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Extraído del Informe Consolidado

Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Handcuffing and Transport

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Findings and Recommendations 9 findings

F1 Page 78
​ While handcuffing is discretionary, Watsonville Department police officers tend to overuse handcuffing, even when a person is released at the scene.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
Page 79
​ The Watsonville Police Department should update training materials and provide training around handcuffing discretion so that more individuals are released on the scene without being handcuffed. This should be completed by December 31, 2025. (F1)
R8
Page 63
​ Santa Cruz County BoS should direct the Building Department and any other relevant departments to review the State code parameters that allow county adjustments for building permit fees and find the least-cost, least-delay alternative. Anything that can be free should be free. This recommendation should be accomplished by Jan 1, 2026. (F1, F2, F3)
F2 Page 78
​ The WPD handcuffs and transports a much higher percentage of misdemeanor violators to department headquarters than other law enforcement agencies within the County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 79
​ The Watsonville Police Department should update training materials and provide additional training about cite and release, so that more individuals are released in the field, and thereby reducing the number of people transported to Watsonville Police Headquarters. This should be completed by June 30, 2026. (F2, F3)
R8
Page 63
​ Santa Cruz County BoS should direct the Building Department and any other relevant departments to review the State code parameters that allow county adjustments for building permit fees and find the least-cost, least-delay alternative. Anything that can be free should be free. This recommendation should be accomplished by Jan 1, 2026. (F1, F2, F3)
F3 Page 78
​ All local law enforcement agencies handcuff individuals transported to police departments, hospitals, sobering centers, or the County jail.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 79
​ The Watsonville Police Department should update training materials and provide additional training about cite and release, so that more individuals are released in the field, and thereby reducing the number of people transported to Watsonville Police Headquarters. This should be completed by June 30, 2026. (F2, F3)
R8
Page 63
​ Santa Cruz County BoS should direct the Building Department and any other relevant departments to review the State code parameters that allow county adjustments for building permit fees and find the least-cost, least-delay alternative. Anything that can be free should be free. This recommendation should be accomplished by Jan 1, 2026. (F1, F2, F3)
F4 Page 78
​ 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.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 79
​ The Watsonville Police Department should install in every patrol car a certified breath testing apparatus so that multiple breath tests are completed in the field and fewer DUI misdemeanors are transported to WPD. This should be completed by December 31, 2025. (F4)
F5 Page 78
​ De-escalation training reduces the use of force, including handcuffing.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 79
​ While the WPD does include de-escalation training in some courses, the Watsonville Police Department should require all officers to take the Police Officer Standards and Training De-escalation Training by June 30, 2026. (F5, F9)
F6 Page 78
​ Instead of “Protect and Serve”, Watsonville Police say their motto is now "Protect the Vulnerable From Harm." The WPD also says “everybody is treated with dignity and respect,” and they treat everyone “like they're your own family member.”
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 78
​ The WPD has a lower retention rate of officers with more than five years of experience.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 79
​ The Watsonville City Council should add incentives and raise officer total compensation for those with experience of zero to 15 years by 10% to 30% to reduce attrition, especially in regards to those officers with more than five years of experience. This should be completed by June 30, 2027. (F7, F8, F9)
F8 Page 78
​ The WPD salaries are at least 17% lower than the San Jose Police Department salaries.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 79
​ The Watsonville City Council should add incentives and raise officer total compensation for those with experience of zero to 15 years by 10% to 30% to reduce attrition, especially in regards to those officers with more than five years of experience. This should be completed by June 30, 2027. (F7, F8, F9)
F9 Page 78
​ 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. Handcuffing and Transport ​ published June 18, 2025​ 72 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
Page 79
​ While the WPD does include de-escalation training in some courses, the Watsonville Police Department should require all officers to take the Police Officer Standards and Training De-escalation Training by June 30, 2026. (F5, F9)
R5
Page 79
​ The Watsonville City Council should add incentives and raise officer total compensation for those with experience of zero to 15 years by 10% to 30% to reduce attrition, especially in regards to those officers with more than five years of experience. This should be completed by June 30, 2027. (F7, F8, F9)
R6
Page 79
​ The Watsonville Police Department should institute quarterly meetings with community groups to strengthen relationships with the community. These meetings should begin by October 1, 2025. (F9)