The URL can be used to link to this page

2015 FCSO Year End ReportFresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office 2015 Annual Report FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Margaret Mims Sheriff/Coroner Steve McComas Captain Greg Gularte Captain Jennifer Horton Captain Robert Kandarian Assistant Sheriff Ron Vega Captain John Zanoni Captain Steve Forker Administrative Services Director Steve Wilkins Undersheriff Tom Gattie Assistant Sheriff FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 2 As Sheriff of Fresno County it is my pleasure to provide this 2015 Annual Report. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is a large, complex organization. This report gives a brief overview of our various responsibilities and the current initiatives we are working on. On the following pages you will be able to see the steady decline in crime rates for the past few years until 2015. This one-year increase is consistent with law enforcement agencies statewide. I believe the single most impactful cause is Proposition 47, which became effective in November 2014. This proposition changed several felony offenses to misdemeanors, which severely limited the likelihood of drug offenders to seek treatment for addictions leading to more serious violations of the law. We will continue to respond to all calls related to criminal activity in Fresno County, but give you the option of making an on-line report for certain crimes. Responding to calls is when we start solving crimes; we will not refuse to take a crime report by telling you that you must report online. This is part of our dedication to our citizens—that when you need us we will respond. This is in furtherance of our philosophy of Community Oriented Policing, where we work with our citizens to problem-solve on criminal and quality of life issues. Community Policing stresses prevention, early identification and timely interventions to deal with issues before they become major problems. It is a philosophy, not a program and it is not the responsibility of a specialty team or unit. Community Policing is a value system which must permeate the entire agency. The primary goal is working cooper- atively with individual citizens, groups and organizations to identify crime and quality of life issues. We recognize that law enforcement cannot effectively deal with these issues alone and must partner with our communities to achieve results. Fresno County Sheriff personnel are all encouraged to develop and maintain relationships with citizens, businesses, schools and community organizations. In addition to this report, I encourage you to go to our excellent public website www.fresnosheriff.org. On the website you can: SHERIFF’S MESSAGE • Access crime updates • Get scam alerts • Obtain inmate information • Register for notifications if crimes occur in your neighborhood • Get instructions and forms to apply for a Concealed Weapons Permit • Learn what to do if there is workplace/school violence such as an active shooter • Know how to talk to your kids about sexual abuse • Access optional on-line reporting FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3 The focus of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is to provide quality law enforcement and corrections services. Our mission statement and values reflect what Sir Robert Peel envisioned over 180 years ago. Peel is identified as the father of modern policing and set forth what is known as “Peelian Principles” that are still valid today. These principles are: • The purpose of the police force is to prevent crime and maintain order. • Police depend on the approval and trust of the public in order to effectively do their jobs. • The ultimate goal of policing is to achieve voluntary compliance with the law in the community. • Police must be unwavering in their duties and adherence to the law, maintaining impartiality and avoiding the temptation to be swayed by public opinion. • The use of force and physical control is to be used only as necessary. • Police officers must remember that they, too, are members of the public and that their purpose is to serve and protect the public. • The true measure of the effectiveness of any police force is not the number of arrests or police actions taken, but the absence of criminal conduct and violations of the law. With these principles in mind, we proudly serve you. Join us and become our crime fighting partners, and together we can continue to make Fresno County a safe place to live, work and raise our families. Sincerely, Margaret Mims Sheriff-Coroner Margaret Mims FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 4 On July 31, 2015, a fire started near Rough Ridge. It quickly spread out of control due to the prolonged drought conditions and extensive beetle damage in the area over the last five years. Nearly three weeks later, more than 23,000 acres had burned and was threatening the community of Hume Lake. Through cooperative pre-planning efforts with the Hume Lake Fire & Rescue Company, the Fresno Sheriff-Coroner’s Office was able to successfully evac- uate over 2,500 people without incident or injury in less than three hours. At 151,623 acres, the Rough Fire is the 13th largest fire in modern California history and the largest fire in Fresno County history. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office issued a number of evacuation warnings, which eventually resulted in evacuation orders for several communities being threatened. Pre-planning through multiple community meetings; good communication through social media, standard media TV and radio channels; as well as flyers posted at local businesses helped get the message out to the public of the status of the fire. It was instrumental in the success of the safety of the communities impacted by the fire. Numerous agencies worked together to successfully manage the fire, including: the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, PG&E, Red Cross and the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services. A variety of federal incident management teams, along with state and local fire teams, worked together to successfully manage the fire, which resulted in the evacuation of almost 5,000 people and the loss of only four structures. The fire was declared fully contained on October 9, 2015. ROUGH FIRE The Rough Fire approaching the Upper Kings River.Cal-Fire aircraft dropping fire retardant on the Rough Fire. A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane using its snorkel to take much needed water from Hume Lake to help firefighting efforts. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 5 For 12 days in August of 2015, the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Search and Rescue team conducted one of the longest and most difficult search operations in recent history. Miyuki Harwood Search During that time the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office searched for hiker Miyuki Harwood, who was miss- ing in a rugged portion of eastern Fresno County. The area of the search was on the northern edge of the Rough Fire and included mountain peaks over 12,500 feet in elevation. Smoke from the Rough Fire made search conditions difficult and prevented most air operations. Without the ability to fly, many searchers had to hike over 20 miles to get to the search area. Field searchers established a camp at Horsehead Lake, where some remained for up to six days at a time while searching for Harwood. Resupply into Horsehead Lake of consumables such as food, batteries and cook stove fuel was difficult due to the aircraft’s inability to fly in the smoke. Through- out the search, Horsehead Lake maintained a daily population of 30 to 60 searchers. Through California’s Mutual Aid system, many different resources from throughout the state as- sisted on this search. The California National Guard provided helicopters during times when the smoke cleared, and the United States Air Force contributed a remotely piloted aircraft to the effort. Over 180 different Search and Rescue professionals from 20 different agencies assisted on this search. On the tenth day of the mission, searchers located Miyuki Harwood alive and severely injured. The story of this mission and her survival garnered international attention. Perseverance on the part of both Harwood and the searchers created this successful ending with a life saved. HARWOOD SEARCH & RESCUE FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 6 Aerial view of the Harwood operation search area. Morning Search & Rescue briefing at the Wishon Reservoir. A Fresno County Search & Rescue Deputy searching a boulder field for Miyuki Harwood. A Fresno County Search & Rescue Deputy searching an area near Guest Lake. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 7 PATROLBUREAU AREA 1 AREA 2 AREA 3 AREA 4 AREA 3 AREA 1 AREA 2 DOS PALOS FIREBAUGH MENDOTA TRANQUILITY KERMAN BIOLA FRESNO RAISIN CITY EASTON SELMA SANGER PRATHER SHAVER AUBERRY REEDLEY KINGSBURG ORANGE COVE SQUAW VALLEY DEL REY PARLIER CARUTHERS RIVERDALE LATON FOWLERSAN JOAQUIN CANTUA CREEK HURON 0 5 10 20 30 40miles COALINGA P31 P21 P41 P11 N41 N51 N31 N21 N11 K31 K11 K21 K41 L11 L31 L41L21 L51 HUNTINGTON FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF AREAS AND BEATS AREA 4 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 8 Area 1 Headquarters Area 1 encompasses 2,393 square miles of rural area in western Fresno County. Lieutenant Kathy Curtice is the Area 1 Commander, with six sergeants, 28 deputies and two community service officers working there. This area is bounded by five different counties, contains six in- corporated cities and is home to 63 miles of Highway I-5. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office provides contracted law enforcement services to the City of San Joaquin. 