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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.
⚠️ 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.
Recommendations 5
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R3Page 45LASD Risk Management Department should resume random drug testing. Los Angeles County Fire Department Although the CGJ met with the managers of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the managers were reluctant to provide information regarding their policy procedure and drug testing statistics. Los Angeles County Probation Department The Department of Probation (DOP) has 6,100 budgeted positions of which 4,000 have peace officer status. Pre-employment drug testing began in 2007, however random drug testing of Deputy Probation Officers with peace office status along with other key DOP personnel are not currently conducted. Since August 2007 there have been eighteen individuals charged with possession of controlled substances resulting in: • 12 employees discharged • 2 offenders suspended • 3 pending performance management review • 1 unknown disposition There is a DOT requirement to test transportation/drivers employed by DOP. The Department utilizes the DOT guidelines to test transportation/drivers. Implementation of random testing DOP employees would be a collective bargaining issue. DOP negotiates with two unions consisting of three bargaining units. To date the unions has not agreed to random testing. A probation employee arrested for drug use anywhere at any time is subject to investigation and possible termination under the zero tolerance policy.
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R4Page 45Department of Probation (DOP) key employees should be randomly tested. This would include Deputy Probation Officers who are considered safety of- ficers and should be held responsible and accountable as are the Police, safe- ty Police and Sheriff’s Officers. In addition, permanent county employees of residential detention centers and services should be randomly tested. County of Los Angeles Safety Police The Los Angeles County Office of Safety Police (OSP) is scheduled to merge with the Sheriff’s Department in June 2010. Currently there are 596 sworn officers, 70 civilian and approximately 1,100 contracted employees. OSP provides policing staff for: 2009-2010 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 33 • Board of Supervisors • Chief Economic Office • Registrar Recorder • Department of Public Social Services • Department of Children and Family Services • Department of Health Services • Department of Mental Health • Department of Parks and Recreation • Department of Probation All employment candidates are drug tested. Random drug testing procedures mirror those of the Sheriff’s Department. The OSP also manages a public Hotline. This Hotline is for the public and employees to anonymously report suspected fraud, job abuse, drug abuse as well as malfeasance of vendors, managers, or contractors. OSP is required to report the complaints to the appropriate department for investigation.
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R5Page 46The Los Angeles County Office of Safety Police (OSP) public Hotline should be integrated into the Sheriff’s Department and continue to function. Develop and maintain a categorized log of all calls. Initiate a county wide awareness pro- gram relative to the ability of the Hotline to anonymously report job related abuses. Office of the Auditor Controller The Auditor Controller staff also maintains a free County Fraud Hotline which receives allegations of fraud, drug/alcohol abuse and other complaints pertaining to county employees, managers, contractors and vendors. Allegations are also submitted and received by mail as well by walk-in contact. Each allegation is logged, a report is submitted or referral sent to the appropriate department for investigation and resolution. If a complaint is criminal in nature, the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction is contacted to investigate and adjudicate.
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R6Page 46The Office of Auditor-Controller should develop a policy/procedure manual to categorize, maintain statistical records of complaints, communicate to all 34 2009-2010 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT agencies the availability of the Hotline, publicize the Hotline number and stress the assurance of confidentiality. CITY OF LOS ANGELES
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R7Page 47The Los Angeles City Department of Personnel should collaborate and share contract information with other agencies including the County of Los Angeles to utilize the same drug testing facilities as a possible cost saving measure. Los Angeles Police Department The Los Angeles Police Department has approximately 10,000 officers. Officers are tested up to six times per year during their one year probationary period,. Permanent officers below the rank of Captain are subject to random testing three times per year. Officers testing positive are referred to a Board of Review and may be terminated. Since 1991 sixteen officers have been terminated. If an officer voluntarily informs the department of an addiction or other drug use related problems, he/she will be eligible for the Employee Assistance Program. Participation is confidential and the department cooperates and encourages the employee’s rehabilitation. The employee is allowed to use sick time and other available accrued time during the rehabilitation period. The drug testing procedures for probationary and permanent employees follow a very strict protocol to assure a drug free workplace. 2009-2010 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 35 Los Angeles City Fire Department After numerous attempts by the CGJ to schedule an information gathering meeting, Los Angeles City Fire Department failed to respond. 36 2009-2010 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT