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age 1 of 4
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eptember 27, 2024 Via Email:
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[email protected]
H
arry Black, City Manager
City of Stockton
425 N. El Dorado St.
Stockon, CA 95202
C
ITY OF STOCKTON 2nd FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO 2023 -24 SAN J OAQUIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT “SECOND LOOK - 2018-2019 SAN
JOAQUIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT ON COLD CASES IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY: ON THE BACK BURNER” CASE # 0318________________ T
he City of Stockton received the above-named Grand Jury report on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, when the Civil Grand Jury posted the revised copy of the 2023-2024 full and final report on its website. In accordance with Sections 933 and 933.05 of the California Penal Code, specific responses to all findings and recommendations contained in the report are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the San Joaquin County Superior Court within 90 days of receipt of the report . As such, the City of Stockton Police De partment offers the following responses to the 2023- 2024 Civil Grand Jury’s second look into the 2018-2019 report titled “Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner” Case # 0318.
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n August of 2024, with motion 2024- 08-20-1210 the City of Stockton, and the Stockton City Council accept ed the 2023-24 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Second Look Report titled “Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner” Case # 0318 and acknowledge Finding F1.0 contained within. This same action also approved the City’s first response to the report, dated August 15, 2024, and attached to the current item as Attachment B.
The C
ity of Stockton Police Department offers the following responses to the 2018-19 Grand Jury recommendations. These responses will be presented to the Council for consideration and approval during its public meeting on October 1, 2024. If approved, the City Manager will submit SPD’s second, follow -up response to the Grand Jury Case No. 0318 on behalf of the City and Council.
POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
22 E. Weber Ave Stockton, CA 95202-1951 209 / 937-8217 Fax 209 / 937-8894 www.stocktonca.gov
ATTACHMENT C
Recommendations & Responses:
R1.0 By October 1, 2024, all Law Enforcement Agencies review and implement the recommendations from the 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury Report “Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner” Case #0318.
CITY RESPONSE:
The respondent has reviewed the 2018- 2019 Civil Grand Jury Report “Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner” Case #0318, previously submitted responses, current policy and practice, and provides the following response to each of the recommendations contained therein.
R1: 2018-2 019
Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County develop a plan to define, prioritize, and digitally track cold case investigations no later than December 31, 2019. Prioritization will emphasize available physical evidence and utilize emerging DNA testing techniques.
CITY RESPONSE:
As provided in the 2019 response, the respondent agrees with this recommendation. The Stockton Police Department (SPD) defines cold case investigations as open cases in which all workable investigative leads have been exhausted. The SPD places the highest priority on safeguarding the lives of all those in the community we serve.
The SPD also remains committed to being on the cutting edge of technology.
Accordingly, the SPD will place the highest priority on cold cases in which there has been a loss of life and where physical and/or forensic evidence that can be analyzed exists. The SPD will also place a priority on other types of cold cases in which physical and/or forensic evidence exists. The SPD tracks the status of their cases in its Tiburon Records Management System.
R2: 2018-2
019
Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County expands their definition of “cold case” to include missing persons with suspicious circumstances, and sexual assault (forcible rape and attempted rape), in addition to homicide no later than December 31, 2019.
CITY RESPONSE:
As in 2019 , the respondent agrees with this recommendation. The SPD’s current definition of “cold case” includes all the above types of cases, including missing persons with suspicious circumstances and sexual assault (forcible rape and attempted rape), in addition to homicide.
R5: 2018-2
019
The City of Stockton utilizes budget options and staffing reassignments as necessary to provide the equivalent of at least three full-time Police Detectives
ATTACHMENT C
dedicated solely to cold case investigations no later than December 31, 2019.
CITY RESPONSE:
The respondent partially agrees with this recommendation. Immediately following the 2014 passage of Measure A, the SPD developed a long- range staffing expansion plan to replenish the sworn positions lost during the financial crisis and municipal bankruptcy , which included replenishing staff within the Investigations Division . Due to unforeseen circumstances, along with some anticipated attrition, a number of staff continue to be redeployed from investigative units to Field Operations/ Patrol.
The SPD currently has two part -time assignments dedicated to cold case investigations. In addition, the SPD’s team of twenty -four investigators assigned to active cases are all trained on cold case investigative techniques and work with the cold cases staff to appropriately monitor and transition cases to active status as new, workable leads are discovered.
With the reauthorization of Measure A in 2024, the SPD continues to remain committed to recruitment and retention, whic h includes consideration of dedicated full-time staff assignments like cold case investigations, as the strategic staffing plans allows, however these particular assignments have yet to happen due to many new hires still in training.
R8: 2018-2
019
Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County signs a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the newly formed Cold Case Task Force no later than March 31, 2020.
CITY RESPONSE:
The respondent partially agrees with this recommendation. The SPD will review and earnestly consider joining any new regional cold case task force, within our available capacity and resources. The SPD believes this type of task force is most effectively used for those cases which cross jurisdictional boundaries.
R10: 2018-201
9 Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County develops a procedure and practice for maintaining periodic contact with family members of cold case victims no later than March 31, 2020.
CITY RESPONSE:
The respondent agrees with this recommendation. The SPD currently maintains a database of all homicide cases and ensures contact is made with the primary family liaison on a regular basis. Specifically, the SPD contacts the primary family liaison no less than once a month for no less than one year. The SPD maintains monthly contact with the primary family liaison beyond that timeframe if the case remains active. Once the case is deemed “cold,” the primary family liaison is advised , and the SPD continues to maintain contact
ATTACHMENT C
with the primary family liaison no less than once per year. The SPD plans to institute this same basic strategy on other types of cold cases once adequate staffing is realized.
R1.2 By October 1, 2024, the task force should be formed and implemented with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s office as the lead agency.
CITY RESPONSE:
The SPD will review and consider joining any new regional task force, within our available capacity and resources. The SPD believes this type of task force is most effectively used for those cases which cross jurisdictional boundaries. (previously submitted as part of SPD’s August 15, 2024 response)
Respectfully,
STANLEY MCFADDEN
CHIEF OF POLICE
ATTACHMENT C