2015 brought the continuation of record drought levels throughout the area, thus an increase in unemployment. Many portions of Area 1 have seen large fields of solar generating power facilities replace drought fallowed agricultural land. The first eviction process involving a large Fresno County homeless encampment was completed in Area 1 during 2015. Pursuant to a court order, deputies worked in conjunction with the landowner to complete the eviction process in a safe and humanitarian manner. Area 2 Headquarters Lt. Frances Devins is the Area 2 Commander, which encompasses a metropolitan patrol area of 327 square miles. Lt. Devins supervises seven sergeants and 42 deputies. Area 2 is the smallest geographical patrol area, but it has the highest concentration of citizens in a primarily urban area. This dense population led Area 2 to handle over 50% of the total calls for service for the entire Patrol Bureau. Area 2 has begun feeling the effects of the homeless issue through numerous citizen complaints. Significant collaborative efforts by several county departments are being leveraged and combined to create a permanent solution for the problem rather than employ temporary relocation tactics. DOS PALOS FIREBAUGH MENDOTA TRANQUILITY KERMAN BIOLA SAN JOAQUIN CANTUA CREEK HURON COALINGA P31 P21 P41 P11 2007 - 2015 UCR Burglary, Larceny and Grand The Auto 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1713 991 3812 1735 923 3483 LarcenyGrand The AutoBurglary 1630 859 2606 1373 685 2065 1618 832 2331 1934 950 2366 1358 721 2133 1108 558 1702 1398 574 1838 2015 Area 1 Part 1 Crimes 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2015 Calls for Service: 339.508 6.4% Increase from 2014 ORANGE COVE11,370 FOWLER7,886 FSO237,210 SANGER41,916KERMAN23,413PARLIER17,713 SEARCH (24)60% RESCUE (12)30% RECOVERY (1)2% OUT OF COUNTYMUTUAL AID (3)2% 2015 SAR Missions by Type 2014 2015 2015 Area 2 Part 1 Crimes 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 2007 - 2015 UCR Burglary, Larceny and Grand The Auto 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1713 991 3812 1735 923 3483 Larceny Grand The AutoBurglary 1630 859 2606 1373 685 2065 1618 832 2331 1934 950 2366 1358 721 2133 1108 558 1702 1398 574 1838 2015 Area 1 Part 1 Crimes 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2015 Calls for Service: 339.508 6.4% Increase from 2014 ORANGE COVE11,370 FOWLER7,886 FSO237,210 SANGER41,916KERMAN23,413 PARLIER17,713 SEARCH (24)60% RESCUE (12)30% RECOVERY (1)2% OUT OF COUNTYMUTUAL AID (3)2% 2015 SAR Missions by Type 2014 2015 2015 Area 2 Part 1 Crimes 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 FRESNO L11 L31 L41L21 L51 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 9 2015 Area 3 Part 1 Crimes 500 400 300 200 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 2015 Area 4 Part 1 Crimes 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 2015 Area 3 Part 1 Crimes 500 400 300 200 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 2015 Area 4 Part 1 Crimes 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 Lieutenant Frances Devins is the Area Commander for Area 4, which encompasses a rural patrol area of 2,719 square miles of Sierra Nevada Mountains on the eastern side of Fresno County. Lieutenant Devins supervises two sergeants and 28 deputies. Prolonged record drought conditions over the last five years, coupled with abundant beetle damage to the water stressed trees created extreme fire danger through- out Area 4. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office recognized the danger this situation created for our mountain commu- nities and partnered with CAL Fire, Fresno County Office of Emergency Services, United States Forest Service, American Red Cross, California Highway Patrol and a variety of other local entities. These agencies and groups worked in collaboration to conduct frequent community meetings and educated residents on what to do in the event of a fire in their area. This education and training component also extended to the agency’s first respond- ers in order to prepare them for their role during a po- tential evacuation of the Area 4 communities. This preparation was critical in the successful evacuation of several communities during the 2015 “Rough Fire,” which was the largest fire in Fresno County history. Area 4 Headquarters Area 3 Headquarters PRATHER SHAVER AUBERRY SQUAW VALLEY K31 K11 K21 K41 HUNTINGTON RAISIN CITY EASTON SELMA SANGER REEDLEY KINGSBURG DEL REY PARLIER CARUTHERS RIVERDALE LATON FOWLER N41 N51 N31 N21 N11 Lieutenant Jose Salinas is the Area 3 Commander for the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Area 3 Substation in Selma. Area 3 encompasses a rural patrol area of 556 square miles. Lieutenant Salinas supervises seven sergeants and 37 deputies. In 2015, Area 3 saw an increase in property crimes. Most of these crimes can be attributed to the passage of Proposition 47 in November of 2014. These crimes kept our area detectives busy throughout the year. Area 3 personnel again participated in the Caruthers’s District Fair. This was the 86th annual fair, which continues to be free to the public. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office assisted in keeping the event’s tradition of community spirit and a safe environment for families to enjoy. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 10 2012 - 2015 Property and Violent Crimes by Month 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 JAN MAR MAY JUL SEP NOV 2012 JAN MAR MAY JUL SEP NOV 2013 JAN MAR MAY JUL SEP NOV 2014 JAN MAR MAY JUL SEP NOV 2015 Violent Crimes Prop. 47 Eective Date 11/5/2014 Property Crimes 2007 - 2015 UCR Burglary, Larceny and Grand The Auto 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1713 991 3812 1735 923 3483 Larceny Grand The AutoBurglary 1630 859 2606 1373 685 2065 1618 832 2331 1934 950 2366 1358 721 2133 1108 558 1702 1398 574 1838 2015 Area 1 Part 1 Crimes 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2015 Calls for Service: 339.508 6.4% Increase from 2014 ORANGE COVE11,370 FOWLER7,886 FSO237,210 SANGER41,916KERMAN23,413 PARLIER17,713 SEARCH (24)60% RESCUE (12)30% RECOVERY (1)2% OUT OF COUNTYMUTUAL AID (3)2% 2015 SAR Missions by Type 2014 2015 2015 Area 2 Part 1 Crimes 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 11 Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (M.A.G.E.C.) The Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium or M.A.G.E.C. is part of a cohesive team of law enforcement agencies that specifically target gangs and gang mem- bers with the mission of eradicating gang activity in Fresno County. The Rural Operations Team is overseen by the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office and has members from Fresno Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Clovis Police Department, and Kingsburg Police Depart- ment. The investigators from these agencies work closely with the various city, county, state and federal law en- forcement agencies to proactively contact and arrest gang violators for a variety of gang offenses. The Rural Operations Team also works in partnership with two deputy district attorneys that are assigned to M.A.G.E.C. This allows for a more efficient administration of cases from court filing, prosecution and sentencing. In 2015, the Rural Operations Team vigorously targeted high-ranking members of the most violent gangs in Fresno County. Community Services Community Service Officers (CSO) work throughout Fresno County providing specialized services to residents. These services include crime prevention, civic and community presentations, and instruction of the Ele- mentary School Safety Program. Our CSO’s routinely organize and participate in a wide variety of community and school based events. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federally funded program that provides specific alloca- tion to low income communities for additional services. Fourteen different Fresno County schools and 11 dif- ferent Fresno County communities received additional services in 2015 through this program. CSO’s provided these services in the form of community based crime prevention and education within those areas. During the summer, CSO’s staffed the Sheriff’s Activity League (S.A.L.) program in which Fresno County children Community Service Officer Elaine Montoya presents a best essay award to School West Park student. were treated to a variety of summer time activities. The S.A.L. program provided games, educational activities, off site events and a career day for neighborhood youth. The goal is to promote trust and understanding between the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office and youth in the communi- ties. In 2015, there were four S.A.L. sites in Fresno County. Our CSO’s continued to be active in the schools and communities. In 2015, they attended 55 crime preven- tion meetings, which were attended by numerous community members. The CSO’s taught at numerous elementary schools where the lessons are geared toward student safety. The CSO’s attended 21 pre-school through high school events in 2015, such as career day, safety information or various presentations. Community Service Officer Tony Casarez helping a Cantua Creek Elementary School student with his essay on gang prevention and safety. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 12 Reserve Deputy Units Criminology 108 Reserve Unit The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has been instructing the Criminology 108 (Crim 108) course for over 50 years. During this time, hundreds of this nation’s law enforce- ment officers have attended this hands-on course. The goal of the Criminology 108 program is to provide training to Fresno State Criminology students who are interested in Law Enforcement, with the ultimate ob- jective being to hire these college graduates. In May 2015, the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Reserve Acad- emy graduated 40 Crim 108 cadets and seven of those cadets were hired as full-time deputies. About 30 of the remaining cadets were hired as reserve deputies. Sher- iff-Coroner’s Office Academy began the Level III phase in September 2015, which had 67 cadets enrolled with 45 cadets completing Level III phase in December 2015. These cadets moved onto the Level II phase in Janu- ary 2016. Our highly motivated class of Explorers. Uniform Field Reserve Unit The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Uniform Field Reserves (UFR’s) maintained a roster of 25 reserve deputies throughout 2015. Some of the UFR’s were ul- timately hired as full time deputy sheriffs. The UFR Unit participated in 50 details and contributed over 6,800 hours of volunteer law enforcement services to the communities. Explorer Post 459 The Explorer Post expanded this year to a record high of 30 Explorers. Eight of our explorers successfully completed the Madera Explorer Academy. Our Explorers participated in the Inaugural Riverside Enforcement Competition in Riverside, CA. This event included competitive scenarios in the areas of felony vehicle stops, first aid, employment interviews, hostage nego- tiation incidents, domestic violence calls, building searches and physical fitness tests. