Efficient and Effective Public Service through Good Management

By Loralee H. "Lori" Cervantes

The basic responsibility of all divisions of the office, Coroner, Public Administrator and Public Guardian, is investigation. The office requires a leader with knowledge of investigation and strong management skills.

Employed within each division are trained investigative and support staff, fully capable of conducting and supporting top notch investigations. The Coroner's Division employs two excellent Forensic Pathologists who conduct autopsies when necessary based upon a death investigation. The decision about whether an autopsy should or should not be performed is a team effort and discussion between the pathologists, the investigators and the Coroner based upon the facts determined during the medical-legal investigation.

The Coroner/Public Administrator must be an individual with a thorough knowledge of investigation combined with strong management skills to assure that all divisions of the office work in unison and harmony; that staff has the tools and equipment to effectively perform their jobs; that provides professional and policy direction based upon a through knowledge of the department; that can advocate for funds and recognition to assure that the department's services can be performed in the safest, most efficient manner possible for the benefit of the public; and that in the Coroner Divison, the medical and investigative portions of the office work together to uncover the legal and medical cause of death.

Last, I believe that strong investigation skills and management experience are essential to the job of Coroner/Public Administrator - Public Guardian since the elected position is the job of providing management, leadership and direction for the department as a whole.