Rape Kit Processing in Monterey County*

LEAs in Monterey County lacked awareness and provided unclear and inconsistent information as to whether there are any backlogged Rape Kits. Response: The City of Salinas disagrees with this Finding insomuch as it concludes that the Salinas Police Department provided unclear and inconsistent information as to whether there are any backlogged Rape Kits. The Salinas Police Department provided requested data in response to the Grand Jury Survey, and the Chief of Police appeared before the Grand Jury to answer questions. The Salinas Police Department tracks and is aware of the status of sexual assault rape kits that have been collected in relation to investigations conducted by the Salinas Police Department. Honorable Lydia Villarreal Re: City of Salinas's Responses to Monterey County Civil Grand Jury

The lack of a centralized place to post information has resulted in a lack of consistency in the way that LEAs manage and track sexual assaults. Response: The Salinas Police Department participates in a regular meeting with other law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney's Office to coordinate sexual assault investigations. The Salinas Police Department is part of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) which works with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), during the investigation. Any DNA evidence obtained is submitted to the Rapid DNA Service (RADS). The Salinas Police Department also reports the status of sexual assault forensic evidence through the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Tracking (SAFE-T) though the California Department of Justice as is required by PC 680.4.

At the beginning of this investigation, not all the LEAs were prepared to report the Rape Kit status information to the CDOJ as required by PC 680.4. Response: The Salinas Police Department has reported the Rape Kit status information to the CDOJ as required by PC 680.4.

There is advanced training available for sexual assault investigators, but LEAs are instead relying upon senior investigators to provide "on the job training to other investigators within their respective departments." Response: The Salinas Police Department sends all Sexual Assault Detectives to a Sexual Assault Investigator Course when assigned to the Investigations Division. All Sexual Assault Detectives currently assigned to the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division have completed the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Police, Institute of Criminal Investigation (ICI) Sexual Assault Investigator Course.

Training for advanced skills in the forensics of sexual assault investigations is not prioritized in the budgeting process. Response: The City of Salinas and the Salinas Police Department ensure that there is funding for all detectives to attend sexual assault training. This is a priority. Honorable Lydia Villarreal Re: City of Salinas's Responses to Monterey County Civil Grand Jury

Some LEAs rely on cross-training less experienced patrol officers to supplement understaffed investigative teams rather than prioritizing the strategic increase of well-trained investigators. Response: The Salinas Police Department does not supplement its investigative team with less experienced patrol officers. Sexual Assault Investigators are carefully evaluated and vetted through a selection process, then provided specialized training as previously described.

All jurisdictions can expedite the investigations of rape crimes through access to the RADS processing to facilitate timely resolution of rape cases. Response: The Salinas Police Department has access to and utilizes the RADS processing system.

Most LEAs in Monterey County have implemented DNA testing protocols established by the CDOJ which have reduced the likelihood of unprocessed DNA evidence. Response: The Salinas Police Department has implemented DNA testing protocols that are in compliance with CDOJ.

There is no centralized authority coordinating all LEAs in Monterey County regarding collection, processing and reporting of sexual assaults. Response: The Salinas Police Department complies with all state mandates and employs contemporary best practices to investigate sexual assaults. The Salinas Police Department regularly attend meetings with other Monterey County Sexual Assault Investigators including the District Attorney to share information and coordinate any investigations that may be occurring in other jurisdictions.