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Home My WebLink About072120-05.5 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 5.5 TO: Mayor and Town Council July 21, 2020 SUBJECT: Authorize Town response to Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing” BACKGROUND The California Penal Code (“CPC”) provides for the formation of civil grand juries in each county. With respect to public agencies, grand juries are authorized to “investigate and report upon the operations, accounts and records of the officers, departments, functions, and the method or systems of performing the duties of any such city or joint powers agency and make such recommendations as it may deem proper and fit” (CPC Section 925a). Within 90 days after the grand jury submits a report regarding the operations of any public agency, the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body (CPC Section 933). In 2019/20, the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury investigated factors affecting police staffing in the County and the resulting impact on police services and personnel. The Grand Jury compared staffing levels of sworn officers in each department to County and State averages. The Grand Jury also investigated the challenges of recruiting, hiring, and retaining officers. The Civil Grand Jury’s findings and recommendations are outlined in the Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing” (Attachment A), which requires responses from all 19 cities/towns in Contra Costa County, and Contra Costa unincorporated areas. DISCUSSION As required by the California Penal Code, a draft Response to Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing” (Attachment B) is hereby submitted for the Town Council’s consideration. Upon review and concurrence of the Town Council, these responses will be filed with Judge Anita Santos of the Contra Costa County Superior Court. PUBLIC CONTACT Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. FISCAL IMPACT Staff time required to respond to Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing” referenced herein. RECOMMENDATION Authorize Town Response to Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing.” Prepared by: Diane Friedmann Assistant to the Town Manager Reviewed by: Joseph Calabrigo Town Manager Attachments: A - Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Staffing Levels” B - Draft Response to Grand Jury Report No. 2004 ATTACHMENT A “Small Town Atmosphere Outstanding Quality of Life” 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 Honorable Anita Santos Judge of the Superior Court Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury 725 Court Street P.O. Box 431 Martinez, CA 94553-0091 Re: Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing” Dear Judge Santos: Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933.05, this letter responds to Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report No. 2004, “Police Department Staffing.” This response was reviewed and authorized by the Town Council at a duly noticed Town Council meeting on July 21, 2020. Grand Jury Findings Finding #1: Low officer staffing ratios and/or unfilled officer positions present challenges in maintaining police services. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #1. Finding #2: 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. Finding #3: 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. ATTACHMENT B July 21, 2020 Page 2 Finding #4: Mandatory overtime can lead to officer stress, which creates retention challenges. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #4. Finding #5: 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. Finding #6: 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. Finding #7: Negative perceptions of policing and the availability of less dangerous job opportunities contribute to fewer applicants. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #7. Finding #9: The process of hiring and training new officers takes an extensive amount of time and resources to complete. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #9. Finding #11: 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. Finding #12: Recruits and young officers have different expectations than in the past regarding work/life balance. Response: Danville agrees with Finding #12. Finding #13: 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 Page 3 Finding #14: 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 Recommendation #3: 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 hir ing 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. Recommendation #4: 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. Recommendation #5: 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- July 21, 2020 Page 4 hire officer positions officer positions as a strategy for keeping the department fully staffed, 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. 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