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 13 Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Communications Center. Communications Center During 2015, the Communications Unit processed 339,508 calls for service (CFS) within the County of Fresno. Of these calls, the Communications Unit processed (102,298) calls for service generated from the communities of Sanger (41,916), Parlier (17,713), Orange Cove (11,370), Kerman (23,413) and Fowler (7,886). Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Dispatchers also processed a staggering 105,368 wireless 911 calls in 2015, which averages out to 289 wireless 911 calls a day. The position of a dispatcher is very challenging and requires very good communication skills. Not all of our applicants meet the rigorous performance expectations for the position. In 2015, we hired 17 dispatcher trainees and they started our dispatch training program with training completion anticipated in March 2016. We also welcomed one new Supervising Communications Dis- patcher to our team of dispatch supervisors. A major remodel and technology upgrade to our De- partment Operations Center (DOC) began in June 2015 and was completed in February 2016. Our DOC room is utilized as a command center during times of emergency. The DOC room is activated during a major, serious, or unusual incident or for use during large-scale planned events. OPERATIONAL SUPPORT BUREAU OPERATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (OPI.T.) The Operational Information Technology Unit (OP.I.T.) is under the Command of Lt. Jose Salinas. The unit is staffed with one full-time deputy sheriff, Randy Heckman. Deputy Heckman is overseen by Sheriff’s Sergeant Ryan Hushaw. Deputy Heckman works alongside the profes- sional analysts and engineers of Sheriff’s I.T. to ensure the various systems and technologies used by our per- sonnel are functioning properly and being utilized in a manner consistent with the way in which we deploy. Deputy Heckman also trains new deputies and profes- sional staff on the use of new systems and technologies as they come on-line. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 14 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT BUREAU 2007 - 2015 UCR Burglary, Larceny and Grand The Auto 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1713 991 3812 1735 923 3483 Larceny Grand The AutoBurglary 1630 859 2606 1373 685 2065 1618 832 2331 1934 950 2366 1358 721 2133 1108 558 1702 1398 574 1838 2015 Area 1 Part 1 Crimes 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2015 Calls for Service: 339.508 6.4% Increase from 2014 ORANGE COVE11,370 FOWLER7,886 FSO237,210 SANGER41,916KERMAN23,413 PARLIER17,713 SEARCH (24)60% RESCUE (12)30% RECOVERY (1)2% OUT OF COUNTYMUTUAL AID (3)2% 2015 SAR Missions by Type 2014 2015 2015 Area 2 Part 1 Crimes 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 One of the major accomplishments of the OP. I.T. Unit in 2015 was assisting with the continued development, functionality and overall design process of the new “Star 2.0” intranet site. The site is the hub of most of the programs used by the employees of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The old “Star” website was eventually shut down and replaced with Star 2.0. This intranet site has received a great deal of accolades from the agency as a whole and continues to improve and become more ro- bust over time. In 2015, OP.I.T. researched new computer systems to replace the ones currently being used by our department. The current systems will no longer be supported after 2018. OP.I.T. has formed a “work group” of select mem- bers from Sheriff’s I.T. in order to conduct site-visits of other law enforcement agencies across California. The purpose of these visits is to view and test the systems of other like-size agencies to see if their systems fit our future needs. This will be a major project for the work group over the next several years. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES (OES) The Mutual Aid System is an extension of the concept of “neighbor helping neighbor.” The Law Enforcement Mutual Aid System was established in 1961, and has been used to restore order during emergencies, including civil unrest and to provide as- sistance to local agencies during other unusual events. As a component of the Standardized Emergency Man- agement System [SEMS], the Mutual Aid System is based on four organizational levels: cities, counties, regions and the State. (A county is an operational area along with its political subdivisions.) The state is divided into seven Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Regions. Sheriff Mims is the Region V law enforcement Regional Mutual Aid Coordinator. Region V consists of the following counties: Fresno, Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Tulare, Kern, and Kings. In 2015, Region V provided law enforcement mutual aid to Lake and Calaveras Counties with their large wild land fires during the summer months. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 15 SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM (SAR) Assignment to the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Search and Rescue team is a collateral duty for 14 deputies, four sergeants and a lieutenant. Approximately 200 disaster service worker volunteers also contribute to the Search and Rescue effort. Members of this team maintain proficiency in technical rope rescue, swift-water rescue, man-tracking and search management. This team operates in a wide variety of environmental extremes that include high elevation and inclement weather in some of the most remote portions of Fresno County. 2015 showed an overall reduction from the record- breaking number of missions the team responded to the year prior. Swift water rescue training in the Upper Kings River. SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICESPECIALTY UNITS2007 - 2015 UCR Burglary, Larceny and Grand The Auto 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1713 991 3812 1735 923 3483 Larceny Grand The AutoBurglary 1630 859 2606 1373 685 2065 1618 832 2331 1934 950 2366 1358 721 2133 1108 558 1702 1398 574 1838 2015 Area 1 Part 1 Crimes 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2015 Calls for Service: 339.508 6.4% Increase from 2014 ORANGE COVE11,370 FOWLER7,886 FSO237,210 SANGER41,916KERMAN23,413 PARLIER17,713 SEARCH (24)60% RESCUE (12)30% RECOVERY (1)2% OUT OF COUNTYMUTUAL AID (3)2% 2015 SAR Missions by Type 2014 2015 2015 Area 2 Part 1 Crimes 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Grand The Auto 2014 2015 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 16 Swift water rescue training in the Upper Kings River. Mountaineer training near China Peak. Swift water rescue training in the Lower Kings River. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 17 BDT Diver insertion by helicopter. Deputy Vinogradoff practicing vessel stops during training. Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Arrests 7 Accidents 5 Fatal Accidents 0 Drownings 3 Rescues 59 Persons @ public safety events 1350 Inspections 917 Warnings 1119 Citations 90 Patrolling Shaver Lake by Personal Watercraft (PWC). BOAT AND DIVE TEAM (BDT) The Boating and Dive Team (BDT) is responsible for patrolling and enforcing laws on the waterways of Fresno County. The unit has one full-time sergeant and two full-time deputies. During the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are an additional three deputies and five reserve deputies assigned to the unit. The BDT is funded by grants from California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. The unit also has a contract with the Army Corp of Engineers at Pine Flat Lake to provide one deputy and one reserve deputy for the busy summer months. The continued severe drought and associated low water levels caused a reduction in visi- tation by the public to the waterways in Fresno County. The BDT has several vessels of different varieties and they are each designed for the waterways on which they patrol. The riverboats, lake boats and two personal watercrafts are owned by the California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways. This year, the Sher- iff-Coroner’s Office was awarded a grant from the Division of Boating and Waterways to begin replacing our aging fleet. BDT deputies are currently assisting with the bid- ding process for a new lake patrol vessel, which should be deployed sometime during the 2016 boating season. The BDT is responsible for the recovery of evidence and victims in any waterway in Fresno County. Three sergeants and 13 deputies are assigned to the dive team as a col- lateral assignment. The team trains each month at a variety of locations and water conditions including black water diving, moving water, altitude dives, and deep dives. This year, the BDT recently purchased a new air compressor to allow the team the capability of refilling their S.C.U.B.A. tanks on site. This year the unit responded to assist homicide detectives in the recovery of evidence related to a murder near Firebaugh. They also recovered a vehicle from the murky depths of Avocado Lake, a homicide victim from the California Aqueduct, and three accidental drowning victims from various county locations. