Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
• Agency Response
Response to:
The #$@*!! Roof Still Leaks: A Report on the City of Willits Police Department and Holding Cells
2008 Mendocino Grand Jury Report City of Willits Consolidated Responses Report Title: “the #$@*!! Roof Still Leaks: a
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 29 findings
F1
The annual budget for the WPD provides for one Chief, three Sergeants, 10 Officers and five Dispatchers. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The annual budget for the WPD provides for one Chief, three Sergeants, 10 Officers and five Dispatchers. Agree
F2
At the time of the visit, the actual staff consisted of one Chief, who is bilingual; three Sergeants and one acting Sergeant; six Officers, one of whom was on sick leave and another who was out on worker’s compensation; four Dispatchers and one Trainee Dispatcher. In addition, there is one part-time Officer in charge of prisoner transport, who also acts as an investigator; and one Reserve Officer, who assists at special events. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
At the time of the visit, the actual staff consisted of one Chief, who is bilingual; three Sergeants and one acting Sergeant; six Officers, one of whom was on sick leave and another who was out on worker’s compensation; four Dispatchers and one Trainee Dispatcher. In addition, there is one part-time Officer in charge of prisoner transport, who also acts as an investigator; and one Reserve Officer, who assists at special events. Agree
F3
Staff shortages are covered by the use of overtime and supervisors are required to perform field duties. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Staff shortages are covered by the use of overtime and supervisors are required to perform field duties. Agree
F4
WPD cannot contribute an officer to the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force due to staff shortages. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
WPD cannot contribute an officer to the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force due to staff shortages. Agree
F5
Officers work a 12-hour shift. Replacing an Officer on an eight hour shift is easier, as one Officer can stay four hours longer and another Officer can come in four hours earlier. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Officers work a 12-hour shift. Replacing an Officer on an eight hour shift is easier, as one Officer can stay four hours longer and another Officer can come in four hours earlier. Agree
F6
Recruiting applicants is difficult: about 30% of applicants fail the background check. There is a shortage of affordable housing in Willits, and the City is remote. On the plus side, employee benefits are excellent and the pay rate is competitive with nearby law enforcement agencies. The pay is not competitive with Santa Rosa or the Bay Area. Various agencies are contacted to locate potential recruits. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Recruiting applicants is difficult: about 30% of applicants fail the background check. There is a shortage of affordable housing in Willits, and the City is remote. On the plus side, employee benefits are excellent and the pay rate is competitive with nearby law enforcement agencies. The pay is not competitive with Santa Rosa or the Bay Area. Various agencies are contacted to locate potential recruits. Agree
F7
Training for new officers includes ride-alongs. The length of training time can vary with seasonal community activities. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Training for new officers includes ride-alongs. The length of training time can vary with seasonal community activities. Agree
F8
All Officers have Peace Officer Standards and Training certification (POST). Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
All Officers have Peace Officer Standards and Training certification (POST). Agree
F9
The current budget contains funds for officer training. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The current budget contains funds for officer training. Agree
F10
Some Officers are trained in the use of tasers, a non-lethal weapon available to WPD Officers. Tasers are an effective psychological deterrent; it is seldom necessary to actually use them; usually when an individual sees the taser, they become compliant. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Some Officers are trained in the use of tasers, a non-lethal weapon available to WPD Officers. Tasers are an effective psychological deterrent; it is seldom necessary to actually use them; usually when an individual sees the taser, they become compliant. Agree
F11
Gangs are not a major problem at this time; but they are a concern. There has been some tagging (graffiti) but little violence. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Gangs are not a major problem at this time; but they are a concern. There has been some tagging (graffiti) but little violence. Agree
F12
The Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP) program is presently offered to fifth graders. The program is a collaborative effort of the schools, police departments, Alcohol and Other Drug Programs (AODP), the Nuestra Allianza of Willits, and other after-school programs. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
The Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP) program is presently offered to fifth graders. The program is a collaborative effort of the schools, police departments, Alcohol and Other Drug Programs (AODP), the Nuestra Allianza of Willits, and other after-school programs. Agree
F13
The City has revised its ordinance to regulate the outdoor cultivation of marijuana. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
The City has revised its ordinance to regulate the outdoor cultivation of marijuana. Agree
F14
Occasionally there are homeless encampments on the North Coast Railroad Authority property. The encampments are removed when requested by the property owner. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
Occasionally there are homeless encampments on the North Coast Railroad Authority property. The encampments are removed when requested by the property owner. Agree
F15
There are more homeless transients during the summer months. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
There are more homeless transients during the summer months. Agree
F16
The closing, in 2000, of the Psychiatric Holding Facility (PHF) in Ukiah has hampered the WPD. Now, if an officer detains an individual, under §5150, who poses a danger to him or herself or to others, but who has not been accused of a crime, the only facility available is Howard Hospital which has no mental health worker on site.The Officer must wait for a crisis worker from the County Mental Health Branch. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R16
