Section 831.7 Of Chapter 4.5. Peace Officers From California Penal Code >> Title 3. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 4.5.
831.7
. (a) As used in this section, a custody assistant is a person
who is a full-time employee, not a peace officer, employed by the
county sheriff's department who assists peace officer personnel in
maintaining order and security in a custody detention, court
detention, or station jail facility of the sheriff's department. A
custody assistant is responsible for maintaining custody of prisoners
and performs tasks related to the operation of a local detention
facility used for the detention of persons usually pending
arraignment or upon court order either for their own safekeeping or
for the specific purpose of serving a sentence therein. Custody
assistants of the sheriff's department shall be employees of, and
under the authority of, the sheriff.
(b) A custody assistant has no right to carry or possess firearms
in the performance of his or her prescribed duties.
(c) Each person described in this section as a custody assistant
shall satisfactorily complete a training course specified by the
sheriff's department. In addition, each person designated as a
custody assistant shall satisfactorily meet the minimum selection and
training standards prescribed by the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation pursuant to Section 6035.
(d) A custody assistant may use reasonable force in establishing
and maintaining custody of persons housed at a local detention
facility, court detention facility, or station jail facility.
(e) Custody assistants employed by the county sheriff's department
are authorized to perform the following additional duties in a
custody facility, court detention facility, or station jail facility:
(1) Assist in supervising the conduct of inmates in sleeping
quarters, during meals and bathing, at recreation, and on work
assignments.
(2) Assist in overseeing the work of, and instructing, a group of
inmates assigned to various operational, maintenance, or other
rehabilitative activities.
(3) Assist in the operation of main or dormitory control booths.
(4) Assist in processing inmates for court appearances.
(5) Control, or assist in the monitoring and control of, access to
attorney rooms and visiting areas.
(6) Fingerprint, photograph, or operate livescan machines with
respect to inmates, or assist in the fingerprinting or photographing
of inmates.
(7) Obtain criminal history information relating to an inmate
including any warrant or other hold, and update classification or
housing information relating to an inmate, as necessary.
(8) Interview inmates and review records related to the
classification process to determine the appropriate security level
for an inmate or the eligibility of an inmate for transfer to another
facility.
(9) Ensure compliance of a custody facility, court detention
facility, or station jail facility with the provisions of Title 15 of
the California Code of Regulations, or with any other applicable
legislative or judicial mandate.
(10) Assist in receiving and processing inmates in a sheriff's
station, court detention area, or type I jail facility.
(11) Secure inmates and their personal property and moneys as
necessary in compliance with the rules and regulations of the sheriff'
s department.
(12) Order, inspect, or serve meals to inmates.
(13) Maintain sanitary conditions within a custody facility, court
detention facility, or station jail facility.
(14) Respond to public inquiries regarding any inmate.
(f) Notwithstanding any other law, nothing in this section shall
be construed to confer any authority upon a custody assistant except
while on duty, or to grant any additional retirement benefits to
persons employed within this classification.
(g) This section shall apply only in a county of the first class,
as established by Sections 28020 and 28022 of the Government Code,
but shall not be operative in a county until adopted by resolution of
the board of supervisors.