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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.

Monterey County Grand Jury • 2013-2014

2. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be

Published: July 11, 2014 6 pages
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Findings 14 findings

F1
there is not a sufficient number of sworn officers and full-time civilian employees to fully staff the department and adequately meet the needs of the community. The SPD Headquarters was built in 1958 and it has out-lived its' design capabilities and is
F2
in dire need of replacement. The structure has severe problems with mold, and mildew caused by water leaks from the roof, which no amount of repair can remedy. Many areas of the structure have a distinct musty odor, as well as mildew and mold. Sump pumps installed in the basement areas are insufficient to remedy the situation. The CGJ observed a 30 gallon plastic bag taped to the wall of an area to funnel the leakage of water from the roof into a plastic 30 gallon bucket. When it rains, this bucket must be emptied frequently. It is estimated that 30 gallons of water weighs 250.5 lbs. or 113.55 kg. Simply lifting the bucket and taking the water out to be disposed of could cause physical injury to an employee. The physical structure itself was not designed even for the current number of 139 sworn
F3
officers and 47 civilian employees. The facility does not have sufficient locker space to 16 store the officers' equipment and uniforms, etc. while off duty, and therefore, some equipment is stored in hallways. The ratio of all sworn officers to residents in Salinas as of the 2010 Census is 1 to 1,111.
F4
The ratio of officers on duty is 1 officer to 11,034 residents. The number of sworn officers in relationship to the population is insufficient to meet the needs of Salinas. The ratio of officers in Salinas to residents is currently the lowest when compared to other
F5
cities in Monterey County with the highest of 1 officer to 276 residents (in Carmel) the next lowest is 1 officer to 945 residents in Seaside. The SPD headquarters' physical structure is not designed to hold and maintain evidence,
F6
records, and forms in a central location and therefore, these materials are stored throughout the building wherever space available. At times this makes tracking evidence difficult. As difficult as it may be the SPD continues to do a great job keeping written records and evidence at various locations throughout the facility and in various secure locations around the city. Often documents and evidence must be stored and maintained for a number of years making it even more difficult to find adequate storage for new case material. The SPD houses a small arms and shotgun range in the basement of the facility. This range
F7
is inadequate to provide an environment for officers to train with long range and heavy weapons used by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Division. The only convenient facility where SPD SWAT officers may train with their assigned weapons is in San Benito County. Due to the changes in modern warfare environments from battle grounds in open territory
F8
to a house to house battle environment the US Army began developing Urban Tactical Training facilities or Military Operations Urban Terrain (MOUT) facilities. One of these training facilities was developed and constructed by the 7th Infantry Division in the late 1970s or early 1980s. This facility is located on what is now the former Fort Ord, California. The Army used this "mock city" sometimes referred to as the Impossible City to train personnel in Urban Warfare Tactics to be employed in Kuwait City during the 1st Gulf War. Lessons learned from that war were employed in Afghanistan and Iraqi cities such as Bagdad during the 2nd Gulf War. The Former Fort Ord MOUT is in the process of being transferred from the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) to Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) for use by MPC's Police Academy.
F9
The most convenient and cost effective resolution to the lack of an adequate facility to train SWAT Officers, would be for the SPD to enter into an agreement with MPC for the use of 17 the "Impossible City". The use of this facility would allow SWAT to train in an environment where they could practice home extraction techniques.
F10
MPC in support of their Police Academy training program intends to add a long rifle and heavy weapons range to the Impossible City facility. The addition of this range would provide a fully functional environment for both MPC Police Academy and SPD SWAT training.
F11
It is expensive to live in Monterey County, the high cost of living here makes it difficult to recruit, train and retain Officers. As in many other agencies in Monterey County, personnel are recruited and once fully qualified they move to other locations where the pay is higher and the cost of living is lower than in Monterey County.
F12
To enhance CSA 75 revenue, soil removed from the treatment ponds when dredged, could be sanitized and sold for use as commercial fertilizer.
F13
The deterioration of the Chualar sewage system has a high potential to cause major problems including possible health issues. The system should be replaced as soon as possible. 24
F14
Through interviews with the Monterey County Public Works Department and its own research the CGJ has determined that, if built today, the cost to build a sewage treatment plant at or near Chualar would be about four million dollars.

Recommendations 5