Professional Standards Division
The Professional Standards Division is located within the Administrative Services Bureau and is comprised of one Police Commander, four Police Sergeants, two Administrative Services Assistants, and two part-time employees. Two Sergeants are assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit and one Sergeant is assigned to the Audits and Inspections Unit. One Sergeant, the two Administrative Service Assistants, and the two part-time employees are assigned to the Personnel and Training Unit. The Division is responsible for a variety of administrative duties including, training, recruiting, hiring, facility maintenance, promotional processes, internal affairs, audits, statistics, concealed weapons permits, and Department ceremonies. The Professional Standards Commander reports directly to the Administrative Services Bureau Chief and is responsible for the overall management of the Division.
Internal Affairs
The primary objective of the Internal Affairs Unit is to ensure the highest level of professionalism among the employees of the Oxnard Police Department. A key aspect in achieving this objective is to investigate complaints of misconduct against members and employees in a fair and objective manner. Every effort is made to be completely fair with all concerned persons. Prompt and fair disposition of complaints is not only essential to good discipline and morale, but is also a vital part of maintaining the respect and confidence of the community. Properly conducting and handling an investigation is of utmost importance to an investigator in accomplishing the above objective.
Audits and Inspections
The primary objective of the Audits and Inspections Unit is to conduct audits and inspections on Department units, procedures, and processes identified by Command Staff. The purpose of an audit or inspection is to report as to the operation of the subject, assist in directing resources, assess risk, and make recommendations to improve efficiency and reduce/eliminate exposure to liability.
Other duties include tracking statistics on use of force incidents and providing analysis and demographic information and maintaining a spreadsheet of information related to internal affairs investigations which tracks specific information such as allegations, involved officers, disposition of cases, and penalties associated with sustained cases.
Personnel and Training
The primary objective of the Personnel and Training Unit is to recruit, test, and hire highly-qualified applicants, administer and track training for current employees, and to process and track work related injuries. The Personnel and Training Unit is also tasked with a wide variety of responsibilities including, facility maintenance, equipment issuance, promotional processes, concealed weapons permits, and Department ceremonies.
Trauma Support Team
The primary objectives of the Trauma Support Team (TST) are to provide comfort and support for the physical and emotional health needs of employees involved in a traumatic event, to facilitate the understanding and expression of feelings during the traumatic event, and to prevent symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The TST is comprised of two Sergeants, four Police Officers, and five civilians from various positions in the Department. The TST operates under the direct supervision of Dr. Lawrence Blum and are provided quarterly training by Dr. Blum in the “Psychological Debriefing Technique” that he developed. The TST members respond to the scene or to the station after a traumatic incident for the purpose of diagnosing symptoms of PTSD. Team members are protected under privileged communication and they in turn report to Dr. Blum and report findings and discuss follow up.
In 2015, members of the TST provided a presentation to the post-academy graduates in April. Five members attended a two-day suicide prevention training class hosted by the Oxnard Fire Department in September. There were four mandatory TST meetings for each quarter which consisted of reviewing the basics of PTSD, the goals and objectives of a TST response/debrief, and role-play scenarios.