By CSLEA Supervising Counsel Dave De La Riva

PORTERVILLE – The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) took the opportunity to meet with Department of Developmental Services (DDS) management staff on April 16, 2024, at the Porterville Developmental Center. Attending the meeting representing CSLEA were Legal Counsel David De La Riva, Hospital Police Association of California (HPAC) Board Members Ezra Cosby and Irvin Leyva and Porterville Peace Officers/Site Representatives Armon Estrada and Tom Lopez.

The meeting was called in order to address officer safety concerns due to the management decision to reduce Peace Officer operational staff from six officers to five officers during the hours from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., beginning May 1.

Officers at this 24/7 facility are required to respond to psychiatric emergencies in controlling severely combative patients. For instance, the Porterville secure treatment program houses individuals who have been committed due to assaults, sexual and other criminal offenses and drug abuse. 

CSLEA emphasized during the meeting session that a full or complete staffing presence will often act as a deterrent to patients who might otherwise act out or engage in unlawful activities. 

The day before the meeting, a Porterville patient attempted an escape during an on-grounds transport during which, only one officer was assigned to perform the task. Therefore, CSLEA reiterated its concerns that with fewer officers assigned to work between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., it is very likely that an officer will be called upon to assist another officer or clinical staff member in distress, potentially without the back up that should normally be present.

Officers are also responsible for ensuring that contraband is not entering the secure treatment area through the facility’s pedestrian reception center. At one point in time, there were three officers assigned to cover the Porterville reception center post. During the overnight hours, the staffing will be down to one officer who is responsible for monitoring a metal detector, checking staff identification and checking bags.

CSLEA is encouraged by the commitment by Porterville command staff that it will continue to attempt to fill the sixth overnight position via overtime and that DDS is actively recruiting to try and fill its vacancy rate which currently stands at over 40%.  CSLEA will continue to monitor the situation and push for as much shift coverage as possible for the safety of its officers and the rest of the Porterville staff.