Report 2015-129 Recommendation 3 Responses

Report 2015-129: King City Police Department: Strengthening Management Practices Would Help Its Efforts to Prevent Officer Misconduct and to Regain the Public's Trust (Release Date: July 2016)

Recommendation #3 To: King City

To provide for a more comprehensive review of complaints and to ensure that the public is aware of the Department's willingness to receive complaints in an open manner, the Department should perform outreach by December 2016, such as through informal surveys, to identify potentially unreported complaints.

1-Year Agency Response

In addition to the community outreach items identified in the prior report, the Police Department conducted a community-wide survey funded through a grant in partnership with the other three South Monterey County cities. The survey was provided in English and Spanish and sent to every household, as well as made available on the City's and the Police Department's website. A follow-up survey will be distributed next year to assess progress. A copy of the survey is provided as Exhibit 1.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

6-Month Agency Response

The Police Chief has been conducting a number of public outreach efforts, including speaking at local churches and service clubs, meetings with community representatives, meetings with an informal group of Latino community leaders, and establishment of a "Coffee With a Cop" program. In addition, arrangements have been made to increase participation by Police Officers at youth and other community activities. Several public outreach goals have been established for the next several months, including establishment of a Police Advisory Committee, a District Watch Program, a Citizens' Police Academy, a Police Explorer and PAL program, and increased foot patrol. Funds from a grant in partnership with other South Monterey County cities are being used to establish a "scorecard", which will enable the Police Department to monitor and track the level of community interactions and outreach activities.

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

Through its public outreach efforts, the Department may identify potentially unreported complaints. We look forward to seeing the results of the Department's efforts to survey the public.

60-Day Agency Response

The City recently received a 4 Cities United grant in conjunction with the other Salinas Valley cities. A portion of this grant will provide funding specifically for outreach, an informal survey and development of a departmental "scorecard." Planning meetings are under way in conjunction with the other cities.

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

All Recommendations in 2015-129

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.