Report 2012-107 Recommendation 6 Responses

Report 2012-107: Developmental Centers: Poor-Quality Investigations, Outdated Policies, Leadership and Staffing Problems, and Untimely Licensing Reviews Put Residents at Risk (Release Date: July 2013)

Recommendation #6 To: Developmental Services, Department of

As soon as possible, the department should hire a permanent OPS director and permanent OPS commanders that are highly qualified staff capable of performing the administrative functions these positions require.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2014

As reported in the six-month response to this recommendation, the Department entered into an Interagency Agreement with the California Highway Patrol for Kenneth Hill to serve as the Director of the Office of Protective Services (OPS). With all OPS command positions filled, as reported in the one-year response, all positions covered by this recommendation are now filled.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

1-Year Agency Response

The external candidate who had previously been tentatively selected to be the commander at Sonoma DC did not successfully complete the hiring process. With no other viable candidates for the position, DDS entered into a renewed two-year Interagency Agreement with the CHP for a CHP Lieutenant to serve as the Commander at Sonoma DC. Lieutenant Aaron Goulding was appointed as the Commander of Sonoma DC on April 1, 2014.

DDS also entered into a two-year Interagency Agreement with the CHP for a CHP Captain to serve as the Commander at Porterville DC. Captain Eric Jennings was appointed as the Commander of Porterville DC on May 1, 2014.

Currently all OPS command positions are filled.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented

Although filling all command positions is important, Developmental Services also needs to hire a permanent OPS director to fully satisfy this recommendation.

6-Month Agency Response

DDS is implementing this recommendation. DDS entered into a two-year Interagency Agreement for a CHP Chief to lead OPS. Kenneth Hill was appointed Chief of OPS on July 22, 2013. Before the end of the two-year contract period, DDS will renew recruitment efforts for this position.

As reported previously, the Department had tentatively selected an individual for the Commander position at Porterville DC; however, the candidate did not successfully complete the hiring/background process.

To enhance hiring efforts, DDS entered into a contract with Cooperative Personnel Services to develop and implement an assessment center examination for the Commander classification (Supervising Special Investigator II). The examination was administered in November 2013, and the certification list was published on November 25, 2013, with 13 candidates on the list. Interviews were held on December 9, 2013, to fill three vacancies (Fairview, Porterville and Sonoma DCs). One candidate from within OPS was selected for the position at Fairview DC: David Corral was appointed on January 1, 2014. A background investigation was initiated on an external candidate tentatively selected for Sonoma DC. There were no viable candidates for Porterville DC, so further recruitment is necessary.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

DDS is implementing this recommendation. The Department initiated an extensive nationwide recruitment for the Chief of OPS, including notifications sent to all California and national law enforcement organizations. After completing this review, the Department entered into a two-year Interagency Agreement for a CHP Chief to lead the OPS. Kenneth Hill, appointed Chief of OPS on July 22, 2013, brings over 24 years of experience with the CHP including assignments in the Office of the Commissioner and the Office of Internal Affairs. Most recently he served as the acting commander of the CHP's Valley Division, providing leadership to 20 CHP commands and over 900 employees. Before the end of the two-year contract period, DDS will renew recruitment efforts for this position.

Additionally, Sonoma DC has an Interagency Agreement with the CHP for a Captain and Lieutenant to provide OPS law enforcement leadership at the facility. The Department conducted hiring interviews for the remaining two vacant Commander positions and has selected an individual for the Commander position at Porterville DC, who is currently going through a background investigation.

The Department will continue its efforts to fill leadership positions when vacancies occur. To enhance recruitment efforts, DDS entered into a contract with Cooperative Personnel Services to develop and implement an assessment center, similar to what is used by the CHP and the Department of Justice, for the examination process of the Commanders and first-level OPS supervisory positions. Upon completion, this process will be used to fill the remaining Commander vacancies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2012-107

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.