The Risk Management Bureau was created in August, 1993 to provide a department-wide coordinated effort in reducing the frequency of preventable accidents, minimizing the loss of Department resources and controlling liability costs. In July, 1994, the Executive Planning Council (E.P.C.) approved a Risk Management Bureau measure that requires divisions and units to develop their own plans and programs to address auto liability, general liability, law enforcement liability and employee safety and workers' compensation issues. The Department's risk management efforts are directed by the Sheriff, Division and the E.P.C. The Executive Risk Management Steering Committee, comprised of a Commander form each Division and chaired by the Undersheriff, oversees the Department's risk management efforts. Divisional Risk Management Committees, chaired by the Commanders who serve on the Executive Committee, consist of risk managers who coordinate the unit level risk management efforts.

Units

Civil Litigation Unit

The Civil Litigation Unit is responsible for promptly handling all civil litigation cases and pending civil claims against the Department. This Unit also works closely with the County Counsel's Office and contract law firms to assist in processing discovery requests, conducting specialized investigations, processing civil claims, training personnel and responding to inquires regarding civil liability.

Claim for Damages Form

Corrective Action Unit

The Corrective Action Unit is comprised of many components: Corrective Action program, the Manuals and Orders Unit, Performance Mentoring Program, and the Risk Impact Unit. The Corrective Action Unit is tasked with identification and analysis of risk-related law enforcement activities and in the development of plans, programs and policies to prevent or mitigate risk.

Discovery Unit

The Discovery Unit is divided into two sections: (1) Discovery, and (2) Personnel Performance Index (PPI) Administration. The Discovery Section handles Pitchess/Brady/Vela Motions, Public Record Act Requests, and State and Federal Grand Jury Requests. The Personnel Performance Index (PPI) Administration Section handles Preliminary Data Entry (PDE), Reported Use of Force Packages, Service Comment Report Packages, and assign PPI User Privileges.

Health and Safety Unit

The Health and Safety Unit is responsible for coordinating efforts to minimize risk and protect our personnel and financial resources when Department members become injured or ill. The Unit processes industrial injury and illness cases and provides 24 hour a day assistance to Department members and families in the event of death or serious injury/illness. The Unit also administers a proactive Return-To-Work Program and maintains liaison with the employee, the unit of assignment, County Counsel, EOS, and the Retirement Board.

RMB Operations

Operations works in support Risk Management Bureau's various units: Civil Litigation Unit, Corrective Action Unit, Discovery Unit, Health and Safety Unit, and the Traffic Services Detail. In addition, Operations oversees the operations staff, which routinely liaisons with Department personnel, County Counsel, contract attorney firms, outside attorneys, courts, the public sector, inmates (over-detentions), outside agencies seeking our expertise, the media, and Leadership and Training Division staff.

Traffic Services Detail

The Traffic Services Detail (TSD) investigates all on-duty employee-related traffic collisions that result in complaint of pain, injury, death, or high value property damage. TSD presents all formal traffic-related training, develops traffic-related policies and procedures, coordinates the Commercial Enforcement Program, provides technical assistance to all Sheriff's Department units and outside agencies, collects and disseminates Department traffic statistics and maintains liaison with other traffic agencies.