Report 2012-107 Recommendation 4 Responses

Report 2012-107: Developmental Centers: Poor-Quality Investigations, Outdated Policies, Leadership and Staffing Problems, and Untimely Licensing Reviews Put Residents at Risk (Release Date: July 2013)

Recommendation #4 To: Developmental Services, Department of

OPS should provide additional training to its law enforcement personnel on how to conduct an initial incident investigation, particularly regarding collection of written declarations and photographs of alleged victims following an incident.

6-Month Agency Response

DDS supports the need for additional specialized training for its law enforcement officers. The new OPS Chief established a formal training plan in November 2013 to ensure all uniformed OPS personnel receive initial and ongoing training in all aspects of their jobs. Priority has been given to the areas noted in the audit, and specific subject matter in those areas is included in the curricula.

From May 1 through November 30, 2013, OPS personnel have attended 416 individual training sessions related to Child Abuse Investigations, Sexual Assault Investigations, Core Investigations Courses, Homicide Investigations, Property and Evidence Room Training, Interview and Interrogation, Internal Affairs Investigations, Background Investigations, Team Approach to Child Abuse Investigations, Supervisory Course, and other law enforcement-specific subjects. An additional 160 sessions are scheduled in the coming months. As an ongoing responsibility, training needs will be regularly reviewed, and ongoing training will be provided.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

DDS is implementing this recommendation and supports the need for additional specialized training for its law enforcement officers. The new Chief of OPS will have a formal training plan by September 30, 2013, to ensure officers receive initial and ongoing training in all aspects of their jobs. Prioritization will be given to areas noted in the audit.

In May 2013, a comprehensive course on "Conducting Serious Incident Investigations" was provided to OPS investigators representing all developmental centers, including all investigators at Sonoma.

Additionally, since May 1, 2013 OPS personnel have attended 165 individual training sessions related to Child Abuse Investigations; Sexual Assault Investigations; Core Investigations Course; Homicide Investigations; Property and Evidence Room Training; Interview and Interrogation; Internal Affairs Investigations; Background Investigations; Team Approach to Child Abuse Investigations; Supervisory Course; and other Law Enforcement specific subjects. An additional 101 sessions are scheduled in the coming months.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2012-107

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.