Score: +5 (5/0/0)
Ventura County Grand Jury • 2020-2021

Policing by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Published: April 30, 2021 36 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 16 findings

F01
The Grand Jury finds that VCSO provides training to its deputies that exceeds the minimum basic academy training hours recommended by POST by approximately 273 hours, or 41%.
No recommendations for this finding
F02
The Grand Jury finds that VCSO conducts thorough background investigations as part of its efforts to identify bias of its recruits and past instances that may lead to the use of improper force.
No recommendations for this finding
F03
The Grand Jury finds that since bias, especially implicit bias, is a result of prior influences and imprints, it cannot be completely eliminated.
No recommendations for this finding
F04
The Grand Jury finds that law enforcement agencies can help to mitigate the impact of bias in their interaction with the community through policies and the enforcement of those policies.
No recommendations for this finding
F05
The Grand Jury finds that training can allow an individual to identify his or her biases, become aware of the impact those biases can have on his or her perception of people and situations, and help to mitigate that impact.
No recommendations for this finding
F06
The Grand Jury finds that the very nature of policing involves the possibility of the use of force and the need to make decisions under pressure.
No recommendations for this finding
F07
The Grand Jury finds that VCSO’s Policies and Learning Domains appear to address the items required by California Senate Bill 230.
No recommendations for this finding
F08
The Grand Jury finds that law enforcement can work to minimize the use of improper force through policies and training.
No recommendations for this finding
F09
The Grand Jury finds that VCSO’s policy regarding BWCs contains an element of discretion as to when the BWC is to be turned on or off.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Grand Jury finds that BWC information can be an important element in determining the outcome of many citizen complaints.
Related Recommendations (2)
R01
The Grand Jury recommends that VCSO require activation of BWCs when responding to all calls for service and during all enforcement-related encounters and activities. (F-09, F-10)
R02
The Grand Jury recommends that, once a BWC is activated, whether in accordance with the previous recommendation or for any other reason, VCSO require the BWC to remain in recording mode until the conclusion of the encounter/activity or the officer has left the scene, except for limited exceptions announced while the BWC is recording. (F-09, F-10)
F11
The Grand Jury finds that VCSO makes an internal determination of the outcome of citizen complaints filed against its deputies.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Grand Jury did not find any pattern of bias or use of improper force in the citizen complaints reviewed by the Grand Jury for the calendar years 2018 through 2020. Policing by VCSO
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The Grand Jury finds that California AB 1185 provides a vehicle for civilian oversight of county sheriffs through the authorization of sheriff oversight boards.
Related Recommendations (1)
R03
The Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors consider creating a sheriff oversight board with respect to VCSO as authorized by AB 1185. (F-11, F-13, F-14, F-15)
F14
The Grand Jury finds that the BOS’s November 10, 2020 Resolution 20- 126, did not specially address AB 1185.
Related Recommendations (1)
R03
The Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors consider creating a sheriff oversight board with respect to VCSO as authorized by AB 1185. (F-11, F-13, F-14, F-15)
F15
The Grand Jury finds that the creation of a sheriff oversight board for VCSO would benefit both VCSO and the public by increasing accountability and transparency, and would serve to provide an additional level of trust to community members who encounter deputies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R03
The Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors consider creating a sheriff oversight board with respect to VCSO as authorized by AB 1185. (F-11, F-13, F-14, F-15)
F16
The Grand Jury finds that VCSO’s Citizen’s Complaint Form does not comply with the express wording and formatting requirements of PC Section 148.6(a)(2). RECOMMENDATIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R04
The Grand Jury recommends that VCSO revise its Citizen Complaint Form to comply with the express wording and formatting requirements of California Penal Code Section 148.6(a)(2). (F-16) RESPONSES Responses required from: The following elected officers or agency heads : Ventura County Sheriff (F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, F-06, F-07, F-08, F-09, F-10,

Commendations 4

Agency Responses 1

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No Responses Found 1

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