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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.

Yolo County Grand Jury • 2000-2001

Yolo County Coroner's Office and Morgue

Published: June 29, 2001 6 pages

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⚠️ 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 6 findings

We found the staff enthusiastic and dedicated.

To perform the work, there are three full-time staff law enforcement agencies when animals are involved, members, one part-time staff member, and up to three enforce pertinent code sections, assist postal employees interns who work two eight-hour days a week. At threatened by loose dogs, and respond to complaints about the time of our review, the office was ready to hire stray animals or animal abuse. an additional full-time staff person. Although it occupies a large site, the facility itself is

Deputy coroners investigate the scene of death; small and cramped. Half of the main building houses the serious crimes may take weeks to fully investigate. front office, ASPCA office (the ASPCA works with The average cost to investigate a death in Yolo

shelter staff to promote adoptions), staff offices, and a County is $3,000. To save time as well as money, public bathroom which is also used by staff who have no other place to change clothes (after certain "animal events," officers need to shower and change). The other half houses—in separate rooms—cats, adoptable dogs, (REVIEWS: Yolo County Coroner's Office and Morgue- continued on next page) 19 2000-2001 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT the office increasingly performs tasks in-house that had previously been contracted out. All personnel are trained in positive fingerprinting, whole body and dental x-rays, some drug testing, and film devel- opment.

Officers are allowed time off without pay when the stress of a difficult job becomes unmanageable. Low staff turnover is attributable to the interesting nature of the work and the extra training available.

The Sheriff is trying to find reliable transportation for deputies who travel to death scenes at night in isolated or unsafe areas. CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations 1

R30-60

cases a month. In 2000, the office investigated than half of all the animals that enter the shelter. 600 deaths. Animal control officers assist other local and state 2. To perform the work, there are three full-time staff law enforcement agencies when animals are involved, members, one part-time staff member, and up to three enforce pertinent code sections, assist postal employees interns who work two eight-hour days a week. At threatened by loose dogs, and respond to complaints about the time of our review, the office was ready to hire stray animals or animal abuse. an additional full-time staff person. Although it occupies a large site, the facility itself is 3. Deputy coroners investigate the scene of death; small and cramped. Half of the main building houses the serious crimes may take weeks to fully investigate. front office, ASPCA office (the ASPCA works with The average cost to investigate a death in Yolo 4. shelter staff to promote adoptions), staff offices, and a County is $3,000. To save time as well as money, public bathroom which is also used by staff who have no other place to change clothes (after certain "animal events," officers need to shower and change). The other half houses—in separate rooms—cats, adoptable dogs, (REVIEWS: Yolo County Coroner's Office and Morgue- continued on next page) 19

Conclusions 27

CL1

At the time of our investigation, only one formal (INVESTIGATIONS: Yolo County Procurement- training session had been held. 2000–2001 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT The technology the county uses for procurement
CL2

water supplies. Health Specialists who, in addition to their pro- When contamination makes system water unsafe 01-02 fessional qualifications, have undergone a year of to drink, the Yolo County Health Department training specific to Yolo County in more than one should require operators of water systems to discipline. The Grand Jury was impressed with their provide bottled water to consumers within 24 knowledge and professionalism. hours. EH's ability to assure safe drinking water is impaired
CL3

by inadequate staffing, which may be aggravated by RESPONDENTS the county's inability to match pay scales offered by Board of Supervisors (Recommendations 01-01 and neighboring counties. 01-02)
CL4

Given the risk factors in Yolo County and seasonal Yolo County Health Department (Recommendation changes in the water table, EH cannot assure safe 01-02) drinking water without the cooperation of system operators, who are on site more frequently than field
CL5

complainant's allegations of wrongdoing by CPS or Lab results from water samples the staff member identified by the complainant. Wells Sampled
CL6

CPS is in compliance with court orders, including To assess the efficacy of current regulations, the Grand protective custody. Jury oversaw the testing of water from five Small Public The Court made reasonable efforts, while protecting
CL7

Water Systems, including the complainant's, operating and providing for the children, to accommodate the under permit in different parts of Yolo County. One complainant. sample, the complainant's, tested positive for bacterial contamination. When that system was later retested, again
CL8

