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CDCR details revised staff-complaint process and a new centralized allegation resolution unit
Summary
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told an Assembly subcommittee that it has revised staff-complaint procedures to centralize screening, expand investigative units and add a centralized allegation resolution unit intended to improve consistency and reduce bias in staff-misconduct investigations.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation described a redesigned staff-complaint process at an Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 hearing, saying the changes aim to improve consistency, limit bias and speed investigatory decisions.
David Criss, deputy director of CDCR's Office of Internal Affairs, outlined emergency regulations and policy changes that CDCR implemented beginning in 2020 and continuing through January 2025. "CDCR staff misconduct processes were designed with the goals of eliminating bias, increasing transparency, and improving staff accountability by addressing allegations of staff misconduct submitted from all sources," Criss said.
Key elements CDCR described include a centralized screening team that routes allegations to either local routine review or to the Office of Internal Affairs for investigation; an allegation investigation unit (AIU) that conducts investigations; and a new centralized allegation resolution unit intended to review investigations and produce consistent decision-making across institutions. CDCR said it has also updated the department's allegation decision index and created a multidisciplinary grievance team to meet with frequent grievants and resolve issues when appropriate.
CDCR added special circumstances allowing closure of investigations when video evidence "clearly proves or refutes a claim," and said it plans to implement audits and new investigator training certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The department also said it added reasonable-accommodation requests to administrative remedies rules.
Lawmakers and oversight officials pressed CDCR on how the revised process will handle cases meriting criminal referral, how often reviews are audited, and what protections exist for complainants against retaliation. Assemblymember Schultz and others requested detailed follow-up about when CDCR refers matters to district attorney offices and how CDCR preserves complainant safety during investigations.
Discussion versus decisions: CDCR presented regulatory and administrative reforms in testimony; no formal approvals were required during the hearing. Committee members asked for ongoing updates and data to measure whether the reforms reduce bias and increase timely, consistent outcomes.
Ending: CDCR officials said the department will continue refining the process, collaborate with the OIG and provide follow-up auditing and implementation details to the committee.