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 18 EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) TEAM The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team consists of four bomb technicians, which currently includes a lieutenant, sergeant and two deputies. EOD members are trained by the United States Army Hazardous Devices Division in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of In- vestigation.The bomb technicians are responsible for handling explosive related incidents within the unin- corporated areas of Fresno County and 13 cities that do not have explosive remediation capabilities. In addition, the team responds to incidents in Madera and Kings Counties through mutual aid agreements as those counties do not have explosive remediation capabilities. The EOD team responds to incidents involving explosives, military ordnance, explosions, suspicious packages, bomb threats, and known or suspected improvised explosive devices. In 2015, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to 32 incidents. Two Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians placing a hazardous chemical inside the bomb disposal trailer. Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot being deployed during a training exercise. 2015 STATISTICS Incident type incident count Explosion (Incident) 2 Hoax (Incident) 2 Recovery (Incident) 25 Suspicious Package 3 Unattended Package (Incident) 0 Grand Total 32 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 19 SWAT team members training at the range. SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM (SWAT) The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T) is utilized in high risk oper- ations—specifically where there is an increased danger to public safety or law enforcement personnel caused by sophisticated or violent suspects. The team is com- posed of over 20 operators: a commander who holds the rank of lieutenant, four team leaders who are ser- geants, 12 entry operators, and four snipers. S.W.A.T. is a collateral assignment for all team members who had to pass a vigorous eight-hour testing process. The test- ing process includes multiple types of physical fitness testing, weapon manipulation, accuracy drills, simu- lated firearms scenarios, and an oral board with the team leaders and commander. The team’s success is derived from the determination and discipline of operators, detailed monthly training, and the assistance of the Crisis Negotiation Team. S.W.A.T. trains in disciplines such as land navigation, building search tactics, hostage rescue, vehicle assaults, small unit urban and rural searching. A SWAT sniper deployed in an urban hide. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 20 A stolen tractor recovered by the AG Task Force.. A stolen “trap-wagon” trailer recovered by the Ag Task Force. Bundles of recovered stolen copper wire. AGRICULTURAL CRIMES TASK FORCE The Ag Task-Force was created in September of 1999. Currently, the Ag Task-Force is comprised of a sergeant, six detectives, and a CHP investigator. We enjoy the benefits of having a deputy district attorney assigned to our unit who handles all cases from the initial case filing all the way through sentencing. This concept is known as “vertical prosecution,” which ensures the cases make it all the way through the judicial system without passing through different hands, adding in- creased accountability. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Ag Task-Force investigates all cases with a nexus to the agricultural community, such as theft, embezzlement and financial fraud. We also investigate all metal thefts occurring in Fresno County. The Ag Task-Force regulates local metal recycling yards to ensure they are complying with state and local laws. The unit’s primary objective is to suppress criminal activity through proactive enforcement, thor- ough investigations, and crime prevention/education with our partners in the Ag community and metal recycling industry. The Ag Task-Force participates in a number of organi- zations such as the California Rural Crime Prevention Task-Force (C.R.C.P.T.), the Fresno County Farm Bureau and the Fresno County Ag Roundtable. We regularly attend community meetings throughout Fresno County in an effort to educate the Ag community and address any issues members of the community may have. We strive to maintain close working relationships with the Ag community and believe in fostering open lines of communication and partnerships with those we serve. Detectives meet regularly with other task force mem- bers to make sure the information is being shared amongst agencies. In 2015, the Ag task force assisted the Fresno County Environmental Health Department in compliance checks involving food vendors throughout Fresno County. This was a result of numerous complaints from the public about illegal vendors and unsafe food. These compliance checks will continue in 2016. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 21 A screen shot of the Motorola CommandCentral Analytics software, which provides current crime trend intelligence to focus our enforcement efforts. This is an example how the program depicted burglaries, thefts, vehicle thefts and assaults clustered in the Mayfair area. ROBBERY/PROPERTY CRIMES DETECTIVES The Fresno County Sheriff- Coroner’s Robbery/Property Detectives are assigned throughout Fresno County and are responsible for investigating various felony and misdemeanor property related crimes. The Robbery/Property unit is comprised of 10 detectives and is supervised by two sergeants. The detectives are strategically deployed to each of the four patrol areas and investigate crimes committed in their geographical boundaries. Detectives have developed a good working relationship with the community and work closely to- gether in solving their cases. The Robbery/Property Detectives are responsible for reading all reports that are routed to them regarding crimes in their beats and identifying possible trends. The detectives are responsible for keeping patrol deputies updated on leads and trends that they have identified on their cases. In 2015, detectives served a total of 49 search warrants related to cases they were investigating. Two significant cases in 2015 had detectives working with allied agencies because the crimes spanned into several jurisdictions. The first case involved a string of armed robberies. Detectives recovered latent prints from a stolen lottery ticket taken during an armed robbery of a convenience store. The suspect was identified and found to be on probation and had an ankle monitor on him. Detectives shared their information with allied agencies and were able to place the suspect at the scene of 10 robberies. He was subsequently arrested and the stolen property was recovered. The second case was a string of burglaries at several schools and churches in Fresno County. The suspect was stealing computers from the schools. Detectives were able to identify the suspect and video surveillance put him at several of the burglary scenes. The suspect was arrested and charged with burglary of 10 schools, five churches and one commercial building in Fresno County. Kings County, Tulare County and Madera County also have current cases pending on the same suspect. The unit detectives impacted other cases by tracking crime trends, utilizing crime analysis data and crime mapping provided by the Command Central Analytics application. A- Assaults B- Burglaries T- Thefts V- Vehicle Thefts FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 22 Stolen motorcycle recovered by H.E.A.T. Detectives. HELP ELIMINATE AUTO THEFT (HEAT) TEAM Lieutenant Frances Devins is responsible for the administration of the Help Eliminate Auto Theft (H.E.A.T.) team for Fresno County. This multi-agency law enforcement partnership proactively identifies, investigates and arrests vehicle thieves within Fresno County. The current team consists of personnel from the California Highway Patrol (C.H.P.), Fresno Sheriff- Coroner’s Office, Fresno County Juvenile Probation, Clovis Police Department, National Insurance Crime Bureau (N.I.C.B.) and a part-time deputy district attorney. Partial funding for the team is through vehicle registration fees. These fees also fund three beds at the Fresno County Jail allowing the most prolific car thieves a guaranteed place of confinement. Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 111 Value of Recovered Vehicles*: $743,700.00 Vehicle Theft Investigations Initiated: 74 Vehicle Theft Offenders Arrested: 60 Vehicle Theft Cases Filed: 22 Vehicle Theft Convictions (Pled or Sentenced) 57 Convicted Vehicle Theft Offenders Supervised: 25 Parole/Probation Searches: 9 Business Inspections (2805 V.C.): 2 *$6,700 per vehicle based on average replacement value established by the FBI. Classic collector cars recovered by H.E.A.T. Detectives. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 23 An ACT team member escorts probation violator. ADULT COMPLIANCE TEAM (ACT) The Fresno County Adult Compliance Team (ACT) is a small multi-agency task force designed to assist the Fresno County Probation Department with the super- vision of those defendants falling under the provisions of Assembly Bill (AB) 109. The team has been in existence since October of 2011. ACT consists of officers from the Fresno County Sher- iff-Coroner’s Office, Fresno Police Department, Clovis Police Department, Selma Police Department, Fresno County Probation Department and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. During this past year, ACT officers made almost 3,200 probation contacts at over 1,800 locations throughout Fresno County. Of those 3,200 contacts, 409 involved arrests with 11 who were juvenile offenders. In addition to assisting the Probation Department, the team also assists other agencies with investigations, attempt pick-ups and probation compliance checks/ searches involving AB 109 and felony probation offend- ers. During this past year, the team worked with detec- tives from the Ventura County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office during the location and apprehension of two suspects who were wanted on human trafficking charges out of Ventura County. ACT also assisted MAGEC, Fresno Police Department (Domestic Violence, Identity Theft, Property, Violent Crimes and Homicide), Clovis Police Department, Selma Police Department and Firebaugh Police Department with special investigations, probation compliance checks/searches and gang/enforcement details. