2000-2001 Grand Jury Report

LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION

The Humboldt County Grand Jury has received several complaints from law enforcement agencies concerning computer-retrieved information from the Humboldt County Information Services Department. Complaints are predominantly in the areas of computer programming and the output of the California Law Enforcement Warrant System (CLEWS) and the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).

PROCEDURE

The grand jury in its investigation of law enforcement computer problems has interviewed members of law enforcement and Information Services Department.

F-1 There are serious delays in receiving information from CLEWS and CLETS.

F-2 Inaccurate and unreliable information is received from CLEWS and CLETS

F-3 Officer safety is a serious issue.

F-4 Law enforcement agencies seldom know if the system is slow or is down for maintenance.

F-5 There are times when computer-transmitted warrants to be sent to the jail are never received.

CONCLUSIONS

C-1 The delays in receiving information from CLEWS and CLETS through Information Services may affect officer safety.

C-2 The inaccurate and unreliable information from CLEWS and CLETS through Information Services may result in false arrests or incorrect bookings of a subject.

RECOMMENDATIONS

THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING:

R-1 Law enforcement agencies disassociate themselves from the Humboldt County Information Services Department and work directly with the State of California Department of Justice which uses the proper software: CLEWS and CLETS.

 RESPONSES

THE FOLLOWING RESPONSES TO REPORT 01-07 ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO P.C. 933 AND THE STANDARD FORMAT FOR RESPONSES.

1. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors respond to all findings and recommendations.
2. The Humboldt County Sheriff respond to all findings and recommendations.
3. The Eureka Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations.
4. The Arcata Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations.
5. The Fortuna Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations.
6. The Ferndale Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations.
7. The Rio Dell Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations.
8. The Blue Lake Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations
9. The Trinidad Police Chief respond to all findings and recommendations.