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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.
Madera County Grand Jury
• 2021-2022
1920-05 City of Madera Police Department; Unveiling Truths of Law Enforcement
⚠️ 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 4 findings
F1
Page 78
The MCGJ finds that current staffing levels, determined by permit fee income, leave inspection requirement goals unattainable.
F2
Page 78
The MCGJ finds that the lack of available vehicles hinders timely inspections.
F3
Page 78
The MCGJ finds that the FSP does not assign “risk” categories for establishments with repeated infractions.
F4
Page 78
The MCGJ finds that the online food inspection program scheduled for January 2020 has not been implemented.
Recommendations 4
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R1Page 78The MCGJ recommends that,beginning fiscal year 21-22,the EHD study the fee structure and elements of inspection (# Inspections*Inspection and Travel time + fee =Budgetary Allotment). The calculation will provide the number of staff and time required to complete all inspections. Further, if funding is inadequate, request funding from the general fund or raise fees to complete all required FSP inspections on a timely basis. 68
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R2Page 79The MCGJ recommends that, beginning fiscal year 21-22,the EHD work within the department to set up a schedule for vehicle usage assignments.
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R3Page 79The MCGJ recommends that, beginning fiscal year 21-22,EHD assign risk categories to establishments with inspection failures and impose fines.
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R4Page 79The MCGJ recommends that, beginning fiscal year 21-22, EHD post online food inspection report results onthe EHD website. 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 1920-05 City of Madera Police Department Unveiling Truths of Local Law Enforcement SUMMARY: The City of Madera Police Department (MPD) is facing challenges in a community that is growing economically and in racial diversity. The law enforcement officer’s job is both physically and mentally challenging. In an instant, officers can be thrown into extremely stressful situations. The City of Madera Police Department is staffed by a pool of young, motivated officers and an experienced command structure. High-risk encounters coupled with a focus on community relationships in the efforts to serve and protect the City of Madera residents. How these officers cope with work related stress and maintain compassion as positive role models is what guided the MCGJ focus. BACKGROUND: When the Madera County Grand Jury (MCGJ) started considering what areas within public safety to investigate, it was decided to reviewthe City of Madera Police Department (MPD) therewere several reasons for this choice,including police stress reduction programs, police in community outreach programs, crime statistics, police department staffing, and procedural deficiencies. The City of Madera Police Department is made up of 70 sworn officers (able to carry a firearm on duty) and 35 non-sworn employees. The department is organized into 3 divisions: Administration: Community outreach, including. (97Neighborhood Watch programs), dispatch, and non-sworn personnel. Operations: The largest division of the department comprised of patrol personnel. Investigations: Detective Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and Code Enforcement. Code Enforcement and Animal Control are part of the police department. The police department also has two K9 (canine) officer. One K9 is trained as a drug sniffing/identifying dog and the other one is a multi-purpose bite/attack dog. The K9 officers are issued bullet proof vests. Summertime temperatures make prolonged wearing of vests problematic for K9 officers. The cost for each K9 officers to be service ready is $10,000 with an additional $10,000 for training. This one-time cost does not include the costs for veterinary care and food for these canine officers which can vary with each K9 officer. The K9 officers work vehicles are unique and specifically designed for K9 officers and their human partner.