Audit of Sex Related Crimes
Board of Commissioners July 20, 2023
Background
July 2022 - Community members express concern over handling of sexual assault cases
August 2022 - City hires Daigle Law Group to conduct audit of these investigations
October 2022 - DA establishes and PD implements new protocol for sexual assault investigations
February 2023 - Church named interim police chief
May 2023 - Church named police chief; rounds out command staff
May 2023 - Staff attorney hired to begin review of policies and procedures
June 2023 - $100K additional budgeted for training; $50K for RMS; $50K for CAC
July 2023 - City receives Daigle report
Timeline
This week
Tuesday • Released document on City website
• Media briefing •
Meeting with citizen group
Thursday • Report to Commission
Audit Methodology
Daigle Law Group (DLG) Process
• Review of more than 325 sexual assault cases
• Cases from Jan. 2018-Dec. 2022 including reports, transcripts, and videos
• On-site visit by DLG in Dec. 2022
• Process included secure portal for anonymous community input
Key Takeaways
Important to note …
• No willful intent, corruption, or illegal activity
• Records management most significant deficiency
• Much opportunity for improvement
• DA sexual assault protocol addresses many areas
Findings and Responsive Actions
Finding 1
Records Management System (RMS) is inadequate.
Goal Action Step Status
Budgeted funding for RMS $50k approved by Commission in FY24 budget
Complete Implement consolidated RMS Staff evaluating various records management systems
Acquisition and implementation to be complete no later than January 2024
Finding 2
Sexual assault investigations had material deficiencies.
Goal Action Step
Status
Implement DA protocol Protocol was implemented in October 2022; checklist being updated to include support services
Provide training to responding officers and investigators
Audit 10% (no fewer than 5) sexual assault files monthly by Office of Professional Standards for quality assurance purposes
Staff evaluating best source(s) for training
Complete
Files are currently reviewed by supervisors; Office of Professional Standards will perform additional audits for another layer of quality control
Ongoing (schedule to be provided in next update)
Beginning August 2023 and ongoing
Goal
Utilize victim services to provide victim-centered response checklist
Finding 3
Cross-reference current policies and procedures (GOs) with recommended practices outlined under 3f on audit page 38
Action Step
The Family Justice Center providing 24/7 space for comfortable interviews; JCPD will have a checklist and list of resources such as victim advocates to contact
Status
Complete by August 2023
Train officers to perform victimcentered investigations with empathy and compassion
Staff attorney reviewing GOs to ensure they include audit recommendations
Complete by October 2023
Staff evaluating best source(s) for training
Ongoing (schedule to be provided in the next update)
Sexual assault investigations were inconsistent, ineffective, and incomplete.
Finding 4
Process of closing sexual assault investigations was flawed and inaccurate.
Goal
Action Step Status
Provide supervisory oversight to ensure cases are closed accurately and in the proper manner; hold supervisors and command staff accountable for the manner in which cases are closed
Files are currently reviewed by supervisors; Office of Professional Standards will perform additional audits for another layer of quality control
Beginning August 2023 and ongoing
Finding 5
All complaints of misconduct should be investigated in a timely manner.
Goal
Action Step
Status
Complaints of misconduct will be investigated in a timely manner and in accordance with GOs and accreditation standards
JCPD GOs will be revised to reflect these recommendations
Complete by September 2023
Goal
Finding 6
Provide supervisory oversight to ensure cases are investigated properly and closed accurately; hold supervisors and command staff accountable for the manner in which cases are closed; oversight will include reviews of case files, recorded interviews, and victim/advocate feedback
Action Step Status
Files are currently reviewed by supervisors; Office of Professional Standards will perform additional audits for another layer of quality control
Beginning August 2023 and ongoing
Supervision was insufficient to ensure thorough sexual assault investigations.
Finding 7
Policies and procedures did not meet industry standards and requirements.
Goal
Continue to work with DA office and accrediting agencies to make JCPD the model PD for region
Policies and procedures will be cross-referenced with best practices and key topics outlined on audit pages 39 and 40
Action Step
Protocol was implemented in October 2022; checklist being updated to include support services
JCPD GOs will be rewritten to reflect these recommendations
Status
Ongoing
Complete by October 2023
Finding 8
Goal Action Step
Train supervisors who oversee officers responding to sexual assault cases in the nuances of investigation procedures to include identifying any biases
Incorporate new or revised policies into ongoing and annual in-service training
Status
Staff evaluating best source(s) for training Ongoing (schedule to be provided in the next update)
Training will be evaluated to ensure competency in personnel; methods to gauge competency may include testing, personal observation, and internal audit processes
JCPD required to obtain 40 hours of in-service (POST) training per year; command staff evaluating training specific to responding and processing sexual assault cases as part of ongoing training in addition to supplemental training
Ongoing
Staff evaluating best source(s) for training Ongoing (schedule to be provided in the next update)
Training was insufficient for effective, unbiased sexual assault investigations.
Important to note …
• No willful intent, corruption, or illegal activity
• Records management most significant deficiency
• Much opportunity for improvement
• DA sexual assault protocol addresses many areas
Thank you
