The Bargaining Unit 7 Memorandum of Understanding includes language that allows for the formation of a Task Force to explore issuing peace officer staff with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) firearms while performing certain duties at DDS facilities in Porterville (Porterville Developmental Center) and in Cathedral City (Canyon Springs Community Facility). On June 26, 2025, CSLEA Supervising Legal Counsel David De La Riva and Peace Officer I Adrian Venegas met with representatives from DDS in a Task Force meet and greet session.  

During the meeting, the parties outlined the safety issues which DDS Peace Officer Is and Investigator staff confront on a daily basis.

DDS Peace Officer Is and Investigators work under Penal Code sections 830.38 and 830.3, respectively. Each of those sections gives the Director of DDS the option to arm DDS peace officer staff who occupy these two job classifications while on-duty. While performing their duties which include patrolling facility grounds while in Code 3 emergency vehicles and transporting facility patients to court and medical appointments while in uniform, these peace officers do so while unarmed. Also discussed was the creation of a firearms policy for peace officer staff, required use-of-force training, the potential for less-than-lethal use-of-force options, as well as mutual aid agreements that are currently in effect.  

CSLEA came away from the meeting encouraged by the exchange of ideas as DDS Office of Protective Services Chief Brandon Straw maintained his commitment to advancing talks associated with making the work place as safe as possible for DDS peace officer staff.

“CSLEA understands the financial commitment that it will take to train and equip DDS peace officer staff in the upcoming months and years, however this type of investment in the safety and security of Bargaining Unit 7 peace officers is long overdue” said De La Riva.