BACKGROUND:
The implementation of AB 109 in 2011, resulted in specified convicted felons and parolees, who were previously monitored and supervised by State Parole, to be supervised by the Riverside County Probation Department. On August 30, 2011, the Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee (CCPEC) of Riverside County voted unanimously on the need for a county-wide law enforcement component to this supervision. Each participating law enforcement agency in Riverside County, formed the infrastructure for this critical enforcement component and created three Post-release Accountability and Compliance Teams (PACT). Currently three PACT teams exist in Riverside County with the East PACT team being housed at the Cathedral City Police Department. These three teams are a county-wide, multi- jurisdictional team comprised of members from each participating organization.
DISCUSSION:
The implementation of AB 109, The Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011, resulted in specified convicted felons and parolees, who were previously monitored by State Parole, to be supervised by the Riverside County Probation Department. On August 30, 2011, the Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee (CCPEC) of Riverside County voted unanimously on the need for a county-wide law enforcement component to this supervision. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Probation and the twelve municipal law enforcement agencies in Riverside County, including the Cathedral City Police Department, have built the infrastructure for this critical enforcement component. The Post-release Accountability and Compliance Team (PACT) is a county-wide, multi- jurisdictional team comprised of members from each of these organizations.
Under the guidance of the Association of Riverside County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff (ARCCOPS), Riverside County formed three (3) separate “regional” teams to address the impacts of the “realignment” of the state’s corrections system through a partnership with the Riverside County Probation Department. The regional teams are identified as WEST-PACT, CENTRAL-PACT and EAST-PACT. Funding to reimburse the cost for participating agencies placing employees on a team comes from the CCPEC funds distributed by Probation.
The Coachella Valley is serviced by the EAST-PACT Team. The EAST-PACT team is comprised of the following agencies: Blythe PD, Cathedral City PD, Desert Hot Springs PD, Indio PD, Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept, and Riverside County Probation.
The Cathedral City Police Department has been a member of the Post-release Accountability and Compliance Team (PACT) since its inception in 2011. The East PACT team is currently supervised by a Cathedral City Police Department Sergeant.
The MOU with Riverside County Probation allows for the reimbursement of supplies, equipment, vehicles and salary up to a specified limit.
The EAST-PACT Team is housed and operated out of the Cathedral City Police Department, providing Cathedral City with a force-multiplier for our community and the Coachella Valley. Currently, the East PACT Team consists of officers from Blythe PD, Indio PD, Desert Hot Springs PD, Cathedral City PD, Riverside County Probation and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Currently. Cathedral City has a Sergeant and a Detective assigned to the team.
The East PACT team has proven to be a vital resource for Cathedral City and surrounding jurisdictions. In 2022, East PACT conducted 947 searches of people on probation or parole and made 207 total arrests. The PACT team seized 31 firearms and recovered 13 stolen vehicles. Year to date in 2023, East PACT has conducted 520 searches of people on probation or parole and made 90 total arrests. The PACT team seized 17 firearms and recovered 1 stolen vehicle.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN: