000 annual savings.
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CL15 Page 35Approximately 120,000 pounds per year of tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, eggplant, okra, sweet corn, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, cabbage, Fresno chilies, Jalapenos, watermelon, and cantaloupe are grown by the farming program. This results in significant annual cost savings.
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CL16 Page 35Excess fruits and vegetables are traded to packing houses and gleaning organizations for other produce not grown by the TCSO farming program.
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CL17 Page 35The farming program also has benefits by teaching agricultural and pastoral trades to inmates. Some of the County’s programs provide competency certificates to participating inmates.
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CL18 Page 35The TCSO operates six (6) inmate work crews. There are two (2) litter removal crews, one (1) tire abatement crew, one (1) gleaning crew, one (1) garden and farming crew and one (1) beef and hog crew. 31
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CL19 Page 60Tulare Local Health Care District Board of Directors Disclaimer Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon specific approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Section 911, 924.1 (a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defined purposes (Penal Code Section 924.2 and 929). 56
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CL20 Page 63Identify the nature of your complaint.
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CL21 Page 63Identify all the people involved and how they might be contacted.
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CL22 Page 63If needed, the location of the occurrence that precipitated your complaint.
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CL23 Page 63Furnish originals or copies of documents and / or recordings that may support your allegation. (according to Ca. Evidence Code 140 all submitted documents & recordings are evidence and will not be returned)
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CL24 Page 63Be specific in reporting the reasons for you claim. Avoid making broad statements. Confidentiality The complainant’s identity is rigorously guarded and the Grand Jury is forbidden, by law, to release any information about investigations. You will receive written acknowledgment of this complaint after it is received and reviewed by the Grand Jury. This acknowledgment will be mailed to the address on the form. 59
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CL25 Page 65ACTION WHICH YOU BELIEVE WE SHOULD TAKE: Excerpt from the Grand Juror’s Oath:”…I will keep my counsel, and that of my fellow Grand Jurors and of the government, and will not, except when required in the due course of judicial proceedings or authorized by statute, disclose the testimony of any witness examined before the Grand Jury, nor anything which I or any other Grand Juror my have said, nor the manner in which I or any other Grand Juror may have voted on any matter before the Grand Jury…” 61
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CL26 Page 68Spouse / Domestic Partner Name: Occupation: If retired, list previous occupation you retired from: Employer:
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CL27 Page 68Are you or any immediate family member an appointed or elected public officer of any public agency? If yes, explain:
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CL28 Page 68Are you currently involved in any litigation (law suits) in this county? 64
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CL29 Page 69Are you or any of your immediate family members employed by the County of Tulare? or any school district within the county? If yes, where?
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CL30 Page 69Do you have any significant problems reading or understanding the English Language?
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CL31 Page 69Do you have any suggestions, comments or other matters you would like to bring to the judges attention in connection with your application?
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CL32 Page 69Please tell us about any special skills or abilities that you have which the judges should know about in considering your application?
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CL33 Page 69Please tell us why you are interested in serving on the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury. (Please attach additional pages as needed)
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CL34 Page 69Describe any background experience or skills you have which would be helpful to grand jury service (i.e., computer skills, leadership skills, or experience writing/editing reports, working in groups, or conducting investigations or interviews.) Would you be willing to serve in any of the following capacities? FOREPERSON Yes No SECRETARY Yes No COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON Yes No Mail in or deliver questionnaire to: Civil Grand Jury Tulare County Superior Court 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303 Visalia, CA 93291 Or Fax to: (559) 737-4290 NOTE: Applicants for nomination as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury are subject to investigation by an appropriate law enforcement agency as to the statutory qualifications for service and the applicant’s ability and suitability for service. In support of my application for selection as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury, I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true and correct. Signed: Date: PLEASE RETURN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE NO LATER THAN: April 21, 2017 65
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Tulare County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Tulare County District Attorney
Elected County Office