Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated: 09/08/2009 12:00:47 AM PDT
Ukiah Police Department passed Mendocino County Grand Jury's inspection with a 2009 grand jury report titled Excellence Personified -- Ukiah Police Chief and His Finest Are To Be Commended," earlier this year.
Although it reviewed UPD favorably, the grand jury did make requests and suggestions when UPD Chief Chris Dewey, Ukiah High School and city government responded in writing to the report.
The grand jury noted that UPD upgraded its evidence room, provided a officer to Ukiah High School to implement drug and gang intervention programs, works with Project Sanctuary and is back to issuing an annual report.
UHS Principal Dennis Willeford wrote in his response that there was a special parking spot for the UPD officer (School Resource Officer) policing the UHS campus. The grand jury had requested that a special parking spot for the officer be designated.
"We have dedicated the number one space in the second row of our staff parking to our SRO. This space is highly visible to all students as they enter and leave from the front of the school and is adjacent to the Administration building. A sign clearly marks the parking space," Willeford's response stated.
Willeford noted in his response that the old parking spot was painted over in blue for special needs parking as mandated by the American Disabilities Act.
Chris Dewey explained in his written response that although the UHS officer does not have specialized school training, only veteran officers get the duty.
Dewey noted that although the current officer does not have training, SRO's are sent to SRO courses, Active Shooter on Campus Training and emergency management, his response stated.
The grand jury also noted that Ukiah Police Department had Homeland Security money for a police dog. Dewey stated that both his office and the Sheriff's Office received Homeland Security money for a bomb-detecting fog program.
But both departments could pay for keeping a bomb-dog program running after it was started. Dewey stated that the money will now be used for developing a five-year-plan to protect the county from bombs. As part of the five-year-plan, local SWAT team members would get bomb-detection training.
In the months since the grand jury toured UPD headquarters one parking resource officer position and four job opening for officers were eliminated.
The grand jury also asked that UPD continue searching for forensics funding and booking programs be a top priority. "Currently, the State of California has not yet decided on how forensics services will be provided. The department is currently researching cost alternatives of the Senate decides to charge for these services, and policy changes to determine what evidence will be sent to forensic laboratories," Dewey stated.
Increased effort to cite bicycling violations was another request made by the grand jury in its recommendations. As time allows, Dewey said UPD is increasing bicycle enforcement.
New UPD members have received additional training in this area, and patrol staff has the expectation to handle both vehicle and bicycle violations.
In the past year UPD issued 295 warnings and two citations for bicycle safety and not wearing helmets. UPD also has an Explorers program for young adults 18 to 20-years-old.
Dewey said in his response that Explorer participation has doubled and boys and men and women are involved. Responses from City Manager Jane Chambers and the City Council were the same as what UPD wrote.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_13289786
No comments:
Post a Comment