Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2008-2009

Excellence Personified Ukiah Police Chief And His Finest Are To Be Commended May 18, 2009

Published: May 18, 2009 4 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 21 findings

F1
The Ukiah Police Chief is also in charge of the Ukiah Fire Department as Director of Public Safety.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
There are three captains, five sergeants, sixteen officers, seven dispatchers, two records clerks, one mechanic, one school resource officer (SRO) and two parking enforcement officers. There are currently no training sergeants.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
All officers, including the SRO, are assigned their own patrol vehicles.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The current SRO has not received special training for his position.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
any officer assigned to SRO duties be trained prior to assuming these duties. (Finding 4)
F5
The SRO has an office at Ukiah High School (UHS) and also goes to other schools to teach younger children about prevention of alcohol and other drug use, gangs and vandalism.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Marijuana and alcohol abuse are the biggest problems in and around the school this year. The SRO and school representatives perform locker and backpack checks on a random basis and whenever there is probable cause.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Student affiliation with rival gangs is a significant concern at UHS.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Due to construction, the SRO is not able to use his designated parking space in front of the school. This will be corrected when the construction is complete.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
the SRO have a highly visible designated parking space at UHS. (Finding 8)
F9
Dispatchers are given one month training at an academy and then work with an experienced dispatcher for three months.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
If a non-English speaker calls 911, they are immediately transferred to a communications center where a language specialist transfers them to the correct interpreter.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The UPD currently has no service dogs. The UPD and Sheriff’s office have received a total of $100,000 from Homeland Security funds to purchase two dogs, special cars, equipment and training for the officers and the dogs. The officers and their dogs will attend two months of specialized training. Each dog will cost between $8,000 and $10,000. An officer has to make a commitment of three to five years to work in this position.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
the UPD and the City of Ukiah should pursue additional funding to secure a second dog trained for drug detection. (Findings 11-12)
F12
One dog will be assigned to the UPD and trained for bomb detection, the other will be assigned to the Sheriff’s office for drug detection. Both will be trained to protect the officers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
the UPD and the City of Ukiah should pursue additional funding to secure a second dog trained for drug detection. (Findings 11-12)
F13
There is an active bicycle law enforcement and safety awareness program. UPD issued 295 warnings and two citations during the past year. Violator’s names are taken and logged. The warnings were for bicycle safety and failure to wear helmets.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
the UPD increase its emphasis on issuing citations and fines for serious bicycle violations. (Finding 13)
F14
There are two parking officers and one parking enforcement vehicle. Although parking meters have been removed, the officers enforce posted time restrictions. City officials have delayed decisions on downtown parking to study what should be done.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The UPD sponsors an Explorers program to introduce young adults, ages 18-20, to law enforcement professions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
the Explorer program be continued. (Finding 15)
F16
State funding for forensics and bookings is scheduled to end this year. UPD is seeking alternative funding sources.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
a continued search for funding for the forensics and bookings programs be given a high priority. (Finding 16)
F17
The Grand Jury found significant upgrades to the evidence room. In particular, the security and cataloging of evidence is now state-of-the-art.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
Project Sanctuary workers are involved in all domestic violence calls. This is a new collaborative effort between the Chief and Project Sanctuary.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The UPD annual report that had been discontinued is being produced again and distributed to the community. Copies are available at the UPD.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
There are four openings for sworn officers.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
The Chief stated it is difficult to find qualified applicants that are likely to stay in the community after training because the pay is higher in other cities. For that reason, he is trying to recruit locally.
No recommendations for this finding