Score: +38 (38/5/0)

Contra Costa County Grand Jury • 2006-2007

County Crime Lab: High Quality Test Results, Chronically Delayed Severe Understaffing Compromises County Lab’s

Published: March 15, 2007 8 pages

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⚠️ 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 23 findings

The Contra Costa County Forensics and Crime Laboratory is a division of the Office of the Sheriff.

No recommendations for this finding

The Lab has a total staff of 72, a combination of scientific, technical, support, and administrative personnel. The Lab staff is assigned to four functional areas: Drug, Alcohol & Toxicology Section, Criminalistics Section, Central Identification Services (fingerprinting), and Property & Evidence Services.

No recommendations for this finding

The Lab maintains accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB). The Lab is one of several county crime laboratories in the nation that has earned such recognition. ASCLD-LAB standards do not include a criterion for test turnaround timeliness.

No recommendations for this finding

The Lab provides forensic testing and consultation services (scientific analysis of crime scene physical evidence) to the Sheriff’s Office, as well as to local police agencies, the Solano County District Attorney, Vallejo, and recently Oakland, on a contracted, fee-for-service basis. Oakland’s services are limited to selected fingerprint testing.

No recommendations for this finding

The Lab is one of only four county crime labs in the state of California that charge contracting agencies fees for their services; Alameda, Santa Clara, and Sacramento are the other three.

No recommendations for this finding

Based on fiscal year 2005-2006 data, forensic testing and consultation fees charged by the Lab to contracting police agencies generated $1.8 million. That represented approximately 25% of the Lab’s $7.2 million total cost of providing the services. The percentage of the service cost covered by fees charged to police agencies ranges from a low of 19% for selected Criminalistic Section tests to a 3 high of 76% for selected tests completed by the Drug, Alcohol & Toxicology Section. Following are program cost and client fee recovery percentage details: Program Cost and Percent of Cost Recovery From Client Fees Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Program Total Cost Percent of Cost Recovery Criminalistics $2.79 million 19% Latents $320,000* 37% Livescan $120,000* 47%** Identification $533,000* 15%*** CAL-ID $1.45 million 47% Alcohol $607,000 76% Drugs $900,000 67% Toxicology $523,000 54% *Lab estimates **Non-police clients; e.g., job applicants ***Custody Alternative Program “client” and Martinez Detention Center detainee fingerprint screening Program Descriptions Criminalistics--Firearms, DNA, Trace Evidence, Crime Scene Investigation Latents—Fingerprint evidence from crime scenes Livescan—Electronic fingerprinting of job, license, and permit applications Identification—Identification of subjects booked at the Martinez Detention Center by the Office of the Sheriff CAL-ID—Identification of subjects booked at the Martinez Detention Center by local police departments; Crime scene fingerprint evidence from local police departments Alcohol—Blood and breath alcohol analysis Drugs—Solid dosage (sample) drug analysis Toxicology—Ante mortem (before death) and postmortem (after death) drug and body fluid analysis NOTE: The Lab generated additional revenue from other sources, such as fines, asset seizures and state-mandated fees. Together, revenues from other sources ($2.3 million), and fees charged to local police agencies ($1.8 million), offset approximately 57% ($4.1 million) of the Lab’s $7.2 million cost of providing forensic services.

Related Recommendations (1)

Once the Lab improves its overall test turnaround time performance levels, it should take the opportunity to increase its fees so that local police agency contract income, when combined with other sources of revenue, more closely approximates the cost of providing all forensic services.

The Lab’s published mission statement reads: “Provide a high level of timely (emphasis added), thorough, accurate, and objective evidence analysis, consultation, and crime scene processing services.” 4

No recommendations for this finding

The Lab’s Drug, Alcohol & Toxicology Section, located at Muir Road in Martinez, regularly reports testing turnaround times that do not vary widely from those of other crime labs around the state and across the country. This section’s reported turnaround times are accurate because they do not carry a significant backlog of test requests.

