Sacramento County Grand Jury
2015-2016
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (7)
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Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
Some law enforcement agencies in Sacramento County fail to use innovative domestic violence intervention best practices. These evidence-based practices demonstrate measurable results that have a positive impact on victims, families, law enforcement, and the community. These practices include: • Leadership at the executive level that prioritizes domestic violence • Countywide Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) and active partnerships with domestic violence victim advocates • Specialized domestic violence training for patrol officers, first responders, and domestic violence investigators • Use of a field-based lethality risk assessment tool by patrol officers and first responders • Data collection and tracking system
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Demonstrate their commitment to addressing domestic violence adequately by having fully functional domestic violence units that focus on response, investigations, follow-up, tracking and collection of comprehensive domestic violence data.
F2:
Not all law enforcement departments in Sacramento County participate in active partnerships among police, prosecutors, victim advocates, social service agencies, and community organizations to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Establish partnerships with domestic violence advocacy groups and provide comprehensive domestic violence specialized training for all patrol officers and detectives.
F3:
Coordinated and accessible domestic violence services for victims and their families have been proven to be most effective.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Develop, expand, and support the use of domestic violence victim advocates in law enforcement domestic violence calls and field investigations.
F4:
The comprehensive and coordinated approaches to domestic violence found at both Citrus Heights Police Department and Elk Grove Police Department are model programs that protect victims and create safer communities. 46
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Use a field-based lethality risk assessment tool.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R5:
Evaluate the effectiveness of a Family Justice Center or similar models. 47
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
There is little accountability or administrative control of fire permit cards.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The District should develop written policies and procedures for issuing, completing and tracking fire permit cards, including sequential numbers printed on the cards.
F2:
There is no written procedure for communication or coordination between the building departments and the Fire Inspectors about a passing fire inspection.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The District should develop a written procedure to notify the appropriate building department of the final fire inspection approval.
F3:
Supervising Fire Inspectors do not make scheduled or unannounced field reviews of inspectors’ work after the initial probation period unless there is a question by the inspector or a complaint is filed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Supervising Fire Inspectors should conduct regularly scheduled and unannounced field inspections and evaluations of the Fire Inspectors.
F4:
There is no formal written procedure for Fire Inspectors to report any offer of gratuities or bribes by property owners or contractors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The District should develop a written policy and procedure to identify and report conflicts of interest and potential bribery situations.
F5:
There is no ongoing periodic or refresher ethics training for Fire Inspectors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The District should implement periodic ethics training for all Fire Inspectors and Supervising Fire Inspectors.
F6:
Fire Inspectors and Supervising Fire Inspectors are not required to complete FPPC Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest) to identify and report potential conflicts of interest.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
Fire Inspectors and Supervising Fire Inspectors should complete the FPPC Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest).
F7:
A Fire Inspector’s continuous assignment to the same geographic area may lead to inspection irregularities. 60
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The District should consider negotiating a geographic assignment rotation program for Fire Inspectors.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
Inmates who need mental health services are at an increased risk for re-incarceration and/or psychiatric hospitalization if they are not linked to community mental health services during the critical 24-72 hours after release.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Expand collaborative efforts to minimize the numbers of mentally ill inmates who are released during hours when services are not available. Key participants are: • Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office • Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services • Sacramento County Superior Court • Sacramento County Probation Department • Sacramento Police Department
F2:
Mentally ill inmates released during non-business hours and at night when they cannot access services are more at risk for recidivism and exacerbation of mental health symptoms.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Explore the possibility of a transition resource center near the jail where released inmates can connect with service providers, including Triage Navigators, especially after normal business hours.
F3:
The Mail Jail data system does not flag those inmates who received mental health services during incarceration.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Revise the tracking system to incorporate the actual numbers of mentally ill inmates in the system, services provided, and the effectiveness of Triage Navigator services upon release. 54
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The Trustee acted contrary to conflict of interest laws, by voting and/or participating in Twin Rivers Unified School District Board of Trustee (TRUSD Board) and Highlands Community Charter & Technical Schools Board of Directors (HCCTS Board) discussions and entering into a contract in which the Trustee had an alleged financial interest.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Twin Rivers Unified School District Board of Trustee (TRUSD Board) should ensure that no trustee serves as a representative on any board or TRUSD Board position/office where there is a potential conflict of interest.
F2:
The TRUSD Board failed to provide clear direction and oversight regarding the duties and responsibilities of a trustee appointed to represent the TRUSD Board on the HCCTS Board.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The TRUSD Board President and Superintendent should ensure that board members receive training every two years on conflict of interest laws and that this training occur immediately for all new board members. All trainings should be documented in records maintained by TRUSD Board.
F3:
The TRUSD Board violated public trust by inadequately addressing the allegation of conflict of interest on the part of a Trustee.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The TRUSD Board President and Superintendent should review Board policy and bylaws and make necessary changes to clearly specify the authority and responsibilities involved when the Board appoints a Board representative to a charter board of directors.
F4:
The TRUSD Superintendent failed to take actions needed for the TRUSD Board to clarify and adhere to Board policy regarding conflict of interest laws pertaining to public officials. 38
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