Internal Investigations in Police Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recommendations 4

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  THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNTY CONTINUE TO SEEK REFORM OF STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO COMBAT RISING COSTS AND TO HELP IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE LOOPHOLES THAT COULD PERMIT ABUSES IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS. Contracting Out The report of the Los Angeles County programs for contracting out of services under provisions of Proposition A can be found in the Major Issues section of this report. Management Audits The report on Los Angeles County practices concerning the conduct and outcome of management audits and reviews can be found in the Major Issues section of this report. 1000 Incorporated Cities Under existing law, a grand jury may examine the books and records of any incorporated city within the county if the inquiry pertains to fiscal matters (Penal Code section 925a). Although the law permits a grand jury to function in the capacity of watchdog over county government, it does not permit the same with incorporated cities. This limitation seriously restricts the grand jury's ability to address local problems for citizens of the incorporated cities. There is a legislative bill pending, Senate Bill 924 (SB 924), which expands grand jury authority to include watchdog functions going beyond the present authority to inspect the financial books and records of said cities. The fiscal audits conducted on the three incorporated cities indicate that the audit 1 controls for all three cities should be strengthened. Better procedures for budgeting should be in place. Budgets should be prepared on an annual basis to show all sources of income and expenditures. These figures should be made available to the general public. Full audit reports on the aforementioned subjects can be found under separate cover in the Grand Jury office or any of the following public libraries: City of Los Angeles Public Library, County of Los Angeles Public Library, and the County of Los Angeles Law Library. THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THAT FISCAL INVESTIGATIONS OF
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  THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PURSUE PASSAGE OF SB 924 SO THAT THE AUTHORITY FOR INVESTIGATIONS OF INCORPORATED CITIES CAN BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE WATCHDOG FUNCTIONS. Sandra Klasky, Chair Maycie Herrington Jean Hitchcock 8.8 Edwin Kwoh Patricia Lofland Lidia Roth Eduardo Valdiviez 41 CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE PURPOSE A function of the Criminal Justice Committee is the evaluation of criminal cases presented to the Grand Jury by the District Attorney for investigative and indictment hearings. The committee also has authority to examine areas of the criminal justice system of the county to identify aspects which may benefit from suggested improvements in its service delivery. A major function of the committee is the review of correspondence and citizen complaints directed to the Grand Jury alleging policy, procedural or law violations; and when warranted, initiate investigations in such matters. The committee also reviews requests for Grand Jury subpoenas. AREAS OF REVIEW Screening of Cases 0 Review of Correspondence • Voting Irregularities . Court Support Video System • Preliminary Hearing Continuances . Investigation of Officer-Involved Citizen Deaths . METHOD OF INVESTIGATION The Criminal Justice Committee reviewed reports and publications relating to areas of concerns. It also interviewed officials responsible for the functions identified in this report. SCREENING OF CASES The Criminal Justice Committee reviews in secrecy the cases presented by the District Attorney to determine whether a Grand Jury investigative or indictment hearing is justified. This process of review is called "screening." Some of the standards the committee used to qualify a case for a Grand Jury hearing were: The case involves allegations of misconduct by a public official; The case requires testimony from witnesses who are non-residents of the county; 42 There is difficulty interviewing a hostile witness whose testimony may prove • vital to the prosecution; A case of unusual complexity; The case requires secrecy in its investigation and presentation. Through May 20, 1983, the Criminal Justice Committee screened and recommended that the Grand Jury hold ten investigative hearings and three indictment hearings. 2000 REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE The Criminal Justice Committee reviewed 41 items of Grand Jury correspondence from citizens alleging varied complaints against officials of the county, city, schools, and law enforcement officers. Complaints included allegations of fiscal irregularities in cities within the county, conflict of interest in the awarding of contracts, prosecutor filing and investigative irregularities, inadequate courtroom procedures, criminal negligence by private medical providers, irregularities in coroner investigations and Election Code violations. Fiscal management within cities of the county is one area of concern that previous grand juries have not addressed. The committee was made aware of this late in our term through grand jury correspondence. Two complaints of fiscal mismanagement were referred to the Audit Committee for appropriate action. Under Section 925a of the California Penal Code, the Grand Jury has authority to make fiscal audits of incorporated cities within Los Angeles County. THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THAT THE 1983-84 AND FUTURE GRAND
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  THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INITIATE LEGISLATION WHICH PROMULGATES PROVEN CITIZENSHIP ELIGIBILITY FOR CALIFORNIA VOTERS. COURT SUPPORT VIDEO SYSTEM The Criminal Justice Committee was made aware of the problems of congested calen- dars affecting the courts. Committee attention was directed to a modern technology which has successfully operated in the County of Santa Barbara since August 1981, known as the Court Support Video System. This two-way circuit television system enables probation officers and public defenders to communicate visually and audibly, within a five-mile radius, with defendants in custody at the Santa Barbara county jail. The efficiency and effectiveness of the system is evident in the county jail where inmate conferees are easily escorted to a holding tank adjacent to the video booth where the closed circuit television interviews are held. According to published reports, the Santa Barbara County Public Defender stated that the system exceeded expectations with respect to convenience and economy. Other officials of that county have been enthusiastic in supporting the use of the system. The estimated time saved through use of the video system amounts to one hour per staff person for each average investigation. Such a system is presently under study and consideration for use in Los Angeles County. Despite a lag due to some unresolved technical licensing, budgeting, legal, and procedural issues, we believe that early implementation would be of benefit to the county.
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  THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THE UTILIZATION OF SUCH A VIDEO SYSTEM IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COURT SYSTEM. PRELIMINARY HEARING CONTINUANCES A frequently discussed subject is the backlog of cases in the court system within Los Angeles County, Although over the past year there has been a general decline in delay of cases, there is still concern due to the high cost of operating the courts. According to a study conducted by the Superior Court Executive Officer, the daily cost of operation of a criminal court is $3,791. With this perspective, the Criminal Justice Committee inter- viewed judges and visited sessions of the Municipal and Superior Courts. Particular attention was given to the number of requests for continuances. The committee elected to make a cursory examination to discover the impact of the rate of continuances of felony preliminary hearings. With the assistance of the Grand Jury Legal Advisor and the Municipal Court Coordinator, 1,000 court cases were reviewed. Findings were that 84 percent of the cases required at least one or two continuances. THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS CONTINUED EFFORTS TOWARD RE-