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 24 DETECTIVE BUREAU HOMICIDE UNIT The Homicide Unit currently has eight detectives and one detective sergeant assigned. The primary respon- sibility of these detectives is to investigate homicides, questionable death cases, officer-involved shootings, assaults with deadly weapons, kidnappings, assaults on officers, and weapons violations. Criminal investi- gations conducted by the unit during 2015 include but are not limited to the following: FSO Homicides 8 Other Agency Homicide 4 Total Homicides 12 Officer Involved Shootings 3 Aggravated Felony Assaults 16 Assaults on Officers 36 In-Custody Deaths 5 Detectives investigated eight homicides in 2015 in the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office jurisdiction. We also investigated four additional homicides for allied agencies which are outside Fresno Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. The dedica- tion and hard work of the men and women assigned to the Homicide Unit cannot be understated. The entire team continues to manage their own individual caseloads while assisting each other in the major investigations. SEXUAL ASSAULT/CHILDS ABUSE UNIT The Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit consists of four detectives and one detective sergeant who are respon- sible for investigating all cases involving sexual assaults, both adult and juvenile, as well as cases of child abuse and neglect. Detectives from the Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit also investigate other crimes as needed and work closely with their peers throughout the department, including the Homicide Unit. The Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit Detectives work closely with Child Protective Services (CPS), medical professionals, prosecutors and advocacy agencies. In addition to the special skills needed to work with these victims, the detectives assigned to the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit are committed to using their entire investigative prowess to identify, arrest and charge offenders who commit these offenses. 2015 STATISTICS • 372 Cases investigated by sex crimes/ child abuse detectives • 35 FBI-Part I forcible rape cases • 21 FBI-Part I forcible rape cases closed by arrest FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 25 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) The Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) is operated by the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office who serves as the lead agency. Central California ICAC is one of 61 task forces located throughout the United States. The Central California ICAC Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional program con- sisting of investigators from various local, state, federal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies throughout the nine counties of the Central Valley. To date, Central California ICAC consists of 59 affiliated law enforcement agencies. The ICAC Task Force is responsible for investigative responses to offenders who use the internet, online communications systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. As the lead agency for Central California ICAC, the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office is responsible for coordinating training and equipment needs for all affiliated agencies. The unit is responsible for the dissemination of cyber tips, which are reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Our detectives also generate public awareness through public safety presentations. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office received both federal and state grant funding to support Central California ICAC for 2015. Grant funding is used to support three full-time detectives and one full-time Community Service Officer. It also covers the training and equipment for the 59 affiliated law enforcement agencies on our Task Force. 2015 STATISTICS • 732 Reactive cases • 71 Proactive cases • 70 Arrests related to possession and distribution of child pornography • 11 Children rescued from active molestations (child victims) • 598 Cyber-tips received • 31 Federal subpoenas served • 159 State search warrant executed • 1,362 Technical supports • 638 Training sessions • 51 Presentations with 4,217 people in attendance • 6 Public events with 17,732 people in attendance • 6 Cases submitted for federal prosecution • 49 Cases submitted for state prosecution FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 26 Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP) The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP) became operational in April of 2012. The unit is staffed by two detectives who coor- dinate proactive and reactive sex offender investigations. They work closely with the Central California ICAC Task Force and the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office PC 290 Sex Of- fender/Registration Unit. CSPP detectives also conduct investigations into crimes perpetuated against children and youth by child sexual predators and sex offenders/ registrants. The CSPP Unit also engages in law enforce- ment and community outreach activities including training, prevention and education activities. 2015 STATISTICS • 393 Compliance checks • 81 Arrests • 30 Open PC 290 violations filed with District Attorney’s Office Pc290 Sex Offender Registration Unit The PC 290 Unit has one detective and one part-time employee who are responsible for the registration, tracking, and enforcement of registration requirements of all convicted sex offenders under the jurisdiction of the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The PC 290 Unit interacts and works closely with the California Department of Justice, local police depart- ments, Fresno County DA’s Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Parole and the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Residence verifications of registrants are conducted throughout the year with coordinated sweeps in order to confirm that sex offend- ers are abiding by their requirements. 2015 STATISTICS • 666 Registration transactions (includes annual updates, moving or address changes in and out of jurisdiction, transients, incarcerations and deceased) • 488 Registered Sex Offenders under FSO jurisdiction • Of the 488 registered offenders assigned to FSO, 18 are currently in custody at Fresno County Jail (FCJ), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), or Federal Prison • 29 Out of compliance registered sex offenders under FSO jurisdiction. • Of the 29 out of compliance registered sex offenders, we have 16 active felony warrants, seven are Pre-Megan’s Law with limited information and six are out of compliance and currently under investigation • 393 PC290 home verifications • 30 Arrests for violations/PC 290 warrants FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 27 Elder Abuse The Elder Abuse Unit is currently staffed by one full-time detective. The primary responsibility of the elder abuse detective is to investigate physical abuse, financial exploitation, and care giver neglect involving elder and dependent adults. The Elder Abuse Unit is housed at the Fresno Madera Agency on Aging Senior Resource Center where there are many resources available to seniors. Our Elder Abuse detective shares a wing with Fresno County Adult Protective Services, Victim Witness Services, Pub- lic Guardian’s Office and the California State Om- budsman Program. 2015 STATISTICS • 90 Total active investigations related to elder abuse in 2015 • 41 Incident reports related to elder abuse • 17 Larcenies/thefts • 13 Aggravated assaults • 7 Simple assaults • 5 Intimidations • 5 Frauds/Embezzlements • 2 Burglaries Domestic Violence The Domestic Violence Unit is responsible for investi- gating all cases of domestic violence. These cases include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, restrain- ing order violations, and any other case perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant or any other who have a child in common. The Domestic Violence Unit works closely with the Marjaree Mason Center and a victim advocate who is assigned to the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office full-time. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office applied and was awarded a Domestic Violence Grant through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This grant funded a second full-time detective as well as the victim advocate from the Marjaree Mason Center for a three-year period. With this funding, the Domestic Vio- lence Unit is able to better serve the victims of Fresno County and their children to prevent further victimiza- tion by the perpetrators. 2015 STATISTICS • 975 Domestic violence incident and crime reports taken by Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office • 450 Felony domestic violence crime reports • 292 Misdemeanor domestic battery crime reports • 233 Restraining order violations • 358 Emergency protective orders issued Missing Persons The Missing Person’s Unit is responsible for tracking and locating missing persons and runaway juveniles. The unit investigates incoming reports, conducts fol- low-up investigations, follows state reporting mandates, completes monthly Department of Justice audits, and reviews National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Un- identified Deceased Persons/Missing Comparison reports. 