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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 06271989 - 2.1 a. i THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on June 27, 1989 by the following vote: AYES: j Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ABSTAIN: ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Sheriff-Marshal Consolidation Status Report I Rodger L. Davis, Assistant Sheriff, Court Services Division, presented the attached report relative to security improvements in the Superior Court Buildings. Sheriff Davis advised that the reorganization of the Marshal' s Office as a result of theconsolidation with the Sheriff ' s Office has been accomplished in a positive manner. IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the report on the Sheriff-Marshall consolidation is ACCEPTED. cc: Sheriff Superior Court Administrator Municipal Court Administrator t hereby certify that this Is a true end correct copy of County Administrator an action taken rnd entered or. the minutes of the Board of Supe re on the date shown. ATTESTED: -7. /q�g PHI ATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and county Administrator BY —— "_ Deputy I! I Sheriff Coroner Richard K. Rainey Contra CioSta County SHERIFF-CORONER Warren E.Rupt P.O. BOX 391 Assislant'Sheriff Martinez, California 94553-0039 (415) 646- 52189 Gerald T.Mitosinka Assistant Sheriff To: Richd K. Rainey, Sheriff Date: March 22 , 1989 Rodger L.Davis Assistant Sheriff From: Rodger L. rav s, Assistant Sheriff Subject: Superior Court Court Services Division Since the merger of the Marshal' s Department and the Sheriff ' s Department, the following progress has been made relative to the tightening of security, and security awareness in the Superior Court Buildings. i *! You immediately assigned the responsibility for security in the County court facilities to me. This includes, but is not limited to, the establishment of a safe environment, the prevention of criminal activity, and preparation for fire, ; bomb, hostage, earthquake, and medical emergencies. i • As you are aware, the merger legislation enacted in 1988 (A.B. 3014) provided for a committee of judges with authority over, and responsibility for the Court Services Division of the Sheriff ' s Department. This Court Services i Oversight Committee is now in place. i i Each court administrator has been advised that I have been asked by the Oversight Committee to involve myself in the planning of all architectural changes with court buildings. i to A court security office has been established on the ground floor of the old Superior Court Building. The sergeant assigned to this office is responsible for. coordinating support services to the superior court bailiffs; i.e. , transportation of inmates from MDF to court, extra security on an as needed basis, search teams for specific courts, and security patrols of all public areas in the Superior Court iBuildings. I • The sergeant assigned to superior court has responsibility for bailiff and security staffing, emergency procedures, and training of all judges, referees, clerks, court reporters, and all other tenants of the court buildings. I i � AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER I Sheriff Rainey 3-22=89 Page 2 • Since the establishment of the Court Security Office, an increasing public awareness has resulted-in a growing number of individuals coming to the office requesting escort or to be allowed to use a "safe room" due to concerns for potential violence in their case. I • �A security survey of all court facilities has been completed, and recommendations for improvements have been !submitted as part' of the budget process. * 'Bailiffs and transportation officers in all court facilities ;patrol public areas when not otherwise assigned. I * : Signs notifying visitors that they are subject to search : have been installed on the doors of all courtrooms. i *! Occasional random searches are conducted utilizing portable walk-through metal detectors purchased in FY 1988/89 in ianticipation of approval of the Mobile Search Team concept and necessary staffing. This equipment is currently lutilized only upon specific order of a judge, and then by untrained staff on an overtime basis. • Facility sergeants hold monthly meetings with staff to i discuss training, intelligence, and security strategy. 0 Consistent with Government Code Section 26625 , a bailiff/court security course is being developed in cooperation with Los Medanos College and is expected to be in place for the Fall Semester of 1989 . • It is anticipated that not later than October, 1989 , court bailiffs will be conducting regular emergency drills for bomb, hostage, building evacuation, and similiar events. i !• A number of locations have been identified as "safe rooms" I in the Superior Court Complex. We have advised Court Services Division personnel of the location of these rooms and of their appropriate use. For obvious security reasons, these rooms will not be identified for public information. i Sheriff Rainey 3-22-89 Page 3 • ITo reduce the distance and length of time incustody people : are transported in the open from the Main Detention Facility ' to the old Superior Court Building, the security tunnel in , the A. F. Bray Building is utilized. i • Each bailiff has been issued a hand-held searching' wand to ! be utilized on an as-needed basis. •. A "Bench Book," which is a security book designed for ; judges, is currently being introduced to each judge. I� •' A Bailiff Handbook has been developed and distributed. This handbook is specific with regard to policy and procedure. Court Services Division has identified a training coordinator whose responsibilities will consist of, but are not limited to, performing security audits of facilities (on a monthly basis) ; gathering and developing security/protection recommendations for the court complexes/officers within the County; critiquing and training for high-profile/risk security needs; developing methods of intelligence gathering related to court services; developing safety seminars--presented annually--for both i sworn and civilian court personnel; developing and initiating emergency evacuation plans for each building under the control of Court Services (fire, bomb, earthquake, and hostage and response) ; presenting small blocks of instruction at judicial meetings; presenting new judges with an introduction to the court system related to security/protection, and helping to formulate the 40-hour court services class at Los Medanos College; and developing a training program for all new sworn personnel in the Court Services Division. In the juvenile courts: i i• A fulltime temporary (unfunded) deputy sheriff has been assigned to each juvenile court referee. A written job description for each bailiff and a written security plan for each site have been developed. Portable two-way radios have been issued to accommodate necessary communication. Sheriff Rainey 3-22-89 Page 4 • High-risk incustody defendants are now left in the Main Detention Facility until actually needed in court. This reduces the amount of time the public is exposed to the possibility of escape. e Security inspections of all areas of the courthouse complex have resulted in an increased awareness of probable trouble spots by all involved court and Sheriff' s Department employees. o Courtroom alarms are checked weekly and the results documented by the court bailiff. 0 Intelligence briefing of judges and court staff are held on a regular basis. i • ;An enclosed drive-thru sallyport tieing the Delta Court to ;the Pittsburg Jail is under construction. This will reduce the opportunity for escape significantly. i *; The arraignment courtroom at Bay Court is being remodeled to ; reduce the risk of escape. RLD'/j j c i I i I I i I i I