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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.

Orange County Grand Jury • 2015-2016

Required Responses

579 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 25 findings

F1 Page 187
The pedestrian screening areas located at the entrances to the Central Justice Center are heavily used and become congested during high traffic times. Pedestrian crowding prevents the Sheriff’s Special Officers from having an adequate view of persons entering the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 188
The Orange County Sheriff should make best efforts to coordinate with the Court Facilities Manager no later than September 2017 to determine which space designation (County, Court, or Common) applies to points of ingress and egress at the county’s courthouses to help determine fiscal responsibility for security/safety improvements. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5)
F2 Page 187
The industrial/office grade partitions used in the Central Justice Center’s screening areas to channel the public entering and departing the facility do not provide ballistic protection for Sheriff’s Special Officers in the case of an active shooter emergency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 188
The Orange County Sheriff should make best efforts to coordinate with the Court Facilities Manager no later than September 2017 to determine which space designation (County, Court, or Common) applies to points of ingress and egress at the county’s courthouses to help determine fiscal responsibility for security/safety improvements. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5)
F3 Page 187
There is no system for regulating or channeling the public in order to prevent crowding at the scanning stations. Sheriff’s Special Officers must use verbal commands in order to maintain public order and organization.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 188
The Orange County Sheriff should make best efforts to coordinate with the Court Facilities Manager no later than September 2017 to determine which space designation (County, Court, or Common) applies to points of ingress and egress at the county’s courthouses to help determine fiscal responsibility for security/safety improvements. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5)
F4 Page 187
None of the County jail or court facilities visited uses full body scanners to prevent the public from bringing non-metallic weapons, tools or other contraband into the facility.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 188
The Orange County Sheriff should make best efforts to coordinate with the Court Facilities Manager no later than September 2017 to determine which space designation (County, Court, or Common) applies to points of ingress and egress at the county’s courthouses to help determine fiscal responsibility for security/safety improvements. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5)
R11
Page 189
The Orange County Sheriff should develop a plan by January 2017 for the funding, purchase and installation of Full Body Scanners for each courthouse entrance. (F4)
F5 Page 187
The current security/surveillance camera system on the exterior of the Harbor Justice Center is not adequate and until completion of on-going upgrades, does not provide for sufficient monitoring.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 188
The Orange County Sheriff should make best efforts to coordinate with the Court Facilities Manager no later than September 2017 to determine which space designation (County, Court, or Common) applies to points of ingress and egress at the county’s courthouses to help determine fiscal responsibility for security/safety improvements. (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5)
R4
Page 188
The Orange County Sheriff should continue best efforts to coordinate with the Court Facilities Manager by January 2017 to support the current project to upgrade and expand the video surveillance system at the Harbor Justice Center. (F5)
F6 Page 187
The roll-up doors located at the Harbor Justice Center do not prevent some observation of inmates arriving and departing the court by the Sheriff’s transportation vehicles.
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 187
The Command Center at John Wayne Airport uses outdated surveillance equipment.
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 187
The K-9 office located at John Wayne Airport is in need of repair or replacement.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Page 189
The Orange County Sheriff should coordinate with the Airport Director for John Wayne Airport to develop a plan by September 2017 for the funding, and repair or replacement of the K-9 Staff Office at John Wayne Airport. (F8)
F9 Page 187
The Harbor Patrol Marine Operations Bureau does not have waterproof dashboard or handheld video cameras for use at all three harbors in its patrol area.
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 187
Adequate long-range surveillance equipment is not available to Dana Point deputies performing harbormaster duties. 2015-2016 Orange County Grand Jury 9582813_GJ_text_document_Final.indd 185 7/7/16 8:06 AM Sheriff’s Temporary Detention/Holding Areas, Patrol Areas and Special Services
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Page 189
The Orange County Sheriff should develop a plan by September 2017 to fund and equip the REPORT harbormaster deputies with long-range surveillance equipment. (F10) 5
F11 Page 188
