New report finds problems in Watsonville Police handcuffing, transporting practices

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.