TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Christine Briceño, Director of Human Resources
REPORT BY: Joy Cadiz, Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Departmental Allocation List for the Sheriff’s Office
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Human Resources and Sheriff request adoption of a Resolution amending the Departmental Allocation List for Sheriff’s Office by adding one 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Evidence Specialist, effective December 9, 2023, for recruitment purposes, with a net increase of one 1.0 FTE.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
If approved, this request adds a 1.0 FTE Evidence Specialist the Sheriff’s Office to assist with the resolution of investigation cases.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The Sheriff’s Office is a mandated function. This Evidence Specialist will assist with resolution of investigations, which is included in the mandate. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The additional FTE will provide coverage due to leave status. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Crime scene evidence may not be processed timely and essential investigation cases will not be resolved. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Currently, the Sheriff’s Office Evidence Lab has two 1.0 FTE Evidence Specialists and one extra help Evidence Specialist. The Evidence Lab is responsible for performing a variety of specialized tasks related to crime scene evidence including field and laboratory photographic and technical evidence work. Staff also testify in court as expert witnesses and maintain criminal identification records and evidence. This work is essential to the resolution of Sheriff’s Office investigations’ cases.
Due to employee leaves, there is an immediate need to recruit and hire a 1.0 FTE Evidence Specialist to effectively serve the community. Under the current case workload, the use of an extra-help Evidence Specialist is not sustainable. The net increase in FTE is anticipated to be temporary and the fiscal impact to the General Fund zero because the Sheriff’s Office will not be responsible for funding the 1.0 FTE Evidence Specialist on leave effective January 1, 2024.
Therefore, the Director of Human Resources and the Sheriff request adoption of a Resolution amending the Departmental Allocation List for the Sheriff’s Office by adding one 1.0 FTE Evidence Specialist, effective December 9, 2023.