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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.
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
2018-19 Consolidated Final Report with Responses 127 Santa Cruz County Probation Officers Inadequately Equipped and At
⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
Page 138
Deputy Probation Officers’ (DPOs’) lack of safety equipment impedes their ability to do their assigned field visits without jeopardizing their own safety.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 138
The Department should provide Deputy Probation Officers (DPOs) with standardized safety gear (individually fitted vests, functioning radios, tasers, OC spray, identifiable clothing, and Narcan™) for their field visits. (F1)
F2
Page 138
The Department collects and stores, but does not track serious incident reports involving DPOs with offenders.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 138
The Department should commission a needs assessment by an independent consultant to ascertain the potential harm to unarmed officers doing field work with high-risk offenders, with a focus on developing an armed unit. (F2, F5)
F3
Page 138
The Department meets the minimum state requirements for annual DPO training, but does not provide sufficient safety training for DPOs in the field.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 138
The Department should provide all DPOs with mandatory initial and ongoing field safety training in collaboration with the Safety Committee. (F3)
F4
Page 138
Law enforcement is not always available to accompany DPOs in high-risk situations, resulting in fewer contact visits by DPOs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 138
The Department should coordinate with local law enforcement to develop policies and procedures for law enforcement officers to accompany DPOs during field visits. (F4)
F5
Page 138
The failure of the Department to include an armed unit supporting DPOs increases safety risks to DPOs in the field.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 138
The Department should commission a needs assessment by an independent consultant to ascertain the potential harm to unarmed officers doing field work with high-risk offenders, with a focus on developing an armed unit. (F2, F5)