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New report finds problems in Watsonville Police handcuffing, transporting practices

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WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) - A new grand civil jury in Santa Cruz finds that the Watsonville Police Department have a higher percentage of detaining and transporting arrestees rather than citing and releasing in the field.

The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury's reort titled "Handcuffing and Transport: Can Watsonville Police Reduce Trauma?" took aim at the practices, recommending more training and de-escalation techniques to reduce trauma.

The report adding that since transporting those detained required handcuffs, more people ended up in cuffs even in minor instances, which could be a traumatic event.

When it came to DUI incidents, mobile breathalyzers were also recommended as a de-escalation tactic.

We reached out to Watsonville Police for a statement, which can be read below:

A report released today by the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury takes a close look at how the Watsonville Police Department handles certain arrests and transport procedures.

We’ve worked closely with the Grand Jury throughout their review process and appreciate the time and effort they dedicated to researching this important matter.  

The 17-page report includes several recommendations that require careful consideration. In the coming weeks, our police administrative team will thoroughly review the report.

Our mission, here at the Watsonville Police Department, has always been and continues to be the safety and well-being of our community. We remain committed to building trust, reducing trauma where possible, and maintaining strong relationships with those we serve, while also prioritizing the health and safety of our Officers and Staff.

The report is available at: https://bit.ly/4n5mheq

Watsonville Police are currently preparing a response to the Grand Jury report within the next 30 days.

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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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