The 2024-2025 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury Invites the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police

While handcuffing is discretionary, Watsonville Department police officers tend to overuse handcuffing, even when a person is released at the scene. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): It is nearly impossible to agree with this finding without having the opportunity to review the data used to formulate the finding. Every situation and interaction with community members is unique and can produce many different circumstances and outcomes. Some of these circumstances include officers' past experience with an individual(s), type of violation, repeated violations with a likelihood for the behavior to continue, information provided while responding to a call, and many others. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025

The WPD handcuffs and transports a much higher percentage of misdemeanor violators to department headquarters than other law enforcement agencies within the County. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Again, it is difficult to agree with a finding such as this without having the opportunity to review the documents used to formulate the finding. There are many factors and circumstances that have an impact on whether or not an individual is handcuffed and transported to the police department. The report calls out DUI as one of the opportunities for the Watsonville Police Department to complete the investigation in the field, eliminating the need to transport individuals back to the department. When formulating the percentage noted in this finding and comparing that to other departments, such as the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation did not note that the Sheriff’s Office turns over its DUI investigations to the California Highway Patrol, thus significantly lowering their percentage of individuals transported, since CHP is completing the investigation. This would mean that a general comparison to that agency in the county would not be as accurate or as straightforward a comparison as asserted. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025

All local law enforcement agencies handcuff individuals transported to police departments, hospitals, sobering centers, or the County jail. __ AGREE _X_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): While it is common practice to transport arrestees in a handcuffed position, officers also commonly transport other individuals, such as witnesses, victims, and other non- criminal offenders, without the use of handcuffs. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025

In Watsonville, second or third breath testing is done at the Police Department, requiring handcuffing for transport. If more breath testing were done in the field, fewer people would be transported to the WPD. __ AGREE _X_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): This investigation failed to take an in-depth look at DUI processes, procedures, and prosecution. There is a distinct difference between alcohol “screening” and “evidentiary” tests. While utilizing a breathalyzer device in the field is a useful screening tool, it does not qualify as an evidentiary test that can be utilized for prosecution. A breathalyzer screening device is a common tool utilized by this department and holds as much value as any of the other field sobriety tests used in the field. Once a DUI arrest is made, the officer is required to wait 15 minutes prior to administering an evidentiary breath test to determine blood alcohol content. This evidentiary test system allows all data to be stored and transferred securely to the Department of Justice through a statewide, secure computer network. These specific breath tests are utilized in court for prosecution. If an individual who is arrested for DUI refuses to voluntarily submit to breath testing, then that individual is automatically transported to the hospital for blood testing. Furthermore, DUI investigations are typically time-consuming. Even after field testing and evidentiary testing, there is additional documentation needed to complete the DUI reporting that other arrests do not require. By attempting to do all of this in the field, it would increase the amount of time an individual is detained in view of the public eye, which could also cause more stress and embarrassment to the arrestee. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025

De-escalation training reduces the use of force, including handcuffing. __ AGREE _X_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): While de-escalation training equips officers with more tools that can be utilized when determining how to respond to a call for service or during an interaction with a community member, there is no guarantee that it will reduce or eliminate the need to use force, including handcuffing. There are many variables and factors that impact the outcomes of these interactions. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025

The WPD has a lower retention rate of officers with more than five years of experience. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Again, it is difficult to agree with a finding such as this without having the opportunity to review the data used to formulate the finding. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025

Officers with more years of service in the department have better relationships with the community and more experience in de-escalation, leading to fewer negative interactions. __ AGREE _X_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Experience, as with any field, undoubtedly helps officers become more comfortable with their roles as officers, become more informed of the many solutions that can be utilized when responding to a call for service, and become more versed in the variety of resources that exist in the community. While experience is critical, it isn’t the only thing that matters. Hiring officers from within the community or neighboring communities also helps in terms of building strong relationships with our community. Oftentimes, the department hires officers who meet this criteria. Many of these officers already arrive at the department with established relationships within the community, a deeper investment in the community, and a strong sense of passion and commitment to help produce positive outcomes throughout the community. Attachment 1 Invited Response from the Watsonville Police Department Chief of Police Handcuffing and Transport Due by August 18, 2025