No recommendations for this finding

The Lab’s Criminalistics Section, located at Escobar Road in Martinez, also reports turnaround times that do not vary widely from those reported by other labs. However, in this case the information is inaccurate and misleading because this section consistently carries a significant backlog of test requests.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Lab should expand its turnaround time reports to include all backlog data to more accurately and completely report “aging” test requests.

F10

The Criminalistics Section reports the average length of time between receiving test requests and completion. The turnaround time calculations do not include any “backlogged” or “aging” test requests; i.e., cases where testing is either incomplete or has not yet begun.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Lab should expand its turnaround time reports to include all backlog data to more accurately and completely report “aging” test requests.

F11

Contracting police agencies routinely follow a procedure encouraged by the Criminalistics Section management to expedite cases of special interest. They call management directly to request special consideration of selected cases. Management responds as often as it can by directing criminalists to set aside other test requests in the work queue to complete the special requests.

No recommendations for this finding

F12

Local police agencies report a consistently high level of confidence in the quality of Lab test results. However, they also report long-standing dissatisfaction and frustration with testing turnaround times, especially those involving the Criminalistics Section. Local police agencies report they are using, or are considering using, alternative testing facilities such as the FBI or private labs on a selective basis.

No recommendations for this finding

F13

The Criminalistic Section’s Biology, Firearms and Trace backlog data reflects test requests dating back more than three years. Further, the Criminalistics Section reports an estimated 2500-3000 firearms that have not even been catalogued, and are yet to be added to the formal backlog count.

No recommendations for this finding

F14

The Lab’s Criminalistics Section is organized into four functional sub-units based on the types of services each provides; i.e., Biology (DNA, liquid blood, sexual assault, and miscellaneous biology screening), Firearms (identification and testing), Trace & Impressions (fabrics, paint, hair, and arson), and Crime Scene Investigation.

No recommendations for this finding

F15

The Criminalistics Section staff includes 11 approved criminalist positions for all three sub-units, as well as two crime scene investigators. However, one of the approved criminalist positions currently is unfunded due to budgetary constraints. In 1980, the Lab had the same number of approved criminalists as it does today. At that time, criminalists had a broader range of testing responsibilities, including 5 drug, alcohol and toxicology. In 1980, DNA testing procedures did not exist. Today, four of the 10 budgeted criminalists are assigned to DNA testing.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sheriff should seek approval to increase the number of authorized and budgeted criminalists in the Lab from the current 1980 level of 11, to between 20 and 24, to be assigned as required in the Criminalistic Section’s Biology, Firearms, and Trace & Impression sub-units.

F16

By comparison the city of San Diego police department’s crime lab has a complement of 26 criminalists, 13 of which are assigned to DNA testing. The city of San Diego’s population is similar in size to Contra Costa County.

No recommendations for this finding

F17

Since 1980, Contra Costa County’s population has increased from approximately 656,000 to more than 1.1 million.

Related Recommendations (1)

F18

The Lab makes use of a 40-year old functional model that requires criminalists to divide their time between performing laboratory-based scientific tests and conducting crime scene investigations. Statistics for 2005 show that 36% of total criminalists’ work hours were devoted to crime scene investigations.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sheriff should eliminate the requirement that staff criminalists divide their time between scientific, laboratory-based testing and crime scene investigation.

F19

The County requires scientifically trained criminalists to be sworn peace officers; i.e., County Deputy Sheriffs. Contra Costa is the last county in the state with the sworn officer requirement. The next to last, San Bernardino County, eliminated the requirement 20 years ago.

No recommendations for this finding

F20

The County received applications from only two qualified, experienced candidates for the vacant Deputy Sheriff-Criminalists positions during the 2005 recruitment effort, due in part to the sworn officer requirement.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sheriff should expedite the anticipated elimination of the requirement that new criminalists must also be sworn peace officers. 7

F21

Few of the local police agencies the Lab’s Criminalistics Section serves have their own dedicated Crime Scene Investigation (“CSI”) units. Instead, they rely on the Criminalistics Section to provide such support, reportedly in some cases, coverage for simply unavailable, ill or vacationing investigators in some local police departments.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sheriff should work with those contracting police agencies without their own CSI units to help them transition to their own units to support local investigators.

F22

By comparison to the Lab’s newer and larger Muir Road facility, the available space for the Criminalistics Section’s staff at the Escobar Road location is outdated and inadequate from a square footage standpoint to meet current staff, testing, and storage requirements, let alone future, needs if it were appropriately staffed.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sheriff should secure adequate and up-to-date workspace to accommodate not only the Lab’s existing Criminalistics Section staff but also the recommended increase in staff members.

F23

The County’s Office of the District Attorney (“DA”) points to a consistently high level of test quality and Lab staff professionalism. The DA is unaware of any instances when his office was not able to expedite Lab testing if necessary for a felony case that finally went to trial. CONCLUSIONS

No recommendations for this finding

Conclusions 6

CL1 Page 6

The County’s Forensics and Crime Laboratory enjoys a well-deserved reputation for providing a consistently high level of testing quality and staff professionalism. 6 However, the Lab, and especially its Criminalistics Section, suffers from a long- standing inability to meet the testing turnaround time expectations of its many police agency clients.
CL2 Page 7

The fact that the Lab continues to operate using a 40-year old management model, combined with an approved criminalist complement that remains at a 1980 level, places a significant burden on the staff to meet the ever-increasing expectations of the Lab’s many police agency clients. The continuing requirement that criminalists divide their time between lab-based scientific testing and crime scene investigation duties is an increasingly inefficient use of their time.
CL3 Page 7

Raised expectations place an ever-increasing burden on the Criminalistics Section’s Biology, Firearms, and Trace sub-units, to deliver both consistently high quality and timely test results. DNA testing and analysis in particular is a sophisticated and rapidly changing scientific discipline that requires a staff of thoroughly trained and dedicated scientists large enough to serve the growing needs of the County.
CL4 Page 7

Police agency investigators are frustrated with the length of time it takes to obtain Biology, Firearms and Trace test results. They point to the fact that chronic delays make it difficult to develop leads that help solve active cases. Investigators also complain that their ability to work so-called “cold cases” is severely compromised since it’s unlikely that the Criminalistics Section will be able to work considerably older cases when they are struggling to keep up with daily incoming test requests.
CL5 Page 7

The inability to develop investigative leads and solve crimes using scientific test results not only frustrates police investigators, but crime victims and family members alike. Investigators also point out that their inability to quickly identify and apprehend crime suspects increases the chances they may re-offend.
CL6 Page 7

The inability of the Criminalistics Section to consistently respond in a timely manner inhibits the Lab’s ability to charge user fees that, when combined with other sources of revenue, more closely approximate the cost of providing services.

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Sheriff Office

August 17, 2007 • 8 pages • 29 responses • Score: +27 (+27, 2, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

29 responses to findings and recommendations

The Contra Costa County Forensics and Crime Laboratory is a division of the Office of the Sheriff.

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 2: The Lab has a total staff of 72, a combination of scientific, technical, support, and administrative personnel. The Lab staff is assigned to four functional areas: Drug, Alcohol & Toxicology Section, Criminalistics Section, Central Identification Services (fingerprinting), and Property & Evidence Services. Response: AGREE Finding No. 3: The Lab maintains accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB). The Lab is one of several county crime laboratories in the nation that has earned such recognition. ASC...

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The timeframe to implement this recommendation can not be accurately determined given the current budget constraints. The Sheriff's Office is supportive of the recommended increase in the number of authorized and budgeted criminalists. However, county funding is required to meet this recommendation. The Sheriff's Office is actively pursuing federal and state grants to augment existing staff until county funding becomes available. County funding is not available for the expansion of criminalist staffing in the u...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 2: The Lab has a total staff of 72, a combination of scientific, technical, support, and administrative personnel.

The Sheriff should expedite the anticipated elimination of the requirement that new criminalists must also be sworn peace officers. 7

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The recommendation has been implemented. The Sheriff's Office has created a civilian criminalist job classification that is pending Human Resources approval. Recommendation No. 3: The Sheriff should eliminate the requirement that staff criminalists divide their time between scientific, laboratory-based testing and crime scene investigation. Response: The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The timeframe to implement this recommendation can not be accurately determined given the current budget constraints. The Sheriff's Office has created a Crime Sc...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 3: The Lab maintains accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB).

The Sheriff should eliminate the requirement that staff criminalists divide their time between scientific, laboratory-based testing and crime scene investigation.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The timeframe to implement this recommendation can not be accurately determined given the current budget constraints. The Sheriff's Office has created a Crime Scene Investigator job classification with the intent of transferring the majority of the routine crime scene response and processing burden from the criminalists. County funding needs to be available to expand the number of budgeted Crime Scene Investigator positions. The current authorized number of Crime Scene Investigators is two, with one of the posi...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 4: The Lab provides forensic testing and consultation services (scientific analysis of crime scene physical evidence) to the Sheriff's Office, as well as to local police agencies, the Solano County District Attorney, Vallejo, and recently Oakland, on a contracted, fee-for-service basis.

The Sheriff should work with those contracting police agencies without their own CSI units to help them transition to their own units to support local investigators.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

This recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future. The implementation of the recommendation should be completed within the next four months. Within the past two years, the Sheriff's Office has provided training to some of the local law enforcement agencies to increase the abilities of their evidence technicians. The Sheriff's Office is developing plans to provide future training to evidence technicians from law enforcement agencies Grand Jury Response No.0704 Page 7 of 8 across the county in an effort to assist local agencies with the development or enhancemen...

The Lab is one of only four county crime labs in the state of California that charge contracting agencies fees for their services; Alameda, Santa Clara, and Sacramento are the other three.

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 5: The Lab is one of only four county crime labs in the state of California that charge contracting agencies fees for their services; Alameda, Santa Clara, and Sacramento are the other three.

The Sheriff should secure adequate and up-to-date workspace to accommodate not only the Lab’s existing Criminalistics Section staff but also the recommended increase in staff members.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

This recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future. The timeframe to implement this recommendation can not be accurately determined given the current budget constraints. The Sheriff's Office is actively looking for a larger facility to house the Criminalistics Section and, if space permits, to possibly consolidate Criminalistics and Central Identification Services in the same location. However, a funding source to secure a larger facility has not been identified. Recommendation No. 6: The Lab should expand its turnaround time reports to include all backlog dat...

Response: Agree Score: +1

: Based on fiscal year 2005-2006 data, forensic testing and consultation fees charged by the Lab to contracting police agencies generated $1.8 million. That represented approximately 25% of the Lab's $7.2 million total cost of providing the services. The percentage of the service cost covered by fees charged to police agencies ranges from a low of 19% for selected Criminalistic Section tests to a high of 76% for selected tests completed by the Drug, Alcohol & Toxicology Section. Following are program cost and client fee recovery percentage details: Program Cost and Percent of Cost Recovery Fr...

The Lab should expand its turnaround time reports to include all backlog data to more accurately and completely report “aging” test requests.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented. A report is available that can list the cases that are in the backlog and their corresponding date of request. Recommendation No. 7: Once the Lab improves its overall test turnaround time performance levels, it should take the opportunity to increase its fees so that local police agency contract income, when combined with other sources of revenue, more closely approximates the cost of providing all forensic services. Response: This recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future. A time frame for the implementation can n...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 7: The Lab's published mission statement reads: "Provide a high level of timely (emphasis added), thorough, accurate, and objective evidence analysis, consultation, and crime scene processing services.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

This recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future. A time frame for the implementation can not be accurately determined. The improvement in overall test turnaround times requires the increased level in staffing that can not be done without county funding. The current budget constraints prevent the hiring of additional staff and that prevents the Lab's ability to significantly improve its turnaround times to acceptable levels in the Biology Unit. A financial analysis of the Forensic Services Division is underway to assist in determining the appropriate level of ...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 9: The Lab's Criminalistics Section, located at Escobar Road in Martinez, also reports turnaround times that do not vary widely from those reported by other labs.

F10

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 10: The Criminalistics Section reports the average length of time between receiving test requests and completion.

