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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.
San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury
• 2005-2006
Arroyo Grande Police Department
⚠️ 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 4 findings
F1
Page 135
Victims of domestic violence are often not well informed about resources and community support available to them. They are also reluctant to report incidents of abuse for fear of escalating violence, embarrassment, and/or possible separation from their children. Response: The respondent agrees that there is a need for providing information resources to victims of domestic violence. The Atascadero Police Department is responsive to the needs of domestic violence victims by providing victim witness resource cards, women’s shelter information cards and information relative to emergency protective orders on all domestic violence related calls. In addition, investigators conduct follow-up contacts within a week of reporting with victims of domestic violence to determine if their needs are being met, to determine if the batterer is back in the home, and to offer more resources if needed.
F2
Page 133
Domestic violence training for law enforcement officers, dispatchers and first responders is readily available and needs to be considered an essential element in their training. (Finding 3) We agree with this recommendation and do consider it an essential element in our training. Penal Code Section 13519 outlines the training requirements for domestic violence cases. Our Department complies with these requirements. We are also in compliance with all California P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) training requirements regarding domestic violence. All our officers have received the mandated training. All officers also receive a state-mandated minimum of two hours of domestic violence training every two years. In addition to these training mandates, we subscribe to legal updates and “client alerts” from our police attorneys and district attorneys. These legal updates are treated as training and covered in our patrol briefings on a daily basis. These updates include case law on domestic violence. We also have an “in-house” training bulletin service where our training sergeant produces several training bulletins per month. These also include topics related to domestic violence. Our Department also subscribes to Lexipol policy manual services as mentioned earlier. Our officers are trained in briefings as this information is passed on to us.
F3
Page 135
Arrests for domestic violence bylaw enforcement is inconsistent across law enforcement agencies. Response: The chart listed in Appendix A demonstrates the aggressive enforcement posture taken by the Atascadero Police Department with respect to arrests for domestic violence violations. Arrests by Atascadero Police Department personnel represent 15.3% of the total arrests for San Luis Obispo County, the most for any of the incorporated cities. Additionally, Atascadero Police Department initiated a program to partner with Probation on conducting compliance sweeps of domestic violence probationers located in this jurisdiction.
F4
Page 133
Law enforcement officers should make every effort to insure that batters surrender their firearms, in accordance with federal and state law. (Finding 4) We agree with this recommendation and we are in compliance with it. Penal Code Section 12028.5 mandates that officers take into temporary custody firearms or other deadly weapons in plain sight or discovered pursuant to a consensual search or other lawful search in domestic violence incidents and process them for safekeeping. Sincerely, John DeRohan Police Chief
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 136Victims of domestic violence are often not well informed about resources and community support available to them. They are also reluctant to report incidents of abuse for fear of escalating violence, embarrassment, and/or possible separation from their children. Respondent agrees with the finding. This agency agrees with findings and does provide information to all potential domestic victims.
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R2Page 135Domestic violence training for law enforcement officers, dispatchers and first responders is readily available and needs to be considered an essential element in their training. Response: Domestic violence training is included in Field Training programs for new officers and Communications Training programs for new dispatchers. In-service training is also included for all personnel. A representative from the Atascadero Police Department is a member of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Task Force and participates in all meetings. That representative, who is a presenter of training classes, also sits on the Law Enforcement sub-committee, which seeks to maintain consistency among county agencies and provides training opportunities to meet training needs of the county. 5505 EL CAMINO REAL • ATASCADERO, CA 93422 General Business: (805) 461-5051 Administrative Services: (805) 470-3200 Watch Commander: (805) 470-3280 Investigations: (805) 470-3216 Fax: (805) 461-3702 www.atascadero.org
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R3Page 136Training for law enforcement officers should include a heightened awareness of the need for EPOs, where appropriate, in handling incidences of domestic violence. When issuing EPOs, law enforcement should distribute bilingual brochures describing the steps to be taken to ensure the safety of each party present at the scene. Response: Issues related to Emergency Protective Orders are covered in all phases of domestic violence basic and in-service training. Supervisory staff routinely reviews reports and incidents to ensure that EPOs are offered. Bilingual victim witness cards and information brochures are readily available and provided when appropriate.
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R4Page 136Law enforcement officers should make every effort to ensure that batterers surrender their firearms, in accordance with federal and state law. Response: Seizure of firearms is included in basic and in-service training of personnel and is included in direction by supervisory staff during domestic violence incidents. Supervisors routinely review domestic violence reports to ensure that mention of weapons seizures are included in the reports. Thank you for this opportunity to describe the efforts conducted by the Atascadero Police Department regarding its response to the complex issue of domestic violence. The department is committed to being actively involved with other county agencies by providing representatives to sit on the Domestic Violence Task Force as well as the board of the North County Women’s Shelter and Resource Center. Sincerely, John G. Couch Chief of Police 5505 EL CAMINO REAL • ATASCADERO, CA 93422 General Business: (805) 461-5051 Administrative Services: (805) 470-3200 Watch Commander: (805) 470-3280 Investigations: (805) 470-3216 Fax: (805) 461-3702 www.atascadero.org GROVER BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT Jim Copsey Grover Beach Police Phone (805) 473-4511 Chief of Police 711 Rockaway Ave Fax (805) 473-4515 Grover Beach, CA 93433 [email protected] June 27, 2005 The Honorable Roger T. Piquet Presiding Judge, Superior Court San Luis Obispo Superior Court 1050 Monterey Street, Room 355 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Dear Judge Piquet: I have reviewed the 2005 Grand Jury report regarding “Restraining Orders: Paper Thin Protection” and have prepared the following responses to the findings and recommendations: Response to Findings 1. Victims of domestic violence are often not well informed about resources and community support available to them. They are also reluctant to report incidents of abuse for fear of escalating violence, embarrassment, and/or possible separation from their children. Respondent agrees with the finding. This agency agrees with findings and does provide information to all potential domestic victims. 3. Arrests for domestic violence by law enforcement is inconsistent across law enforcement agencies. Respondent disagrees with the finding. This agency does not agree that arrests are inconsistent in the fact that agencies respond or treat domestic violence differently. This agency agrees that some communities may have more or less domestic violence and larger or smaller population that could indicate the different figures shown in
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R59-06Page 153establishing user rates for residential wastewater services. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Peirce and carried unanimously. (5-0) B-3 REQUEST FOR TENTATIVE TRACT MAP, VARIANC, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR PROPOSED 6-LOT COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT ON THE WEST SIDE OF SUNSET AVENUE, BETWEEN ATASCADERO ROAD AND HILL STREET; (PUBLIC SERVICES) Senior Planner Mike Prater stated on June 19, 2006, the Planning Commission considered the proposed application for six residential parcels, one common guest parking parcel that allows for four guests parking stalls, and one useable open space parcel at least 3,000 square feet. After considering public testimony, the Commission voted 4-0-1 to 12