Sheriff's Office Response

Agree FS: Partially Agree

• Law enforcement personnel are typically the first to respond to allegations of child abuse. Some members of law enforcement do not possess the most current training in effective ways to respond to such calls, which can result in missed opportunities for prosecutions and subject children to further unneeded trauma. Response: Partially Agree Law Enforcement Officers should be the first responders for all in progress or recently discovered child abuse crimes. There are times when mandated reporters submit reports that are reviewed and investigated by Child Welfare Services, without an initial law enforcement response. A law enforcement officer is trained on how to investigate, document and take action relating to child abuse investigations. They are trained in the police academy, during the field training program, and through ongoing continued professional training. Policy, practices, training, and the law guide the deputies through these sensitive investigations. Though, more training is always beneficial, we must balance the ability to meet all of our current training standards set forth by the CA training regulatory agency, Police Officers Standards and Training (POST), and our ability to have deputies being responsive to in progress crimes on patrol.

• Some law enforcement agencies do not regularly request the services of Child Welfare Services Social Workers for all investigations of suspected child abuse, instead requesting these services for only the most acute situations. Traumatized children in all abuse situations benefit from having these services provided as soon as possible. Response: Disagree The Sheriffs Office cross reports all our suspected child abuse cases to the Child Welfare Services (CWS). The Sheriffs Office incorporates internal audits to ensure we are in compliance with the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Act. If a deputy investigating a child abuse complaint needs support from CWS or there is a need to place a child into protective custody, a deputy will call CWS immediately. When a cross report is made, CWS has the opportunity to investigate to determine the safest location for a child, temporary custody orders, essential services for children, and services for parents. Providing support, counseling, and mental health Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Response to Grand Jury Report-CAST 3 assistance is key to recovering from childhood traumatic experiences. The referrals we make to CWS assist with ensuring the children and their families get the necessary and needed support for recovery.

• The Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, the largest law enforcement agency in Humboldt County, does not have a specific investigator assigned as a representative to the Child Abuse Services Team, which can result in incomplete case information and negatively affect prosecutions. Response: Disagree In the past there have been times when our office hasn't participated in the monthly CAST advisory board meetings due to a staffing shortage and workload. Detective Vickman is assigned to the Child Abuse Services Team advisory board, and is actively working with the CAST team. All assigned to the Major Crimes Division are general crime investigators. Meaning that anyone in the division could be assigned any case to investigate. Currently we have three investigators and one detective that can be assigned to investigate a "CAST" case. We are currently down two other detective positions. If all our positions were filled, it may be a possibility to create one position that coordinates all child abuse investigations. I would support being fully funded to have the ability to create such a position in the future.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies participating in CAST either does not exist or is not publicly available. This results in a lack of clarity about the relationships and responsibilities of the participating agencies. Response: Disagree It is my understanding that a CAST MOU has been in place since I was working for the DA's office in 2007. It is my understanding that the District Attorney's Office has been updating the CAST MOU, however, the old MOU should still be in place and operating as a guideline for all the agencies involved.

• We could find no evidence that regular annual reports to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors about the activities of the Child Abuse Services Team exist, nor that they are required. Having such reports would give the Board of Supervisors and the public information on the depth, breadth, and response to child abuse in our community. Response: Agree Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Response to Grand Jury Report-CAST 4