1. A juvenile was brought to the attention of CPS home. because of suspected child endangerment.
CL9

Our investigation substantiated the allegations that
CL10

Ward supervision and conditions at the shelter may
CL11

While in custody of the shelter, the juvenile was quent incarceration. accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor
CL12

Following a Welfare & Institutions Code hearing at partments of Probation and Employment & Social which the child was represented by the Yolo County Services are out of compliance with the Welfare & Public Defender, the child was declared a ward of Institutions Code. the Court and placed in a California Youth Authority facility.
CL13

The County Code is seriously in need of revision, as
CL14

Policy Manual lack the necessary cohesiveness to
CL15

There were no revisions to the County Code between was pointed out in great detail by "The Internal Audit April 1998 and February 27, 2001. of the Procurement Function" and the "Procurement Improvement Team Report."
CL16

Sections of the Administrative Policy Manual addres- sing procurement were revised in 1999. Sections 2.8, 2.8.1, and 2.8.2 of the Administrative
CL17

A county-wide procurement training program was be user-friendly. implemented in August 1999.
CL18

The city manager and the director of CDD have made general public to make it easier for the public to understand a good start at improving policies and procedures in how to obtain permits and service. the department. Of the remedies promised in the By December 2001 web site improvements will be made January 22, 2001 Management and Action Plan, there to allow customers to download applications and forms. (Bud- are now public handouts explaining permit proce- get and Council approval may be necessary.) dures, and staff training is underway. A new computerized permit issuance program has been purchased and implemented. This will improve record keeping
CL19

It is too soon to judge whether the city manager's and permit management. By March 2001 staff will be trained implemented and promised actions will in fact be and will be using the new permit issuance program. sufficient to make the CDD the professional and fair Plan Check department the citizens of Woodland deserve. By March 2001 procedures will be developed and staff will be instructed to send plans to qualified plan check services
CL20

able. (INVESTIGATIONS: Yolo County Elections- 2000-2001 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Documents Examined "Statement of Votes Cast: Presidential General Election, November 7, 2000," Yolo County Office of Elections, November 16, 2000. "Touch screen voting unneeded," by Tony Bernhard, Davis Enterprise, March 25, 2001. "Flawed balloting: Lawsuits put pressure on election reform," editorial, Sacramento Bee, April 20, 2001. . 2000-2001 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Reviews Juvenile Hall REASON FOR REVIEW
CL21

Juvenile Hall has added two Senior Child Care The 1999-2000 Grand Jury recommended that the Workers to its classification system. 2000-2001 Grand Jury revisit the Yolo County Juvenile
CL22

In November 2000 Yolo County detention officers Hall to determine how well it was functioning after received an 11.2 percent pay increase and, in June initiating some of the changes recommended by last 2001 safety retirement, retirement benefits for peace year's Grand Jury. officers that previously were not available to officers who work at Juvenile Hall. Detention officers will
CL23

panded in 1976-1977 to a facility with a rated capacity term needs) of the Juvenile Hall appear improved. It of 30. It is not unusual, however, for the facility to house is difficult to recommend major physical corrections more than 40 juveniles. The director predicts that con- to the present facility. Such items as walk-through struction of the new Juvenile Hall will begin in April metal detectors and additional video cameras are 2002 and be completed by June 2003. needed, but the expenditure does not seem warranted In its report, the 1999–2000 Grand Jury recommended in an obsolete and soon-to-be-abandoned facility. a number of short-term remedies for the problems it It is too soon to judge whether increased salaries
CL24

identified at Juvenile Hall: nonfunctioning security moni- and safety retirement will provide enough impetus tors, insufficient surveillance cameras, and no metal to remedy the serious understaffing we found at the detector at the entrance to the facility. The Grand Jury Hall. Yolo County is facing stiff competition in hiring also recommended increased salaries and benefits for the and retaining competent personnel to staff its Juve- corrections officers who work there. nile Hall. To this end the administrators in the Proba- tion Department, the Department of Human Re-
CL25

portunities abound: GED tutoring, literacy, parenting, by well-trained correctional officers who take pride alcohol and drug counseling, anger management, HIV in their profession and the job they are performing. counseling, computer education, and women's support. The equipment and educational programs are purchased
CL26

We found the staff enthusiastic and dedicated.
CL27

We support the Sheriff's efforts to secure reliable transportation for his staff. No county employee should be put at greater risk than necessary. 2000-2001 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT