Title
Receive an oral update of Criminal Justice System efforts within Monterey County. (Board Referral No. 7)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors:
Receive an oral update of Criminal Justice System efforts within Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Advocacy of the CAO has coordinated with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, District Attorney and Public Defender’s Office in response to the Board Referral: Presentation on Criminal Justice System efforts within Monterey County.
Criminal Justice System Efforts within Monterey County:
As recent events across the nation have heightened awareness of a need to provide consistent and adequate support and training to our law enforcement professionals, Monterey County law enforcement agencies are diligent about ensuring they have access to the resources they need to use force appropriately, deescalate intense situations, document and act on allegations of bias, process PTSD, engage with constituents with mental illness, and maintain productive dialogue with the community.
Each of the aforementioned County law enforcement agencies will present on the specific administrative policies that ensure appropriate use of force, prevent discrimination and harassment, prevent racial or bias-based profiling and increase cultural competency when working with the public. The presentation will also provide details on agency practices for processing and documenting personnel complaints, citizen complaint procedures and officer involved shooting investigations. Agency procedures for addressing the mental and emotional health needs of law enforcement professionals in light of exposure to trauma and incidences of violence will also be shared.
Additionally, the presentation will share of the various and continuous opportunities each agency has created for meaningful community engagement. Each agency holds representation on community based council, commissions and coalitions where continuous interaction with community members and advocates inform and assist the agencies with maintaining awareness of community needs and concerns. This practice is in addition to open door policies and protocols for processing individual or independent citizen complaints and concerns.
Further details of required trainings for use of force, critical incident debriefing and crisis intervention for adequate de-escalation and policing in the community, will be provided in the presentation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department and Sheriff’s Department.
FINANCING: Accepting this oral report has no impact on the County General Fund Contribution at this time.
Prepared by: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Manny González, Assistant CAO
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Manny González, Assistant CAO Date