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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ 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 5 findings
F1
Page 53
Lack of Service The Southern Trinity area and its citizens are not being served: there is, in effect, no law enforcement in the Southern Trinity area.
F2
Page 53
Deputy Positions In 1993 the Sheriff’s Department had seven deputy po- sitions funded (down from a high of 21 in 1990/91). Consequently the Resident Deputy in Southern Trinity relocated to Weaverville for duty there. Twelve posi- tions are currently funded, and the Sheriff estimates a full cadre would comprise fourteen county-funded posi- tions. Additional positions are funded out of special (es- pecially federal) projects.
F3
Page 53
Recruiting The Sheriff reports ongoing difficulties recruiting and retaining quality deputies because of the County’s non- competitive pay rates. New recruits are typically young males fresh out of academy who complete their field training with the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department. When they complete their training, in about a year’s time, they look to move out and up to better paying positions with other counties. Recruits of this type have no interest in becoming Resi- dent Deputy for Southern Trinity and therefore do not seek to move there. Older, more experienced officers could find life and duty in Southern Trinity attractive, but the huge cut in pay they would have to take is distinctly unattractive.
F4
Page 54
Coordination The Ruth Lake CSD expressed dissatisfaction that let- ters to the Sheriff were unanswered and meetings with the Sheriff were unproductive. They hadn’t seen any progress towards meeting their needs. Meetings in the spring of 1999, however, have resulted in a coordinated plan for law enforcement at Ruth Lake over the Memorial Day weekend, a major local con- cern. Ruth Lake CSD feels it can also contribute to the re- cruiting effort — for example, they say they can pro- vide a free mobile home pad with hookups — and they wish to participate in the search. The Personnel Department has primary responsibility for describing available positions, advertising them and receiving responses from applicants. The Southern Trin- ity Resident Deputy position, however, is unique and requires a special effort. The Sheriff is clearly an interested party, and so is the Supervisor for the district. There may be others not mentioned here.
F5
Page 54
Reserve Deputies The reserve Deputy corps is moribund, in part because the State of California has increased training require- ments and thereby increased the number of hurdles vol- unteers must clear before they can take places on the law enforcement team. All the same, we do have a small number of enthusiastic volunteers completing the train- ing requirements and filling useful roles with the Sheriff’s Department. The reserve Deputy corps seems to be an under-utilized resource, and there is some evidence suggesting that reserve Deputies are not always welcomed and encour- aged by the Sheriff’s Department.
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 53To carry out its mandate the County needs to provide law enforcement services to the Southern Trinity area without delay. The Grand Jury recommends as an ideal solution a resi- dent Deputy in the area plus two level one reserve Depu- ties who can provide quicker backup than Hayfork can. A resident Deputy who can be visibly on patrol during daytime hours and available at all times is necessary, but unless backup is available more quickly than Hayfork can provide it, such a solitary law enforcement pres- ence will not always be sufficient. Until a resident Deputy can be found for Southern Trin- ity, a reserve Deputy level one might be a solution to the problem. The Grand Jury recommends, as an absolute minimum law enforcement service to southern Trinity, a daily pa- trol out of Hayfork. Starting April 1, 1999, the Sheriff’s Department has re- sumed daily patrol, out of Hayfork, in the South County area: they are to be commended for their appropriate response.
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R2Page 53The County needs to fund the full fourteen deputy posi- tions.
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R3Page 54To improve its chances of recruiting and retaining qual- ity deputies the County needs to offer more competitive pay rates. Additionally the county may need to fund a special bonus for a qualified officer who accepts the Southern Trinity Resident Deputy position. Separately, the Personnel Department should concen- trate on finding a more experienced officer, with family, to relocate to Southern Trinity.
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R4Page 54The Grand Jury recommends that a special team be assembled for the purpose of defining unmet law en- forcement needs for the Southern Trinity area, devising a plan to meet those needs and implementing it. The 1998-99 Grand Jury recommends that the 1999- 2000 Grand Jury return to this issue next year and monitor progress towards a solution that satisfies everyone in- volved.
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R5Page 54Creative and energetic recruitment is required. High School seniors and other career seekers can benefit from information on jobs in law enforcement, including the part-time position of reserve Deputy. Educational op- portunities can be increased, financial assistance can be found. Enthusiastic volunteers can boost morale in an organization like the Sheriff’s Department. They can also be very effective good will ambassadors for an or- ganization like the Sheriff’s Department. The 1998-99 Grand Jury recommends that the 1999- 2000 Grand Jury return to this question for a progress report. CONCLUSION: This situation was allowed to drift perilously close to a serious incident, but steps are being taken and responses are taking effect. Trinity County citizens can continue to expect what they deserve: timely, targeted and effec- tive action to protect their lives, property and fortunes. DAY RESPONSES REQUESTED FROM: Ruth Lake CSD, Sheriff, Personnel Department, CAO, Board of Supervisors. Response of Ruth Lake Community Services District June 10, 1999 Trinity County Board of Supervisors PO Drawer 1613 Weaverville Ca. 96093 re: 1998-1999 Grand Jury Judicial Committee Final Re- port - Southern Trinity Law Enforcement Gentlemen: The Board of Directors of the Ruth Lake Community Services District offer the following comments in re- sponse to the report of the Grand Jury: General: The Sheriffs Department is to be commended for their planning, communication and service provided over the 1999 Memorial Day weekend. The Sheriff and his team attended several of our Board Meetings, re- mained in contact with the District and presented a co- ordinated plan which addressed our concerns. Law en- forcement was visible for the entire weekend with the result that there were no major incidents, and a good time was had by all visitors and local residents. It was one the most peaceful holiday weekends in memory. We sincerely hope this kind of cooperation can con- tinue. Recommendation # 1: The Sheriff has commenced a five day a week (Thursday through Monday) patrol out of the Hayfork office. This has been noticed and appre- ciated by the community members we have been in contact with. Hopefully, this will remain a priority and not continue to be the first to be sacrificed for vacations and other needs.