2015 STATISTICS • 428 Missing person/runaway juvenile cases were reported • 389 Closed cases (91%) FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 28 Civil Unit In 2015, the Civil Unit remained very active with civil cases and civil services. A majority of these cases can be challenging and dangerous. The Civil Unit continues to pay attention to current events and information that can keep the unit efficient with safety in mind. 2015 Statistics • Evictions – Completed 2,090 evictions and 102 foreclosures, with 21 attempted evictions postponed for various reasons • Levies – Completed 2,404 and had 451 associated attempts of service • Civil Process Services – Completed 3,761 and had 5,953 associated attempts of service Records Unit The Records Unit is responsible for maintaining and processing reports written by deputies, processing re- possessed and stored vehicles, performing background and records checks, scanning of police related docu- ments, teletype services, subpoena and Public Records Act requests, maintaining and processing warrants, maintaining and processing custody and restraining orders, and providing counter and telephone services to law enforcement and the public. In an average year the Records Unit processes 23,000 reports, 42,000 warrants, 6,400 restraining orders, 150 subpoena requests, 100 Public Records Act (PRA) requests and 5,300 restraining orders in the California Courts Protective Order Registry. In 2015, the Records Unit began using the California Court Protective Order Registry full-time. This has allowed the Records Unit to store and reference restraining orders in a more efficient manner. Crime Scene Unit The Crime Scene Unit consists of eight identification technicians and one senior identification technician. The unit is in a period of tremendous growth and transition. The unit will continue to make significant investments in training. We need to quickly develop the foundation skills of our new personnel. This will continue into 2016. The Crime Scene Unit has implemented procedures to electronically capture and assess work processes. The need exists to accurately assess the quantity and quality of work the unit produces. In 2015, the unit responded to and processed 470 crime scenes. Property & Evidence Unit In 2015, the Property and Evidence Unit began research- ing new ways of inventorying several thousand pieces of evidence that are processed by Sheriff-Coroner’s Office every year. The unit will continue to work with IT to develop a hand held scanner system for evidence that ties into the records management system. Additionally, in 2016 we will work on updating all our current procedures to keep pace with current industry standards in the management of property and evidence. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 29 SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DETAIL/VICE Special Investigations Detail (SID) consists of the Nar- cotics Enforcement Team and the Vice/Intelligence Team. There are three teams under the Narcotics umbrella at SID; the Marijuana Enforcement Team, the Domestic Highway Enforcement Team, and the Parcel/General Narcotics team. Marijuana Enforcement Team The Marijuana Enforcement Team is responsible for the detection, eradication and prosecution of illegal mari- juana operations in Fresno County. In February of 2014, the County of Fresno passed a new ordinance that banned marijuana cultivation in Fresno County. The Marijuana Enforcement Team has been responsible for the implementation of the ordinance including enforce- ment, coordination with other county agencies and testimony during appeals. For 2015 there were 264 confirmed marijuana grows in Fresno County. Of those marijuana grows, 254 were eradicated with 121,990 marijuana plants destroyed. Over 686 lbs. of processed marijuana was seized and destroyed. The Marijuana Enforcement Team served 18 marijuana-related search warrants, made 73 arrests and seized 59 firearms from marijuana growers. A rural marijuana grow in Fresno County. Domestic Highway Enforcement The Domestic Highway Enforcement team spent their time split between highway operations and assisting with marijuana eradication and other narcotics inves- tigations. They were assisted by one of the two K9 handlers each week. They had 10 seizures for 2015 re- sulting in 95.5 pounds of processed marijuana and five pounds of methamphetamine. They made five arrests, and seized two firearms and $934,222 in U.S. currency. Vice Intelligence Unit The Vice Unit is responsible for investigating allegations of prostitution, pimping, human trafficking, animal fights, alcoholic beverage control, threats to public officials, organized crime, public corruption and domes- tic terrorism. AIR SUPPORT UNIT (ASU) The Air Support Unit (ASU) currently operates two MD500E helicopters and one Cessna 206H airplane and is staffed with seven Deputy Sheriffs (four pilots and three tactical flight officers). Over the past year, ASU aircraft have flown in excess of 1,700 hours. These hours include assisting in twenty-five vehicle pursuits, eleven Search and Rescue (SAR) calls and 320 requests for assistance from outside agencies. In 2015, one ASU vacancy was filled with a new tactical flight officer and our newest pilot/deputy completed his patrol and flight orientation training. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office is in the process of acquir- ing a new MD530F helicopter to replace one of our aging MD500E helicopters. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 30 Our flight crew presenting Eagle One to children attending the Sheriff’s Foundation Kid’s Day event. Our Cessna 206 fixed-wing aircraft. FORENSIC LABORATORY Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Forensic Laboratory provides forensic science services to the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. There are three sections within the Forensic Laboratory of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office: the Narcotics Analysis, DNA/ Serology, and Firearms Evidence sections. Narcotics Analysis This section provides continuous and routine controlled substances analysis for every law enforcement agency in Fresno County, with the exception of Fresno Police Department. The controlled substance analysis program is unique within the State of California. 99% of FSO drug samples submitted are analyzed and a report issued within 24 hours of being submitted. This is unheard of in the Forensic community as most labs have a backlog of drug cases submitted. DNA/Serology This section was instrumental in determining the iden- tity of a bank robbery suspect this year by extracting DNA from the bank robber’s mask. The DNA type was matched to a DNA type in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database leading to the suspect’s arrest and plea bargain to his charges. Firearms/Evidence This section is one of the mainstays of the Forensic Laboratory and a unique area of expertise. This section handles the examination of firearms and toolmark evi- dence associated with various crimes within the county. It also involves scene response with officer-involved shootings and other shooting scenes upon request. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 31 COURT SERVICES UNIT (CSU) Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office is responsible for provid- ing security and law enforcement to the judicial officers, staff and court facilities located in Fresno County. This task is accomplished through the Court Services Unit (CSU), which is comprised of approximately 128 sworn and support staff. Lt. John Reynolds is the commander of the Court Services Unit. Deputies assigned to the CSU screen about 20,000 people per week to ensure that weapons and prohibited items do not enter court facilities. In 2015, the Court Services Unit prevented nine firearms, 2,714 knives, 58 stun guns and 842 chemical agents from entering court facilities. The CSU provides these services for the Main Courthouse, B.F. Sisk Civil Courthouse, Traffic Courthouse, North Annex Court and Juvenile Delinquency Courthouse. It also has a Judicial Protection Team, which is tasked with providing a higher level of security for special events involving judicial staff and dignitaries. In 2015, the judicial protection team participated in 14 special protective details. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUREAU Judge Vogt and Deputy Waldrop exchanging court paperwork in Department #62. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUREAU FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 32 TRAINING UNIT Throughout the calendar year of 2015, our training staff re- searched, prepared, adminis- tered, and documented 104 Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified train- ing classes. The Training Unit provides an extensive law enforcement training format to our deputies as well as allied officers from local police agencies within Fresno County. The two-year POST training cycle for Fresno County Sher- iff-Coroner’s Office concludes in December 2016. It is estimated that the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will train about 800 personnel. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coro- ner’s Office Training Unit hosted a one-day Sikh Aware- ness training for all local law enforcement. Throughout 2015, correctional training staff researched, prepared, administered, and documented 170 California Standards and Training (STC) certified training classes. Training was administered to correctional staff, deputies assigned to Courts and Patrol, Corizon Medical staff, civilian staff and outlying agencies throughout the State of California. Twenty-nine of our correctional cadets assigned to the Detention Bureau and 16 correctional cadets from San Luis Obispo County, Los Banos Police Department, Madera County Department of Corrections and Lassen County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office completed correctional core academies in 2015. Training unit personnel were invited to instruct on subjects pertain- ing to the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) and scenario based training during the 2015 Keys Conference in Concord, California and during a training managers’ seminar in Shell Beach, California. SHERIFF’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNIT Timely, accessible data is critical to effective law-en- forcement. The Information Systems used by the Sher- iff-Coroner’s Office are interdependent and relied upon by all law enforcement and correctional staff. Computer Aided Dispatch is a system that allows 911 call-takers to route patrol cars to citizens in need. Network Records Management System (NetRMS) software allows our personnel to enter incident information into a database. This incident data is later transferred into the records management and a corrections management system, whose function it is to track criminal cases, warrants, and inmates once in custody. Information captured by a deputy in days, weeks, even years earlier can be relayed to another deputy today to prevent or solve a crime. