2007-2008 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium:

Conclusions 7

• CL1 Page 7
  The revenue-sharing formula between South Bay and the participating community colleges as defined in the JPA Bylaws, (Section IV), has not changed since the inception of the program.
• CL2 Page 7
  Misunderstandings about the revenue-sharing plan exist between South Bay and some agencies even though South Bay provides quarterly revenue-sharing statements to each agency.
• CL3 Page 7
  There is confusion regarding the use of one course title for all FTP courses offered and the transcripts as related to these courses.
• CL4 Page 8
  In the fall of 2007, South Bay staff bypassed their standard enrollment procedures and registered five students from the Basic Academy Class #82 in a Field Training Program. Although these students had verbally agreed to the enrollment, official registration forms were never completed or signed by the students as required.
• CL5 Page 8
  Students are initially enrolled in a given college but South Bay may ultimately assign the class to a different college for purposes of apportionment and credit. Sometimes this causes confusion when students request transcripts.
• CL6 Page 8
  The Grand Jury did not find any evidence that either transcripts or hours of credit generated had been falsified.
• CL7 Page 6
  South Bay is a complex agency that provides critical service to public safety agencies in an innovative and cost-efficient manner. The earlier period of questionable leadership has been transcended, and due to a change in leadership and direction, public safety agencies are returning to South Bay. As a result of this investigation, the Grand Jury concluded that: 1) there is no evidence of any falsification of records or wrongdoing by South Bay; and 2) South Bay is now providing an appropriate level of training that is meeting the needs of both public safety agencies and the officers in the field. 6 Findings and Recommendations The findings were reviewed with the subject agency. Finding 1 The revenue-sharing formula between South Bay and the participating community colleges as defined in the JPA Bylaws, (Section IV), has not changed since the inception of the program. Recommendation 1 The South Bay Board should review its current funding formula to ensure that the split between South Bay and the participating member colleges is based on a fair, equitable distribution as it relates to responsibilities and services provided. Similarly, the Board should review the revenue-sharing plan with participating public safety agencies. Finding 2 Misunderstandings about the revenue-sharing plan exist between South Bay and some agencies even though South Bay provides quarterly revenue-sharing statements to each agency. Recommendation 2 Agencies with training accounts need to take responsibility and request a review of the status of their account when so desired. Finding 3 There is confusion regarding the use of one course title for all FTP courses offered and the transcripts as related to these courses. Recommendation 3 South Bay needs to eliminate the generic FTP program titles. 7 Finding 4 In the fall of 2007, South Bay staff bypassed their standard enrollment procedures and registered five students from the Basic Academy Class #82 in a Field Training Program. Although these students had verbally agreed to the enrollment, official registration forms were never completed or signed by the students as required. Recommendation 4 South Bay must ensure that all students enrolled in any courses must personally complete the appropriate registration forms. Finding 5 Students are initially enrolled in a given college but South Bay may ultimately assign the class to a different college for purposes of apportionment and credit. Sometimes this causes confusion when students request transcripts. Recommendation 5 South Bay needs to explain clearly to the students that the initial enrollment may ultimately be assigned to a different college and inform students accordingly. It is also the responsibility of the students to determine which community college is assigning the final credit. Finding 6 The Grand Jury did not find any evidence that either transcripts or hours of credit generated had been falsified. Finding 7 The current Executive Director understands the training needs of public safety agencies and has been able to bridge the public safety and higher education cultures. He has created a new sense of confidence in South Bay, and as a result, agencies are returning to South Bay. 8 References California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training. www.post.ca.gov (accessed April 3, 2008). South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium. Bylaws, revised: June 21, 2001. South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium. Governing Board Meeting Agenda, August 27, 2007. South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium. Joint Powers Agreement, revised: October 16, 1996. South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium. Membership Prospectus for Monterey Peninsula College, Summer 2007. South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium, Memorandum. State of the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium, August 15, 1996. 9 Interviews December 19, 2007 Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara January 29, 2008 Director and Officer, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium February 6, 2008 Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara February 6, 2008 Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara February 6, 2008 Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara February 6, 2008 Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara February 6, 2008 Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara February 6, 2008 Director and Officer, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium February 13, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara Police Department February 13, 2008 Former Administrator, Gilroy Police Department February 13, 2008 Administrator, San Jose Police Department February 22, 2008 Staff, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium February 22, 2008 Staff, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium February 25, 2008 Former Member, Office of the Sheriff, County of Santa Clara March 5, 2008 Administrator, Gavilan College March 5, 2008 Administrator, San Jose/Evergreen Community College District March 25, 2008 Independent Accountant 10 PASSED and ADOPTED by the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury on this 1st day of May, 2008. ______________________________ Raymond A. Blockie, Jr. Foreperson ______________________________ Tim Cuneo Foreperson pro tem ______________________________ Kathryn C. Philp Secretary 11