Mendocino County's grand jury lauds Ukiah Police Department

Excellence, personified'
Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated: 05/26/2009 12:26:00 AM PDT

County's grand jury lauds Ukiah Police Department


The Mendocino County Grand jury has issued a report on the Ukiah Police Department which finds the city's law enforcement officers "professional and up to the task."

In fact, the grand jury titled its report "Excellence Personified."

Under Police Chief Chris Dewey, the grand jury said, the department:

has significantly upgraded its evidence room to a state-of-the-art facility;

is providing a School Resource Officer (SRO) to maintain a law enforcement presence at Ukiah High School and implement drug and gang intervention programs;

is collaborating with the Sheriff's department to establish a grant-funded K-9 corps;

works with Project Sanctuary to improve response to domestic violence incidents;

reinstituted the annual report to the community.

"The Department is currently focused on identifying alternative resources to replace state funding that will soon end for booking and forensics," the report notes. "The new Chief is emphasizing local recruiting to fill four currently vacant positions for sworn officers."

According to the report, the grand jury visited the UPD facility, evidence and training rooms, interviewed personnel, and reviewed pertinent documents.

Among their findings, the grand jury notes that:

The school resource officer sees marijuana and alcohol abuse as the biggest problems among high school students at Ukiah High, and that student affiliation with rival gangs is a "significant concern" at UHS.

If a non-English speaker calls 911, they are immediately transferred to a communications center where a language specialist transfers them to the correct interpreter.

The UPD currently has no service dogs. The UPD and Sheriff's office have received a total of $100,000 from Homeland Security funds to purchase two dogs, special cars, equipment and training for the officers and the dogs. The officers and their dogs will attend two months of specialized training. Each dog will cost between $8,000 and $10,000. An officer has to make a commitment of three to five years to work in this position.

There is an active bicycle law enforcement and safety awareness program. UPD issued 295 warnings and two citations during the past year. Violator's names are taken and logged. The warnings were for bicycle safety and failure to wear helmets.

The UPD sponsors an Explorers program to introduce young adults, ages 18-20, to law enforcement professions.

State funding for forensics and bookings is scheduled to end this year. UPD is seeking alternative funding sources.

The UPD annual report that had been discontinued is being produced again and distributed to the community. Copies are available at the UPD.

There are four openings for sworn officers.

Among its recommendations, the grand jury would like to see more training for officers assigned to the high school, more tickets for people violating bicycle laws, a second drug sniffing dog, and that the search for funds for forensics and bookings programs be given higher priority.

In its discussion of the department the grand jury was quick to note that, "Jurors appreciated the cooperation of the Chief and found department staff professional and informative. The jurors were also impressed with the information provided and the enthusiasm shown about reinstitution of the K-9 unit.

"The policy of involving Project Sanctuary workers in domestic violence calls has proven to be of real value to victims. The grand jury commends the Chief for this effective collaboration with an important community agency.

"The grand jury was also very pleased that the UPD annual report is being produced again and would like to see this continued.

"Jurors further commend the Chief for focusing on local recruitment to fill openings."

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_12449144