2005-2006 GRAND JURY REPORT
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
Corrections Division
Background
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has the responsibility to
maintain the County’s detention (jail) facilities.
The mission statement of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department
Corrections Division states in part, “…to serve and protect the citizens
of Riverside County and the State of California, by detaining the people
under its supervision in a safe and secure environment, while
providing for their humane care, custody and control.”
At present, there are five jail facilities within the county:
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Robert Presley Detention Center
Southwest Detention Center
Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility
Indio Jail Facility
Blythe Jail Facility

The 2005-06 budget for the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Corrections
Division is $106,808,762, which includes a total of 1,064
authorized/funded positions.
To determine compliance with General Orders 1 (G.O.) and California
Code of Regulations Title 15, the Grand Jury conducted a random
review of Use of Force Reports and tracking of inmate movement
between facilities.

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The policies, rules and regulations of the Sheriff’s Department are known as General Orders.

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Findings
1.

A review of Use of Force Report and Use of Force Witness Report
(RSD Forms 553 and 553-B) files reflected that many had not
been accurately completed. Incident dates differed from those
referenced in the reporting deputies’ narratives. Details in the
witness report forms did not always match the primary reports.
Inaccuracies in these reports were not addressed when reviewed
and signed by supervisors.

2.

Medical assessment or treatment was not provided to some
inmates who had been exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper
spray).

3.

One responsibility of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) is to
assign a team member to video record all use of force incidents.
The retention period for these files, including the video record, is
current year plus five years. ERT videotapes were often missing
in the Use of Force documentation files.

4.

Custody Transfer/Transportation Orders (RSD Form 533) were
missing pertinent information. These orders did not reflect a
complete history of inmate(s) movement(s) between Riverside
County jail facilities.

5.

Correctional deputies are allowed to work overtime at other
Riverside County jail facilities where G.O. procedures may differ.

Recommendations
Riverside County Board of Supervisors
Riverside County Sheriff
1.

The Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Department adhere to
California Code of Regulations Title 15, article 1.5, §3268.1(a),
which requires (1) “An employee who uses or observes nondeadly force…shall document that fact.” and (2) “The employee’s
immediate supervisor shall review the document to ensure that it
is adequately prepared…”

2.

Inmates receive treatment by medical staff after exposure to
Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray). In the absence of medical
staff, custody/corrections staff provide treatment (G.O. 503.04).

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3.

Any time the ERT is deployed to an incident requiring the use of
force, the episode be video recorded and maintained according
to established procedure (G.O. 503.09).

4.

Correctional deputies assigned to transferring and transporting
of inmates to “…be familiar with transfer requirements and
paperwork.” (G.O. 510.03)

5.

Correctional deputies working overtime in other Riverside County
jail facilities demonstrate a working knowledge of that facility’s
G.O. prior to the authorization of overtime.

Report Issued: 04/27/06
Report Public: 05/01/06
Response Due: 07/27/06

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