Professional Standards Division
The Professional Standards Division is located within the Administrative Services Bureau and is comprised of one Police Commander, three Police Sergeants, two Administrative Services Assistants, and two part-time employees. Two Sergeants are assigned to the Internal Affairs 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 Unit
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.
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 Unit
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.
Peer Support Team
The primary objectives of the Peer Support Team (PST) are to provide assistance, support, and resources to employees and direct family members during difficult times in their personal and professional lives.
The PST is comprised of over 15 team members who are both sworn and civilian from various positions in the Department. The PST operates under the direct supervision of Dr. Lawrence Blum and team members are provided quarterly training by Dr. Blum in the “Psychological Debriefing Technique” that he developed. Team members respond to the scene or to the station after a traumatic incident for the purpose of debriefing involved employees to facilitate the understanding and expression of feelings during the traumatic event, and to prevent symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Team members are also available 24-7 for any employee in need of assistance.