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Findings and Recommendations 30 findings
F1
The annual budget for the WPD provides for one Chief, three Sergeants, 10 Officers and five Dispatchers.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
WPD fill vacant Officer positions (Findings 1-6); 3 As permitted under California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 when an individual poses a danger to self or others
R2
the Willits City Council augment the budget for WPD to permit hiring of additional Officers (Findings 1-6);
F2
At the time of the visit, the actual staff consisted of one Chief, who is bilingual; three Sergeants and one acting Sergeant; six Officers, one of whom was on sick leave and another who was out on worker’s compensation; four Dispatchers and one Trainee Dispatcher. In addition, there is one part-time Officer in charge of prisoner transport, who also acts as an investigator; and one Reserve Officer, who assists at special events. The “sally port” is adjacent to the parking area and provides a secure area for transferring arrestees to or from the jail.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
WPD fill vacant Officer positions (Findings 1-6); 3 As permitted under California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 when an individual poses a danger to self or others
R2
the Willits City Council augment the budget for WPD to permit hiring of additional Officers (Findings 1-6);
R3
the Willits City Council budget for five Reserve Officer positions to work community events (Finding 2);
F3
Staff shortages are covered by the use of overtime and supervisors are required to perform field duties.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
WPD fill vacant Officer positions (Findings 1-6); 3 As permitted under California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 when an individual poses a danger to self or others
R2
the Willits City Council augment the budget for WPD to permit hiring of additional Officers (Findings 1-6);
F4
WPD cannot contribute an officer to the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force due to staff shortages.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
WPD fill vacant Officer positions (Findings 1-6); 3 As permitted under California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 when an individual poses a danger to self or others
R2
the Willits City Council augment the budget for WPD to permit hiring of additional Officers (Findings 1-6);
F5
Officers work a 12-hour shift. Replacing an Officer on an eight hour shift is easier, as one Officer can stay four hours longer and another Officer can come in four hours earlier.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
WPD fill vacant Officer positions (Findings 1-6); 3 As permitted under California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 when an individual poses a danger to self or others
R2
the Willits City Council augment the budget for WPD to permit hiring of additional Officers (Findings 1-6);
F6
Recruiting applicants is difficult: about 30% of applicants fail the background check. There is a shortage of affordable housing in Willits, and the City is remote. On the plus side, employee benefits are excellent and the pay rate is competitive with nearby law enforcement agencies. The pay is not competitive with Santa Rosa or the Bay Area. Various agencies are contacted to locate potential recruits.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
WPD fill vacant Officer positions (Findings 1-6); 3 As permitted under California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 when an individual poses a danger to self or others
R2
the Willits City Council augment the budget for WPD to permit hiring of additional Officers (Findings 1-6);
F7
Training for new officers includes ride-alongs. The length of training time can vary with seasonal community activities.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
All Officers have Peace Officer Standards and Training certification (POST).
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The current budget contains funds for officer training.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Some Officers are trained in the use of tasers, a non-lethal weapon available to WPD Officers. Tasers are an effective psychological deterrent; it is seldom necessary to actually use them; usually when an individual sees the taser, they become compliant.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Gangs are not a major problem at this time; but they are a concern. There has been some tagging (graffiti) but little violence.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP) program is presently offered to fifth graders. The program is a collaborative effort of the schools, police departments, Alcohol and Other Drug Programs (AODP), the Nuestra Allianza of Willits, and other after-school programs.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The City has revised its ordinance to regulate the outdoor cultivation of marijuana.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Occasionally there are homeless encampments on the North Coast Railroad Authority property. The encampments are removed when requested by the property owner.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
There are more homeless transients during the summer months.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The closing, in 2000, of the Psychiatric Holding Facility (PHF) in Ukiah has hampered the WPD. Now, if an officer detains an individual, under §5150, who poses a danger to him or herself or to others, but who has not been accused of a crime, the only facility available is Howard Hospital which has no mental health worker on site.2 The Officer must wait for a crisis worker from the County Mental Health Branch.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Mendocino County Mental Health Department operates a satellite clinic in Willits staffed with a mental health crisis worker, who is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. If the Willits clinic is closed, a crisis worker has to be 2 California Welfare and Institutions Code §5150 provides for up to a 72-hour hold when an individual poses a risk to self or others. sent from Ukiah to assess the patient. The WPD tries to stay and watch the person at the hospital, but, if they are called out, the patient may well leave the hospital. The patient can only be detained for 23 hours. After that, the patient must be released or transferred outside the County because the County has no appropriate facilities.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
An individual detained under a “5150” who is accused of a crime is transported to the Mendocino County Jail, where there is a mental health worker.3
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The officer in charge of the evidence room was working the night shift and was unavailable for interview or to provide access. The WPD has a bar coding system for identifying the stored items.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
A Homeland Security grant was used to purchase a new electronic fingerprinting machine, which is used for those who are cited and released. The machine is connected to the County’s secure internet connection.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
WPD has limited access to the County’s JLAN criminal justice records system. This system will produce limited statistics. If more extensive statistics are desired, a request must be submitted to County Information Technology for custom programming.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
WPD does not routinely participate in the Sheriff’s teleconferencing muster at 7:00 a.m.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
A visual examination of the three holding cells showed that they were clean and sanitary. Holding cells, if occupied, are under constant visual observation. The holding cells are shared by the Sheriff and WPD pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding regarding use and maintenance.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
Staff shortages require that prisoners be transported promptly.
No recommendations for this finding
F25
The sally port is fully operative.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
Some cell phone 911 calls are forwarded to the WPD by the California Highway Patrol; others go directly to WPD. Landline 911 calls from Willits go directly to the WPD. The 911 system is being updated.
No recommendations for this finding
F27
WPD dispatches for the Little Lake Fire District.
No recommendations for this finding
F28
There is no sign near the street to direct people to the County owned building which is occupied by WPD, the Superior Court and the Sheriff’s substation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Mendocino County General Services install a sign that is easily visible from Commercial Street (Finding 28);
F29
There is no sign at the corner of Main Street and Commercial Street directing people to the WPD, the Little Lake Fire Department, or the County complex on Commercial Street.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
City of Willits put a sign near the corner of Main Street (Highway 101) and East Commercial Street to direct people to the Little Lake Fire Department and the WPD (Finding 29). Comments The City of Willits Police Department is concerned about the possible loss of all or part of its Federal grant, Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS). Fatigue results when Officers work a 12-hour shift; safety then becomes a concern for both the Officer and the community. As with many local police agencies, newly trained officers often leave the community for higher paying jobs.
F30
Since this County-owned building was constructed in 1988, the roof has leaked into the WPD downstairs offices. It is still necessary to cover the office equipment with plastic tarps when it rains.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Mendocino County General Services repair the leaking roof (Finding 30);
Comments 1
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CO1The City of Willits Police Department is concerned about the possible loss of all or part of its Federal grant, Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS). Fatigue results when Officers work a 12-hour shift; safety then becomes a concern for both the Officer and the community. As with many local police agencies, newly trained officers often leave the community for higher paying jobs.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.