The outside parking/equipment staging area located at the Aliso Viejo Sheriff’s Station provides inadequate protection along the rear of the enclosed area. No barrier exists to prevent unencumbered access onto Sheriff’s property.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Page 189
The Orange County Sheriff should coordinate with the City of Aliso Viejo by January 2017 to develop a plan for the funding and construction of a wall or fence along the entire rear of the Aliso Viejo Sheriff’s Station facility. (F11)
F12 Page 241
The Office of the District Attorneydemonstrated questionable leadership when a newly hired temporary employee was promoted into a leadership position, resulting in the new hire managing the staff memberswho were still providing orientation training for the new hire.
No recommendations for this finding
F13 Page 241
The Public Administrator’sOffice has no established mentorship training or leadership program in place for developingtalented current employees. This has resulted in experienced Public Administratoremployees being passed over for promotional and leadership opportunities. Case Management System (E-CMDS)
No recommendations for this finding
F14 Page 241
The E-CMDS case management system is antiquated, unreliable, does not have the ability to quickly and accuratelycull reliable data, anddoes not meet the current business needs of the Public Administrator/Public Guardian deputies. Although there have been several attempts to replace the current E-CMDS, each has failed to produce tangible results.
No recommendations for this finding
F15 Page 241
The PublicAdministrator’s Officeis considering pursuing the purchase of a case management system that will be completely separate from whatever case management system the Public Guardian pursues, which has the potential to result in fragmented communication and duplicative processes when cases are handed over from the Public Guardianto the Public Administrator. Training and Certification: 2015-2016 Orange County Grand Jury age 44 P 9582813_GJ_text_document_Final.indd 239 7/7/16 8:06 AM Changing of the Guardian: Life After the Reorganization of the PA and PG Offices
No recommendations for this finding
F16 Page 242
The Public Guardian’s Office does not have a reliable system for tracking Public Guardiandeputy training and membership status to ensure guardians maintain certification as stated in Probate Code.
No recommendations for this finding
F17 Page 242
ThePublic Guardian’s Officedoes not hold deputystaff accountable for adhering to Policy 1.01-Public Guardian Certification and Continuing Education. This has resulted in the majority of deputies being out of compliance with certification which could have negativeconsequences and/or impact their ability to best serve their clients.
No recommendations for this finding
F18 Page 242
The Public Guardian’s Officehas not provided clear guidance or assistance to ensure deputies understand the financial reimbursement process, resulting in deputies not pursuing recertification. REPORT 6 Policy & Procedure
No recommendations for this finding
F19 Page 242
The Public Guardian’s Officehas worked diligently to update policies and procedures, however, some of the staff responsible for implementingthese policies do not agree with some of the content, are not aware that they have been completed, and/or do not intend to comply with the policies.
No recommendations for this finding
F20 Page 242
ThePublic Guardian’s Officehas not effectively communicated theexpectationthat deputy staff are required to adhere to updated Public Guardianpolicies.
No recommendations for this finding
F21 Page 242
Behavioral Health Services has a policy review structure in place. Although it is the intentionto integrate the Public Guardian Office into Behavioral Health Services processes, two years have gone by without this integration occurring. Behavioral Health Services is not knowledgeable about Public Guardianprocesses and can only review Public Guardianspecific policies for style and format compliance.
No recommendations for this finding
F22 Page 242
Public Guardianpolicies are not reviewed and revised on a regular basis andthere is no clear system in place for distribution of new or revised policies.
No recommendations for this finding
F23 Page 242
The Public Guardianstaff is expected to follow general Behavioral Health Services policies, which address over-arching expectations for all Behavioral Health Services staff. However, some Public Guardianstaff do not feel like they are an integral part of the Behavioral Health Services culture and do not acknowledge that Behavioral Health Services policies are relevant to their job. The Public Guardianmanual, which is the primary reference for deputies, does not include several policies that would be considered as staples for most organizations. Quality Assurance:
No recommendations for this finding
F24 Page 242
The Public Guardian’s Office has no internal Quality Assurance unit, and thedepartment is not represented or included in Behavioral Health Services quality assurance activities 2015-2016 Orange County Grand Jury age 45 P 9582813_GJ_text_document_Final.indd 240 7/7/16 8:06 AM Changing of the Guardian: Life After the Reorganization of the PA and PG Offices two years after the reorganization of the Public GuardianOffice. The Public Guardian’s Officedependsupon external audits to evaluate their performance.
No recommendations for this finding
F25 Page 243
The Public Guardian’s Officedoes not initiate anyinternal quality assurance activities to measure job performance, or adherence to Probate Codes and Best Practices to ensure excellent customer service.
No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 19

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.