Score: +17 (23/12/6)
Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Preventing Crime is a Priority a Report on the Fort Bragg Police Department

Published: March 09, 2010 3 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 19 findings

F1
The FBPD staff consists of: one Chief of Police, one Administrative Assistant, one Captain, three Sergeants, one School Resource Officer, two Police Services Technicians, nine Police Officers, two Community Service Officers, and one Detective, who is presently assigned to the Task Force.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
In February 2010, there was a 10% reduction in staff, decreasing the number to the 1990 levels.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
There are two bilingual officers who receive additional pay.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
One of the three community service officer positions has been frozen.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
the Fort Bragg City Council request asset forfeiture funds from the District Attorney to temporarily fund three community service officers. (Finding 4)
F5
The School Resource Officer funding will end July 2010.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
the Fort Bragg Unified School District request asset forfeiture funds from the District Attorney to temporarily fund the position of school resource officer. (Finding 5)
R3
the District Attorney fund anti-drug and gang prevention programs in all Mendocino County School Districts using asset forfeiture funds for the 2010- 2011 School Year. (Finding 5)
F6
The FBPD dispatch services are provided by the Ukiah Police Department.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The FBPD reinstated their K-9 unit with a trained dog, donated by an out-of- county law enforcement agency.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The booking area is available to other law enforcement agencies for a $50 fee per occurrence.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The average bookings are between 150 and 200 annually.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Persons who are arrested and booked are transported to the Mendocino County Jail, usually within two hours; if not booked, they are cited and released.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The MCDAO subpoenas multiple officers to testify. Officers must travel to Ukiah and are required to allot a minimum of four hours, leaving the FBPD short staffed.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
It was reported that habitual offenders are often not charged by the MCDAO.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The FBPD has an evidence room that may also serve as storage for the defendant’s personal property or lost and found property.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The evidence room lacks a blood drying cabinet.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
the Fort Bragg Police Department use asset forfeiture funds to purchase a blood drying cabinet. (Finding 14)
F15
Evidence should be released by the MCDAO, when a case is dismissed or adjudicated. A court order is required to release weapons, drugs, or any evidence obtained with a search warrant.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
the Mendocino County District Attorney notify all evidence rooms of case disposition immediately upon resolution. (Finding 15)
F16
The Information Technology Department created a software program to list dismissed and adjudicated cases using data from the MCDAO records.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Since the software report has become available, the evidence room is able to purge unneeded evidence and clear the backlog.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The District Attorney has not adopted the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Release Memo.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt and use the Mendocino County District Attorney Disposition-Evidence Release Memo. (Finding 18)
F19
Officers are encouraged to be involved in community service activities. Some recent events include the Scout-O-Rama, Safe Communities Day, Lion’s Carnival, Safety Day, and the Police Activity League Bicycle Rodeo.
No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 6

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 2

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Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Mendocino County District Attorney Elected County Office