F11

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 12: Local police agencies report a consistently high level of confidence in the quality of Lab test results. However, they also report long-standing dissatisfaction and frustration with testing turnaround times, especially those involving the Criminalistics Section. Local police agencies report they are using, or are considering using, alternative testing facilities such as the FBI or private labs on a selective basis. Response: AGREE Finding No. 13: The Criminalistic Section's Biology, Firearms and Trace backlog data reflects test requests dating back more than three yea...

F12

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 12: Local police agencies report a consistently high level of confidence in the quality of Lab test results.

F13

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 13: The Criminalistic Section's Biology, Firearms and Trace backlog data reflects test requests dating back more than three years.

F14

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 14: The Lab's Criminalistics Section is organized into four functional sub-units based on the types of services each provides; i.

F15

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 15: The Criminalistics Section staff includes 11 approved criminalist positions for all three sub-units, as well as two crime scene investigators.

F16

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 17: Since 1980, Contra Costa County's population has increased from approximately 656,000 to more than 1.1 million. Response: AGREE Finding No. 18: The Lab makes use of a 40-year old functional model that requires criminalists to divide their time between performing laboratory-based scientific tests and conducting crime scene investigations. Statistics for 2005 show that 36% of total criminalists' work hours were devoted to crime scene investigations. Response: AGREE Finding No. 19: The County requires scientifically trained criminalists to be sworn peace officers; i.e....

F17

Since 1980, Contra Costa County’s population has increased from approximately 656,000 to more than 1.1 million.

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 17: Since 1980, Contra Costa County's population has increased from approximately 656,000 to more than 1.

F18

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 18: The Lab makes use of a 40-year old functional model that requires criminalists to divide their time between performing laboratory-based scientific tests and conducting crime scene investigations.

F19

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 19: The County requires scientifically trained criminalists to be sworn peace officers; i.

F20

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 20: The County received applications from only two qualified, experienced candidates for the vacant Deputy Sheriff-Criminalists positions during the 2005 recruitment effort, due in part to the sworn officer requirement.

F21

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE. Finding No. 22: By comparison to the Lab's newer and larger Muir Road facility, the available space for the Criminalistics Section's staff at the Escobar Road location is outdated and inadequate from a square footage standpoint to meet current staff, testing, and storage requirements, let alone future, needs if it were appropriately staffed. Response: AGREE Finding No. 23: The County's Office of the District Attorney ("DA") points to a consistently high level of test quality and Lab staff professionalism. The DA is unaware of any instances when his office was not able to expedite La...

F22

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 23: The County's Office of the District Attorney ("DA") points to a consistently high level of test quality and Lab staff professionalism. The DA is unaware of any instances when his office was not able to expedite Lab testing if necessary for a felony case that finally went to trial. Response: AGREE Recommendation No. 1: The Sheriff should seek approval to increase the number of authorized and budgeted criminalists in the Lab from the current 1980 level of 11, to between 20 and 24, to be assigned as required in the Criminalistics Section's Biology, Firearms, and Trace & ...

F23

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 23: The County's Office of the District Attorney ("DA") points to a consistently high level of test quality and Lab staff professionalism.

Sheriff Office

May 09, 2007 • 4 pages • 14 responses • Score: +11 (+11, 3, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

14 responses to findings and recommendations

The Contra Costa County Forensics and Crime Laboratory is a division of the Office of the Sheriff.

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 2: Grand Jury inspections of the above-mentioned facilities were conducted in accordance with California Corrections Standards Authority guidelines. California Corrections Standards Authority regulations are contained in Title 15 and Title 24, California Code of Regulations. Response: AGREE Finding No. 3: County detention facility inspections (Martinez, West County, and Marsh Creek) included a review of common incident reports, grievance procedures, inmate requests for information, medical care practices, telephone and visiting procedures, and adherence to "72-hour requir...

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. We have obtained preliminary drawings and a cost estimate of $15,229.00. We anticipate moving forward in August 2007, provided funding is available within the budget as required. Recommendation No. 2: The Sheriff should complete the project to secure all movable furniture to the floor or to adjacent stationary objects in the Martinez Detention Facility housing units to avoid vandalism and to discourage its use as weapons. Response: This Recommendation has been implemented. The project is funded. Furniture...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 2: Grand Jury inspections of the above-mentioned facilities were conducted in accordance with California Corrections Standards Authority guidelines.