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) makes further use of the data to create visual represen- tations used for Crime Mapping, reporting and analysis. Network Systems Engineer III Geoffrey Gonzales hard at work in Sheriff’s IT. Network Systems Engineer IV David Martinez examining a computer for repair. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 33 Our new Coroner’s Unit office. CORONER’S UNIT In late 2013, the Board of Supervisors approved the consolidation of the Coroner’s Office with the Sheriff’s Office effective January 1, 2015. A lieutenant position was created to oversee the consolidation of the Coroner’s operations into the new Coroner’s Unit. During 2015, the Coroner’s Unit transferred its case management system (CMS) onto the Sheriff’s IT network and began to take advantage of additional investigative tools and computer programs normally used by enforce- ment and custodial staff. The unit continues to work with Sheriff-Coroner IT staff to maintain and enhance the Coroner Medical Examiner software (CME) as needed. Our deputy coroners furthered their professional edu- cation by attending the California Statewide Coroner’s Training Center in Southern California and a California State Coroner Symposium. Our staff also attended a skeletal recovery workshop and mass disaster training. The Sheriff-Coroner continues to be an advocate of organ and tissue donation. The unit is working proactively to enhance our partnerships that allow the families of decedents to make decisions that save vision or lives through tissue/organ donation. 2015 STATISTICS: • 3,385 Cases reported to the Coroner’s Office. • 889 Coroner cases - Any death investigation that results in the Deputy Coroner certifying the death certificate and a final Sheriff- Coroner report is written and filed with the County Clerk. • 2,496 Non-coroner cases - A reportable death investigation conducted by a Deputy Coroner, which is and determined to be a natural death. A full investigation is not needed because the attending physician willing to certify the death certificate. • 398 Full autopsies. The number of full autopsies has been steadily increasing in the last 5 years. • 310 External body examinations - A visual/ physical examination including all necessary toxicology screens where sufficient investigation determines a Full Autopsy is not needed to determine manner and cause of death. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 34 Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Chamblis taking examination photos while conducting an autopsy. Year End Stats 2013-2015 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2013 2014 2015 Total Autopsy External Examination Year End Stats 2013-2015 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2013 2014 2015 Total (5 Years) Coroner Cases Non-Coroner Cases Total Reportable Cases 390 275 392 325 398 310 1180 910 840 26743514 904 25503454 889 24963385 2633 7720 10353 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 35 FISCAL MANAGEMENT Our Business Office is responsible for the coordination of all activities related to the business and fiscal functions of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. Major areas of responsibility include: budget preparation, general accounting and collection of department reve- nues, the fiscal control of contracts, employee payroll, and the administration of accounts payable. This year, the Business Office successfully managed the Sheriff’s budget of $190 million. Our team met their objectives for revenue collection and ended the fiscal year under budget. The Business Office supports the Sheriff-Coroner’s staff of 1,135 in their performance of a wide variety of assign- ments in service to the citizens of Fresno County. Our staff supports the areas of travel and training along with the acquisition of services and supplies. Our team is also responsible for the fiscal management of grants, revenue contracts and inmate welfare accounting. Our Business Office staff. Stock Clerk Doug King The Accounts Receivable Section is responsible for the fiscal management of revenue from contracted law enforcement services, fees and grants totaling $89 million dollars. This requires coordination with depart- mental staff, state, federal and local law enforcement agencies, Fresno County School Districts and other County departments. The Business Office has the daily accountability for the balancing and depositing of all inmate money at the time of bookings, in addition to the money received by the Jail Mail Staff for any of the 40,000 bookings through- out the year. The Inmate Welfare Section processes all incoming revenue from inmate welfare revenue agree- ments, purchase orders, supply orders and contracts for supplies and services that benefit the inmates. Our staff is held accountable for the Prisoner Trust Fund and the Inmate Welfare Fund. Receiving of supplies is manned by our diligent stock clerk, Doug King. He is responsible for ordering and distributing most of the supplies that are used by our agency staff. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 36 FLEET SERVICES UNIT The Fleet Services Unit is currently staffed with one sergeant, one account clerk, two student workers and two automotive technicians. The unit is responsible for the management and maintenance of the existing Sheriff-Coroner’s fleet of 475 vehicles. Our fleet includes not only our patrol vehicles, but other sedans, trucks and utility vehicles. These utility vehicles are used to support our specialty units and other necessary functions of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The unit’s other responsibilities include product testing, vehicle modifications, the salvaging of decommissioned vehicles that have been wrecked beyond repair or have been evaluated by our staff to be unsafe to operate in our fleet due to age, mileage or other associated factors. Our new 2015 Ford Explorer Patrol SUV. During 2015, the Fleet Services Unit took delivery of 39 new Ford Explorer SUV’s to help replace our aged and discontinued Ford Crown Victoria patrol sedans. These new vehicles are the most substantial addition to our patrol fleet since 2008. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, with support from the Board of Supervisors, looks forward to purchasing additional vehicles during the 2015/2016 fiscal year. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 37 HUMAN RESOURCES The main responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Human Re- sources Unit include managing personnel movement within the department via new hires and promotions. The unit is responsible for the processing and manage- ment of on the job injury claims. The unit also processes employee requests for medical and protected leaves. 2015 was a busy year for the Human Resources Unit. Hiring was in full swing due to new positions, numerous promotions, retirements, and resignations. Over 50 correctional and deputy positions were added to our roster this year. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has a rig- orous pre-employment screening process. All department positions are required to undergo an interview, poly- graph, and background investigation. Some positions also require a medical and psychological evaluation. In total, our office made contact with nearly 700 applicants to fill our numerous vacancies. The Human Resources Unit is staffed full time with one lieutenant, one staff analyst, two program technicians and one office assistant. To keep up with our aggressive There were a total of 171 hires and 21 internal promotions made in 2015: HIRES PROMOTIONS CIVILIAN 5 6 CORRECTIONAL 66 8 DEPUTY 46 7 EXTRA HELP 35 0 TOTAL 171 21 There were a total of 102 on the job injury claims and 180 protected leave claims filed in 2015: OJI CLAIMS FMLA/CFRA CIVILIAN 5 28 CORRECTIONAL 45 110 DEPUTY 52 42 TOTAL: 102 180 hiring this year, we added five part-time background investigators, bringing our total to 12. We also employ two part-time student workers. CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT UNIT The Concealed Weapons Permit Unit is staffed with 10 extra-help special investigators and three student workers. The unit is responsible for conducting back- ground investigations on all concealed weapons permit applicants as well as maintaining the records of approx- imately 10,000 active concealed weapons permits issued by Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The unit also processed 1,074 new concealed weapons permits and 2,993 concealed weapons permit renewals. Near the conclusion of 2015, the unit also noted a marked increase in permit applications after the tragic mass shootings in San Bernardino, California on December 2, 2015. This has resulted in an approximate five month wait time to start the permit process including an average 12 week wait in fingerprint processing by the California Department of Justice. