Police Operations and Data Analysis Report, Morgan Hill, California
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Although MHPD’s technology adequately meets its needs, staff is seeking additional technology to
enhance delivery of service. MHPD personnel are deployed with VieVu body cameras. As the use of
these devices becomes more prevalent and their recordings become more sought after by
prosecutors, defense attorneys, media, and the public, storage and processing requests will become
an increasing issue. MHPD is seeking storage and redaction solutions for this data heavy
technology.
Technology in general, and certainly in law enforcement, is in a constant state of innovative change.
There are many new applications for field and investigative use being deployed throughout the
country. They range from simple smartphone applications to significant software and hardware
systems requiring considerable capital expenditure. Few agencies can afford all of the state-of-the-
art technology available. Agencies must review the options available and assess the benefit to their
department.
MHPD management staff has identified technology that will improve the department’s efficiency
and service to the community such as Smart Justice, which provides “Google” search functionality to
law enforcement databases, solutions for prisoner monitoring via a touchscreen system, and
laptops for Special Operations staff. A GIS mapping enhancement is also an improvement being
sought by the department. Identifying priorities from these options and a strategy to seek
necessary funding should be a goal of department management.
Recommendation:
Identify technology priorities and develop a strategy to seek necessary funding.
Temporary Holding Facility
The MHPD operates a temporary holding facility as defined by Title 15 of the California Code of
Regulations. Under state law, a temporary holding facility is one that may hold a person no longer
than 24 hours. It is usually operated by a town or city for the temporary detention of persons
pending release, transfer to another facility, or appearance in court. Persons who need to be
detained longer than 24 hours shall be transferred to a jail facility. MHPD policy limits detention in
the facility for no more than six hours. MHPD’s lockup facility, located in the police building, has
three adult holding cells, two sobering cells, and two secure juvenile holding cells and has a rated
prisoner capacity of eleven. Operation of a holding facility exposes any government entity to
significant issues of potential liability. The city of Morgan Hill and its police department must
continually monitor the environment to ensure compliance with minimum jail standards and
prisoner safety.
The MHPD jail administrator is the Chief of Police and the jail manager is currently a sergeant.
MHPD utilizes a civilian multi-service officer (MSO) as the jailer. The state-required minimum
staffing is one certified jailer on-duty when the jail is occupied. Custodial personnel who are
responsible for supervising inmates in, and who are supervisors of, a court holding or temporary
holding facility shall complete eight hours of specialized training. All concerned MHPD staff
successfully completed the training and passed the certification tests for 2015. The MHPD jail policy