The Sheriff should expedite the anticipated elimination of the requirement that new criminalists must also be sworn peace officers. 7

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This Recommendation has been implemented. The project is funded. Furniture will be purchased in July and installed upon arrival. Grand Jury Response No. 0706 Page 3 of 4 Recommendation No. 3: The Sheriff should insist that the General Services Department promptly repair the shower plumbing problems in the affected West County Detention Facility housing units. Response: The Recommendation will be implemented. The Sheriff's Office and General Services Department personnel are working together to resolve this matter. All showers are currently operational. Recommendation No. 4: The Sheriff sho...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 3: County detention facility inspections (Martinez, West County, and Marsh Creek) included a review of common incident reports, grievance procedures, inmate requests for information, medical care practices, telephone and visiting procedures, and adherence to "72-hour requirement" for court hearings.

The Sheriff should eliminate the requirement that staff criminalists divide their time between scientific, laboratory-based testing and crime scene investigation.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Recommendation will be implemented. The Sheriff's Office and General Services Department personnel are working together to resolve this matter. All showers are currently operational. Recommendation No. 4: The Sheriff should replace the West County Detention Facility's current fixed-view security cameras with new units that will allow staff members to modify their fields of view as required. Response: The Recommendation requires further analysis. Camera replacement must include the addition of monitoring stations. The initial estimate for the monitoring system upgrade is $50,000, and we a...

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 5: A review of the circumstances surrounding, and subsequent internal investigation of, two "Deaths in Custody" at the Martinez Detention Facility in 2006 led to the conclusion that procedures followed by detention staff were consistent with CSA standards. Response: AGREE Finding No. 6: The Office of the Sheriff ("Sheriff") plans to remodel the women's holding area within the intake section in the Martinez Detention Facility to improve security. Response: AGREE Finding No. 7: Modifications are underway in the Martinez Detention Facility to secure all movable housing uni...

The Sheriff should work with those contracting police agencies without their own CSI units to help them transition to their own units to support local investigators.

Response: Requires Analysis

Score: 0

The Recommendation requires further analysis. Camera replacement must include the addition of monitoring stations. The initial estimate for the monitoring system upgrade is $50,000, and we are in the process of requesting additional estimates. Following receipt of all cost estimates, a cost versus benefit analysis will be considered, and a recommendation to proceed will be contingent on available funding. Recommendation No. 5: The Sheriff should follow-up with the General Services Department to accomplish the replacement of the floor covering immediately adjacent to the jail cells in the Ric...

The Lab is one of only four county crime labs in the state of California that charge contracting agencies fees for their services; Alameda, Santa Clara, and Sacramento are the other three.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Sheriff should secure adequate and up-to-date workspace to accommodate not only the Lab’s existing Criminalistics Section staff but also the recommended increase in staff members.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This has been implemented. The flooring was professionally cleaned and refinished and is scheduled to be replaced by General Services Department in July 2007. Grand Jury Response No. 0706 Page 4 of 4

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 6: The Office of the Sheriff ("Sheriff") plans to remodel the women's holding area within the intake section in the Martinez Detention Facility to improve security.

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 7: Modifications are underway in the Martinez Detention Facility to secure all movable housing unit furniture to the floor or to adjacent stationary objects to reduce vandalism and to discourage its use as weapons.

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 10: The floor covering immediately adjacent to the jail cell area in the Richmond Superior Court Holding facility was found to be in need of replacement. Repair or refinishing does not appear to be a viable option. Response: AGREE RECOMMENDATIONS The 2006-2007 Contra Costa Grand Jury recommends the following to the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner and to the Board of Supervisors: Recommendation No. 1: The Sheriff should implement the plan to remodel the women's holding area within the intake section of the Martinez Detention Facility. Response: The recommendation has n...

F10

Response: Agree Score: +1

AGREE Finding No. 10: The floor covering immediately adjacent to the jail cell area in the Richmond Superior Court Holding facility was found to be in need of replacement.

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

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