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Findings and Recommendations 20 findings
F1
The number of patrol officers in the service of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department is the same (68) as it was 30 years ago.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Most of the County does not have around -the-clock (24/7) patrol personnel on duty.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Ukiah and its environs have continuous patrol coverage.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Duty assignments for patrol officers are adjusted to ensure that personnel are on duty at the most critical times. (707) 463-4320
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Approximately 30% of a patrol officer's time is spent writing reports. Issues:
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Mendocino County Sheriff Dispatch Communication Center (911 calls) has personnel on duty 24/7.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The majority of 911 calls to the Mendocino County Sheriff Dispatch come from the greater Ukiah area.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Telephone land lines in the northern part of the County, including Round Valley, are owned and serviced by Verizon Communications, while the rest of the county is served by SBC.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
On occasion the Verizon 911 system for the northern part of the County fails.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Mendocino County Sheriff Dispatch has a contingency plan to supplant the Verizon 911 system when it fails.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
State legislation and funding exists which in the future will result in the consolidation of dispatch facilities that are currently operated by other agencies. Round Valley Issues:
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The County Sheriff’s Department has its main office on Low Gap Road in Ukiah, with substations located in Willits, Round Valley, Laytonville, Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Anderson Valley, Potter Valley, and one soon to be located by the Grace Hudson Elementary School in South Ukiah.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
A policy unique to Round Valley allows for patrol officers to receive incentive pay as an inducement to live and work in the valley.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Round Valley has one sergeant and three patrol officers to share the daily duties; this represents a higher staffing ratio than is found in other remote parts of the County.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Round Valley patrol officers have the support and assistance of tribal police in performing their duties.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The Sheriff’s Department holds monthly meetings in Round Valley as a community relations effort, but they are poorly attended by the community unless a hot button issue is on the agenda. (707) 463-4320 Incidental Issues:
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff’s Department and local authorities strive to better inform the public when monthly meetings are being held in Round Valley. (Finding 16.) Comments The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department is doing well with the staff available. In an era with so many funding issues, it is remarkable that the work of the Department continues with a high degree of efficiency and professional dedication which provides the citizens of Mendocino County a reasonable level of police protection. Should citizens in a given area feel the need for additional protection Neighborhood Watch Groups can be organized. The Sheriff’s Department is willing to assist in the formation of such groups if their help is requested. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department must patrol approximately 3800 square miles with a patrol staff of 68. Their duties are varied and complex. In response to a growing County population and a growing drug problem they work to provide the best service possible with the funds available. Citizens within the County will find that they are best served when involved with their communities and willing to invest time to make the County a better place in which to live and work. For example, volunteers who dedicate time to the Reserves and Search and Rescue teams are to be commended. The duty assignments for patrol officers in the County provide a very challenging logistical problem. With the staff available the Department must strive for maximum protection at the most critical times. Citizens of the county must realize that the remote areas will not have 24/7 coverage. Other deputies must cover for personnel who are injured, on sick leave, or on vacation. Law enforcement (707) 463-4320 personnel within the County and beyond must be prepared to respond in a timely fashion to a wide variety of emergencies. The Emergency Response System in the County does well to service such a vast area. Communication within all parts of the county continues to improve. The Sheriff Dispatch works constantly to improve the existing communication system. An upgrade of the microwave communication system used by officers on the ground is necessary. Verizon should give closer attention to their land line communication system in the northern part of the County. Citizens with a concern regarding the 911 response system should work with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exact a change.
F17
Mendocino County has curfew laws on the books, but they are unevenly enforced.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department uses the expertise of the California Division of Forestry (CDF) in arson fire investigations.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
Through mutual aid agreements, other local, State and Federal agencies assist the County in law enforcement when necessary.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The City of Point Arena contracts with the County Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement protection for their city.
No recommendations for this finding
Comments 1
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CO1The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department is doing well with the staff available. In an era with so many funding issues, it is remarkable that the work of the Department continues with a high degree of efficiency and professional dedication which provides the citizens of Mendocino County a reasonable level of police protection. Should citizens in a given area feel the need for additional protection Neighborhood Watch Groups can be organized. The Sheriff’s Department is willing to assist in the formation of such groups if their help is requested. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department must patrol approximately 3800 square miles with a patrol staff of 68. Their duties are varied and complex. In response to a growing County population and a growing drug problem they work to provide the best service possible with the funds available. Citizens within the County will find that they are best served when involved with their communities and willing to invest time to make the County a better place in which to live and work. For example, volunteers who dedicate time to the Reserves and Search and Rescue teams are to be commended. The duty assignments for patrol officers in the County provide a very challenging logistical problem. With the staff available the Department must strive for maximum protection at the most critical times. Citizens of the county must realize that the remote areas will not have 24/7 coverage. Other deputies must cover for personnel who are injured, on sick leave, or on vacation. Law enforcement Page 3 of 4 2004/05 Mendocino County Grand Jury County of Mendocino Post Office Box 629 Grand Jury Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 463-4320 personnel within the County and beyond must be prepared to respond in a timely fashion to a wide variety of emergencies. The Emergency Response System in the County does well to service such a vast area. Communication within all parts of the county continues to improve. The Sheriff Dispatch works constantly to improve the existing communication system. An upgrade of the microwave communication system used by officers on the ground is necessary. Verizon should give closer attention to their land line communication system in the northern part of the County. Citizens with a concern regarding the 911 response system should work with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exact a change.