DAPO PUSHES INNOVATION AND RECRUITMENT

In an ongoing effort to fill parole agent positions, the Parole Agent I exam was administered on October 16, 2010 with more than 4,000 potential candidates submitting applications during the one-day “file in person” recruitment effort. Results are expected to be released sometime this month. The volume of applicants for a "one day" open recruitment was unprecedented and inspiring. Potential candidates with years of experience are applying from a number of disciplines. To accommodate anticipated new hires, a Basic Parole Agent Academy will begin January 3, 2011, for 80 parole agent cadets

In another development, the parole division will replace its Smith and Wesson 9 mm firearms with newer, superior Smith and Wesson M&P .40-caliber handguns. The new firearm provides more flexibility and user comfort, including an improved safety and magazine disconnect feature.

FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM INITIATED

In its continuing effort to enhance professional standards, the Division of Adult Parole Operations has implemented its long awaited Field Training Officer (FTO) program beginning March of 2011.

Every law enforcement agency in California (and most throughout the United States) utilizes a field training officer program for its academy graduates and probationary employees. While most academies do a great job of teaching tactical, ethical or core components of the law, the real test is in the field under actual conditions. That practical learning environment should be under the experienced and watchful eye of a trained "lead agent" that can correct mistakes and also assist supervisors with probationary evaluations.

The FTO selection process will begin within the next few weeks and after selection, staff will attend a California POST accredited FTO school. Field Training Officers will be responsible for guiding trainees through a curriculum that requires blending knowledge, skills and the good judgment to know when, where and how to apply them. Upon graduation from the Basic Parole Agent Academy, new parole agents will be assigned an FTO for 10 weeks prior to assuming a caseload.

“An agent who becomes a Field Training Officer must commit himself or herself to the philosophy of the FTO. Training is as much about commitment as it is about proficiency and professionalism,” said DAPO Director Ambroselli. “It’s about motivating and training in a manner that is meaningful and unforgettable. It’s about caring for your profession, having passion for it, and conveying that passion to everyone, most prominently to your trainees.”

WAY TO GO DAPO!

Parole Agents Arrest Nearly 580 Sex Offender Parolees

California Parolee Apprehension Teams (CPAT) Coordinate with 140 Partner Agencies to Track, Search, Cyber-monitor and Capture Sex Offenders throughout the state.

Beginning July of 2010 specialized teams comprised of CPAT agents, more than 140 local, state and federal agencies and the Division of Adult Parole Operations agents coordinated their efforts to track, ensure compliance and arrest sex offender parolees who violated their parole.
"Operation Safe Playground" will run through January of 2011 and has proven to be an extremely effective exercise in capturing sex offender absconders and ensuring parolees are complying with their special conditions of parole.

Since July, parole agents and their law enforcement partners have conducted 1,276 parole and probation searches statewide, and arrested 579 sex offenders, 233 of whom were parolees-at-large.

This week alone – as part of California’s Special Enforcement Week – CPAT and its partner agencies have arrested nearly 350 sex offenders for the following offenses or violations:

Parolees-at-large 233
Child pornography 9
Pornography 87
Possession of drugs 46
Possession of weapons 36
Possession of contraband 131

Congratulations on such a successful operation and keeping communities safe by returning offenders that pose a risk to the community back to custody!

CALIFORNIA PAROLE APPREHENSION TEAMS

On September 1, 2009 DAPO established and implemented the California Parole Apprehension Teams (CPAT) as part of the Governor's parole reforms. The team members were selected and trained in fugitive apprehension techniques, the use of sophisticated software for searching thousands of databases, social networking sites and other electronic media.

Unique to this endeavor was the creation of Regional Intelligence Units that were staffed and equipped with specialized hardware and software to look for offenders throughout the United States. These Intelligence Units are staffed with highly trained staff that spend countless hours establishing leads to locate the offenders so the agents can spend time on the streets following up on the leads.

To date, these highly effective teams have been responsible for the locating, arresting, or closure due to imprisonment or death of more that 2,000 parolees at large. Their dedication to DAPO's mission of public safety by returning these offenders to parole supervision is paramount and a testament to the commitment the division has to protecting the public.

For examples of parolees captured and for the history of the Division of Adult Parole Operations efforts to capture parolees-at-large, visit the department’s web site at www.cdcr.ca.gov or visit the intranet at: http://intranet/opec/Lists/CDCR%20Today/CDCR%20Today.aspx

Electronic Monitoring Devices

The Electronic In-Home Detention (EID) program was originally established to enable Parole
Agents the ability to monitor a parolee’s compliance with the imposition of curfew restrictions. With the passage of SB 18 (3x) DAPO received additional funding to place 1,500 offenders on EID as an alternative sanction.

On November 15, 2010 DAPO began placing offenders on EID as an alternative sanction working toward the goal of placing the required offenders necessary to meet that goal.

---------------------------DAPO REACHES ITS GOAL FOR EID--------------------------

On November 1, 2010 DAPO reached its goal of 1,500 offenders on EID. Congratulations to the hard working DAPO staff for yet another milestone reached in our 5 Year Road Map!!!!!

GPS for Gang Members

The Division of Adult Parole Operations began implementing a second component of the “DAPO Roadmap” this year by expanding its use of Global Positioning System (GPS) for gang members. Consistent with the requirements of SB 18 (3x), DAPO began placing the most serious gang members on active 20:1 caseloads earlier this year.

The program will require the division to strap 1,000 gang members on 50 caseloads to be evenly distributed to the four parole regions. The GPS gang program shall be restricted to parolees that have been identified as having a history of gang involvement, activity or association. DAPO will work with its law enforcement partners to identify the parolees for placement.

Region I recently enacted “Operation Zero Tolerance” where more than 250 gang members were targeted for contact and 80 were fitted with the GPS devices. For video footage please click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBXt2qU2r-s

Currently, DAPO has more than 24,000 parolees with a special condition that relates to “no gang association.”

-----------------------------------------DAPO REACHES ITS GOAL------------------------

On October 1, 2010, DAPO reached its goal of placing all 1,000 gang members on Active GPS supervision. This important goal not only provides law enforcement with valuable information, it protects the community by restricting serious gang member movement and further empowers agents with the information necessary to closely monitor their activity in the community.

DAPO Graduates First Unit Supervisor Academy

On May 28, 2010 the Division of Adult Parole Operations graduated it first Unit Supervisor academy. This course is a three week academy that gives first line supervisors a solid foundation to start their management careers. The academy consisted of general supervision courses, parole field operations and computer courses.

The skills and knowledge from this academy will assist our managers in facing the day-to-day challenges of supervising a parole unit within the community. Eventually, all unit supervisors will attend the academy taking approximately 18 months to complete. The classes will be comprised of newly promoted and experience supervisors to also add varying levels of experience and dialogue.

Congratulations to the first alumni!