Contra Costa County Grand Jury
• 2019-2020
• Agency Response
Police Department Staffing
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F8, F10
Findings and Recommendations 12 findings
F1
Low officer staffing ratios and/or unfilled officer positions present challenges in maintaining police services. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #1.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Low officer staffing ratios and/or unfilled officer positions, have resulted in reducing or eliminating staffing of traffic units, school resource officers, community outreach, or other police services. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #2.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Due to low officer staffing ratios and/or unfilled officer positions, officers are often required to put in mandatory overtime to cover critical services. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #3. 5 1 0 L A G O N D A W A Y , D A N V I L L E , C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 5 2 6 Administration Building Engineering & Planning Transportation Maintenance Police Parks and Recreation (925) 314-3388 (925) 314-3330 (925) 314-3310 (925) 314-3320 (925) 314-3450 (925) 314-3700 (925) 314-3400 July 21, 2020
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The City/Town Councils of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon and Walnut Creek should consider directing their police departments to apply annually, or when offered in 2021, to the Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program, which provides funding for hiring additional officers, by June 30, 2021. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The Town of Danville contracts police services with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department and therefore does not directly hire. The town is provided sworn personnel as requested, without delay. In addition, this relationship precludes the Town from applying for Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program funding as the town cannot apply on behalf of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department.
F4
Mandatory overtime can lead to officer stress, which creates retention challenges. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #4.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The City/Town Councils of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek should consider identifying funds to increase the number of authorized sworn officers to fill the understaffed units, such as traffic patrol. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The Town of Danville contracts police services with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department and therefore does not directly hire. The town is provided sworn personnel as requested, without delay.
F5
Low officer staffing ratios and/or unfilled officer positions may contribute to increased average response times for Priority 1 (emergency) calls. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #5.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The City/Town Councils of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek should consider identifying funds that would permit their police departments to over- hire officer positions officer positions as a strategy for keeping the department fully staffed, by June 30, 2021. July 21, 2020 Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The Town of Danville contracts police services with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department and therefore does not directly hire. The town is provided sworn personnel as requested, without delay. The Town appreciates the time and effort spent by Her Honor and the Grand Jury in consideration of these matters. Sincerely, TOWN OF DANVILLE Karen Stepper Mayor
F6
Recruiting officers is a challenge due to fewer applicants who meet the required hiring standards and complete the rigorous testing process. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #6.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Negative perceptions of policing and the availability of less dangerous job opportunities contribute to fewer applicants. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #7.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The process of hiring and training new officers takes an extensive amount of time and resources to complete. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #9.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Contra Costa cities that contract with the Sheriff for police services are generally able to fill vacancies faster than non-contract cities. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #11.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Recruits and young officers have different expectations than in the past regarding work/life balance. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #12.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Recruits and young officers’ expectations about work/life balance contribute to the challenges of officer recruiting and retention. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #13. July 21, 2020
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs offered by Contra Costa police agencies aid retention of police officers. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #14. Grand Jury Recommendations
No recommendations for this finding