The closing, in 2000, of the Psychiatric Holding Facility (PHF) in Ukiah has hampered the WPD. Now, if an officer detains an individual, under §5150, who poses a danger to him or herself or to others, but who has not been accused of a crime, the only facility available is Howard Hospital which has no mental health worker on site.The Officer must wait for a crisis worker from the County Mental Health Branch. Agree
F17
Mendocino County Mental Health Department operates a satellite clinic in Willits staffed with a mental health crisis worker, who is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. If the Willits clinic is closed, a crisis worker has to be sent from Ukiah to assess the patient. The WPD tries to stay and watch the person at the hospital, but, if they are called out, the patient may well leave the hospital. The patient can only be detained for 23 hours. After that, the patient must be released or transferred outside the County because the County has no appropriate facilities. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R17
Mendocino County Mental Health Department operates a satellite clinic in Willits staffed with a mental health crisis worker, who is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. If the Willits clinic is closed, a crisis worker has to be sent from Ukiah to assess the patient. The WPD tries to stay and watch the person at the hospital, but, if they are called out, the patient may well leave the hospital. The patient can only be detained for 23 hours. After that, the patient must be released or transferred outside the County because the County has no appropriate facilities. Agree
F18
An individual detained under a “5150” who is accused of a crime is transported to the Mendocino County Jail, where there is a mental health worker. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R18
An individual detained under a “5150” who is accused of a crime is transported to the Mendocino County Jail, where there is a mental health worker. Agree
F19
The officer in charge of the evidence room was working the night shift and was unavailable for interview or to provide access. The WPD has a bar coding system for identifying the stored items. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R19
The officer in charge of the evidence room was working the night shift and was unavailable for interview or to provide access. The WPD has a bar coding system for identifying the stored items. Agree
F20
A Homeland Security grant was used to purchase a new electronic fingerprinting machine, which is used for those who are cited and released. The machine is connected to the County’s secure internet connection. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R20
A Homeland Security grant was used to purchase a new electronic fingerprinting machine, which is used for those who are cited and released. The machine is connected to the County’s secure internet connection. Agree
F21
WPD has limited access to the County’s JALAN criminal justice records system. This system will produce limited statistics. If more extensive statistics are desired, a request must be submitted to County Information Technology for custom programming. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R21
WPD has limited access to the County’s JALAN criminal justice records system. This system will produce limited statistics. If more extensive statistics are desired, a request must be submitted to County Information Technology for custom programming. Agree
F22
WPD does not routinely participate in the Sheriff’s teleconferencing muster at 7:00 a.m. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R22
WPD does not routinely participate in the Sheriff’s teleconferencing muster at 7:00 a.m. Agree
F23
A visual examination of the three holding cells showed that they were clean and sanitary. Holding cells, if occupied, are under constant visual observation. The holding cells are shared by the Sheriff and WPD pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding regarding use and maintenance. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R23
A visual examination of the three holding cells showed that they were clean and sanitary. Holding cells, if occupied, are under constant visual observation. The holding cells are shared by the Sheriff and WPD pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding regarding use and maintenance. Agree
F24
Staff shortages require that prisoners be transported promptly. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R24
Staff shortages require that prisoners be transported promptly. Agree
F25
The sally port is fully operative. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R25
The sally port is fully operative. Agree
F26
Some cell phone 911 calls are forwarded to the WPD by the California Highway Patrol; others go directly to WPD. Landline 911 calls from Willits go directly to the WPD. The 911 system is being updated. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R26
Some cell phone 911 calls are forwarded to the WPD by the California Highway Patrol; others go directly to WPD. Landline 911 calls from Willits go directly to the WPD. The 911 system is being updated. Agree
F27
WPD dispatches for the Little Lake Fire District. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R27
WPD dispatches for the Little Lake Fire District. Agree
F28
There is no sign near the street to direct people to the County owned building which is occupied by WPD, the Superior Court and the Sheriff’s substation. There is no sign at the corner of Main Street and Commercial Street directing people to the WPD, the Little Lake Fire Department, or the County complex on Commercial Street. Partially Disagree. However there is a metal Willits Police Sign hung at the Entrance to the parking lot with a red arrow pointing towards the building.
Related Recommendations (1)
R28
There is no sign near the street to direct people to the County owned building which is occupied by WPD, the Superior Court and the Sheriff’s substation. There is no sign at the corner of Main Street and Commercial Street directing people to the WPD, the Little Lake Fire Department, or the County complex on Commercial Street. Partially Disagree. However there is a metal Willits Police Sign hung at the Entrance to the parking lot with a red arrow pointing towards the building.
F29
Since this County-owned building was constructed in 1988, the roof has leaked into the WPD downstairs offices. It is still necessary to cover the office equipment with plastic tarps when it rains. Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R29
Since this County-owned building was constructed in 1988, the roof has leaked into the WPD downstairs offices. It is still necessary to cover the office equipment with plastic tarps when it rains. Agree Recommendations The Grand Jury recommends that: