The Lake County Grand Jury is recommending that the Clearlake Police Department should have its own 911-dispatch center. The Clearlake City Council is required to respond to its findings within 60 days from the release of the report.
Asked if the city had figures for the cost of a dispatch center, “They”re doing part of that now,” said Police Chief Allan McClain. “Our equipment will need to be updated and we will require at least two additional (full-time) people.” McClain estimated it would cost at least several hundred dollars to upgrade telephone and computer systems.
The 2006-2007 Lake County Grand Jury has released its final report concerning oversight of local government. Its Public Safety Committee conducts an annual inspection of the CPD facility, policies and procedures.
The interim chief and sergeant guided the PSC on an inspection of the building, explaining various divisions of the department. Areas observed by the committee included the dispatch room, interrogation area, evidence room and holding cells.
Among PSC findings, there were 3,962 written reports and more than 23,000 incidents for the Year 2006.
The PSC noted that 911 calls are routed through Lake County Sheriff”s Dispatch and that delays are created by not having 911 calls come directly to Clearlake.
The PSC recommended that with Clearlake having the largest population in Lake County, it should have its own 911-dispatch center. The PSC acknowledged it was aware that there would be substantial cost involved.
To alleviate delays in quick identification, the PSC also recommended investing in Livescan fingerprinting equipment.
Among other findings by the grand jury”s PSC:
* The CPD has a staff of 27 sworn officers and one administrator. At the time of the inspection, the interim chief was trying to fill one captain position, two lieutenant positions plus several lesser positions. The PSC noted that a permanent chief of police had been hired by the city council.
* Adults arrested are pre-booked, fingerprinted and transported during the day to the county jail in Lakeport. Juveniles arrested are transported immediately to juvenile hall.
* Department procedures are currently being restructured.
* All areas of the department visited were clean and secure.
The PSC noted that the interim chief was planning to revamp the community patrol into Volunteers in Policing and to make it into a more proactive auxiliary of the CPD. McClain recently swore in the first wave of VIPs and is currently welcoming applications for additional volunteers.
For more information or to request an application be mailed, please contact Records and Communications Supervisor Nicole Newton, at 994-8251. VIP applications are also available in the police department lobby.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