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 38 The Jail Division is comprised of the Jail Operations Bureau and the Jail Services and Programs Bureau. The Jail Division operates three jail facilities with the ap- proved staffing levels of 437 correctional officers, 41 correctional sergeants, nine correctional lieutenants, one program manager, and two captains. Captain Ron Vega is the Operations Bureau Commander and Captain Jennifer Horton is in command of the Services and Programs Bureau. In 2011, Public Safety Realignment (AB109) shifted re- sponsibility for future incarceration of some lower-level offenders from the state prison system to county jails. In 2014, California voters approved proposition 47, which reduced some felony property crimes and some felony drug offenses to misdemeanor violations of the law. The first year after passage of Proposition 47, a 27% decrease in the number of bookings into the Fresno County Jail was noted. In late 2011, a large class action lawsuit, Hall v. The County of Fresno, was filed in federal court by the Prison Law Office seeking injunctive and declaratory relief for issues associated with inadequate and untimely med- ical and mental health care for inmates. During subse- quent settlement negotiations, the County of Fresno engaged the services of Corizon Healthcare as the new provider of medical and mental health services in the County Jail and the Juvenile Justice Center, replacing the Department of Public Health and the Department of Behavioral Health as the primary care providers. In 2015, this lawsuit was settled and over the next four JAIL OPERATIONS & PROGRAMS BUREAU years the County has the challenge to implement changes to improve the medical care, mental health care, and compliance with the American Disabilities Act for all inmates. Additional supervision of inmates is also required, that necessitates the hiring of an additional 134 Correctional Officers over a three year period. On January 16, 2014 the County of Fresno was approved for funding under State Senate Bill 1022 to construct a new jail facility. The new to be constructed West Annex Jail Facility will be built on the corner of Merced and “L” Streets adjacent to the current North Annex Jail. The County of Fresno has hired the architectural firm of DLR to design the new jail facility. Sheriff’s Jail staff will continue to work with DLR to determine facility design requirements. The County has hired Kitchell, a construction management firm, to manage the construction project. The new West Annex Jail will be approximately 115,000 sq. feet and house 300 inmates. The West Annex Jail will have an emphasis on the treatment of mentally ill offenders as well as emphasis on effective reintegration back into the community of inmates. Construction is estimated to begin in January of 2017 with a tentative completion in October of 2019. Once completed and operational, the South Annex Jail will be decommissioned. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 39 JAIL OPERATIONS Detention Facilities: Total – 3,291 beds Main Jail Built in 1989 operates with 1,064 total beds North Jail Built in 1993 operates with 1,728 total beds South Annex Jail Built in 1941 operates with 499 total beds The inmate population for the three facilities in 2015 was approximately 2,620 inmates. The jail population is comprised of 88% male and 12% female inmates. • During 2015, the Jail processed 29,952 new arrestees into custody and processed 29,940 releases. • The average length of stay for an inmate was 32 days. • 3,031,829 meals were served to inmates in 2015. • During 2015 the jail transported 738 inmates to off-site clinic appointments and 592 inmates to the hospital for emergency services. The emergency transports required 42,708 hours of Correctional/ Deputy escort time. Population Management Unit The Jail Division Population Management Unit is a vital component of Jail Operations. The Unit is comprised of 16 correctional officers, four correctional sergeants and one correctional lieutenant. The unit is responsible for the screening, assessment and classification of in- mates. This evaluation is based on a formal and objec- tive system that utilizes a point scale to determine appropriate housing assignments. Each inmate is inter- viewed to elicit information relating to their history of incarceration, past offenses, institutional behavior, potential for victimization, propensity for violence or predatory behavior, gang affiliation and other factors that might affect their housing assignment. Amongst their varied duties, the Population Management Unit is responsible to investigate major incidents and assaults that occur in the jail facilities. These investiga- tions are not intended for prosecutorial purposes, but instead are meant to facilitate the safe housing of in- mates. Information gathered from Population Manage- ment investigations may be turned over to a correspond- ing investigating law enforcement entity. JAIL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS Sheriff’s Inmate Labor Crew (SILC)\ Graffiti Abatement Program The Sheriff’s Inmate Labor Crew (SILC) works in part- nership with the community by using inmate labor as a resource. SILC is utilized to complete beautification projects that help to improve the quality of life for the residents of Fresno County. The primary focus of the work crew is to address graffiti within the county. A jail trustee painting over graffiti in the City of Fresno. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 40 Transition Program (TJC) On August 5, 2013, the Community Corrections Partner- ship (CCP) funded the Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) housing unit at the Fresno County Jail. Transition from Jail to Community is an initiative that began in 2007 by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), in partnership with the Urban Institute (UI). The goal of the TJC model is to improve public safety and reinte- gration outcomes by providing services to transition offenders back into their communities. The TJC Unit is staffed by two correctional officers, two probation officers, one social worker, one correctional sergeant, and one programs manager. Staff assigned to the TJC are trained in evidence based programs such as Thinking for Change (T4C) and Motivational Inter- viewing (MI). Inmates accepted to this unit are AB109 mandatory supervision inmates who are assessed as moderate to high risk to reoffend. As these inmates transition back to the community, they will continue their treatment with community providers. The Sher- iff-Coroner’s Office works in partnership with the Pro- bation Department to make this program successful. The Probation Department provides supervision upon release from custody. The TJC has a partnership with community-based orga- nizations such as Turning Point, Sierra Educational Research Institute and the Fresno County Office of Ed- ucation. These organizations, along with the TJC staff, provide services to the inmates including sober living assistance, substance abuse treatment, job readiness, GED, parenting and anger management. As of today, over 175 inmates have successfully completed the TJC program. Several counties within California have toured the Fresno County Jail in the hope of developing a similar program. TJC has received national recognition for aiding in reducing recidivism in our community. In January of 2015, our TJC staff was asked to represent the Fresno Sheriff-Coroner’s Office at the 4th Annual Conference on Public Safety Realignment, where they provided a presentation on “Changes in Leadership to Effect Transition from Jail to Community”. Photo of the TJC inmate housing area.TJC inmates meeting with a program counselor. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 41 Transportation Unit The Transportation Unit is staffed with three deputy sheriffs and one Fresno Police Department officer. In 2015, the unit transported 2,459 inmates to other facil- ities throughout California. The unit also participated in 15 extraditions within the United States. Chaplaincy Program The Jail Chaplaincy Program pro- vides pastoral care and counsel- ing to the inmates housed in the Fresno County Jail. There are four full-time chaplains on staff who represent Protestant, Catholic and Muslim faiths. There are an additional 126 volunteers who provide services to the inmate population. The chaplaincy staff assists jail operations by helping the inmate population with the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Transportation Bus. frustrations of incarceration by helping to divert nega- tive behaviors away from correctional personnel or jail equipment. While no one’s faith should be denied, security is the first concern of the incarceration facility. For example, wine for communion is contraband so it is not allowed. The services our chaplains provide include birth, death and hospitalization notification of an inmate’s family member. They provide spiritual guidance, religious study material and may assist the inmate with aftercare for them or their families. A variety of religions represent our inmate population, which is respected by our vol- unteers and staff. Our staff serves with honor, empathy, dignity and respect for all people. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 42 A Boating and Dive Team (BDT) member assists a citizen with recovering a disabled sailboat. Deputies Holston and Vinogradoff practice boarding other vessels during personal watercraft (PWC) training. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 43 Boating and Dive Team (BDT) members recover a sunken boat from the Kings River. A narcotics detective harvests mature plants from an illegal marijuana grow. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 44 Numerous marijuana plants recovered during the service of a narcotics search warrant. A stolen harvester recovered by the Agricultural Crimes Task Force (AGTF). FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 45 2015 Agency Awards Distinguished Service Medal (Achievement) Sergeant Dale Baumann Official Commendation (Achievement) Detective Jason Hollins Official Commendation (Achievement) Detective Phil Lodge 2015 Promotions Sheriff’s Lieutenant Kevin Lolkus Brent Stalker Richard Wilhoite Sheriff’s Correctional Lieutenant Roy Vinton Kefer McCoy Sheriff’s Sergeants Arley Terrence Bradley Gattie Edward Essegian Ralph Paolinelli Adam Esmay David Pugliese FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 46 Correctional Sergeant Cinthya Messick Isaac Torres Chris Garcia Che Garcia Marti Velasco Roger Oliver Deputy Sheriff IV Robert McEwen Scott Weishaar Robert Carey Phillip Lodge Hector Palma Matthew Hamilton Anthony Gomez Mark Fam David Rippe Kenneth Kalar Program Technician Marina Banuelos Financial Analyst I Brittany James Staff Analyst I Toune Syharath FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 47 2015 California Peace Officer Line of Duty Deaths Police Officer Ricardo Galvez Downey Police Department, CA EOW: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Police Officer Bryce Edward Hanes San Bernardino Police Department, CA EOW: Thursday, November 5, 2015 Sergeant Scott Lunger Hayward Police Department, CA EOW: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Police Officer David Joseph Nelson Bakersfield Police Department, CA EOW: Friday, June 26, 2015 Police Officer Michael Johnson San Jose Police Department, CA EOW: Tuesday, March 24, 2015