(DISCUSSION) Chief Probation Officer’s report:
· summary of the Chief’s first month’s activities
he referred to a list of the activities he’s been involved in, but briefly summing up that he has been trying to assess both internal and external situations facing the dept, getting to know the communities, and learning of procedures and practices currently in play.
· major items on the CPO’s ‘To Do List’
The other portion of his report is encompassed in the list of things that need to be done (his priorities), including re-establishing a positive, trusting relationship with dept staff. He also wants to set up clear communications between the dept and the commission, to re-design the dept’s mission statement that identifies specific objectives, to hire an Asst. Chief Probation Officer. Language access, service to undocumented, unaccompanied youth is high on the list. Establish a juvenile advisory council, made up of youth who have experience in the system. The Dept to have a greater presence in the community.
He is looking at the short-term needs at Log Cabin Ranch, to improve the leadership, conditions, and services provided there. He was very impressed with the youth, during his visit on Family Day, and wants to do what he needs to in order to preserve that resource for the youth of San Francisco. His goal is to elevate the public’s trust and the dept’s belief in its ability to make a difference.
Comm Hale commented that language access has been discussed for a while and hoped the chief was not starting from scratch. He also said that the chief shouldn’t be so ambitious about what he can or wants to accomplish.
Comm Lingad Ricci said that the Chief is clear there will be a personnel committee meeting to set up goals and objectives for him, and this is a good start to show us what he wants to do.
Comm Stiglich applauded the chief for the list and said she wants to see him accomplish all of those items.
Comm Hale still insisted that the list was too ambitious and unrealistic. He said former chiefs did not have as extensive a list of objectives.
Comm Fetiçō also applauded the chief for the list, but wanted to add the issue of dealing with the new Juvenile Hall facility, on the list, and to implement new ways and not the tired old ways for making that facility better run.
Chief Siffermann acknowledged that he has begun discussing the needs of the new facility, with staff.
Comm Lingad Ricci said that it was unfair to begin comparing the current Chief’s expectations and goals, to previous chiefs and what they chose to do. She applauded the Chief for his activities in reaching out to dept staff, the community, City Hall, and looked forward to continuing improvement and advancement.
Comm Rodriguez echoed Comm Stiglich’s comments. He wanted to know how #9 on his list was influenced by the Civil Grand Jury’s report.
Comm Queen commented that he had the chance to go to Log Cabin Ranch Family Day, with the Chief, and Comm Chuck was there. Comm Queen was impressed that the Chief has been very involved in getting a handle on things needing attention, and said this was an excellent list. The Chief said that while this was a risk, to put all the deficiencies out there, he felt obligated to let the Commission know what he was thinking and doing. He invited the Commission to add what they felt was missing.
Comm Queen also commended the Chief for actually going back to his office late Sunday, after returning from LCR, to continue working.
· report on JDAI
Garry Bieringer asked if the commissioners had any questions about the 2004 stats he sent them, especially relating to special detention cases, and ethnicities. There were none.
They have done 3 days of focus group interviews, with a variety of populations. They are awaiting the report of results, being prepared by the consultant.
The Annie E Casey Foundation held a conference in early May, concentrating on self-inspection of facilities. Setting up benchmarks for evaluating progress/success using DMC as a yardstick.
Comm Hale expressed concern about the self-inspection, whether it is duplication.
(public comments)
there were none.
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