Title
Approval of Community Oversight of Law Enforcement Recommendations
Recommended Action
Approve the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement draft recommendations to present to the City Council Community Livability & Public Safety Committee
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement draft recommendations and present to the City Council Community Livability & Public Safety Committee
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Director of Strategic Planning & Performance, Organizational Development and Performance 360.753.8046
Presenters:
Stacey Ray, Director of Strategic Planning and Performance
Background and Analysis
In December 2022, the Olympia City Council accepted a set of recommendations from a community work on how to reimagine public safety for the City of Olympia. To develop those recommendations, the work group listened extensively to the community over the course of a year, and then developed strategies and actions that reflected the needs and desires of a diversity of residents. One of the strategies they identified was to expand the community's role in the City's public safety system.
The City Council asked that the newly formed Social Justice & Equity Commission include in their 2023 work plan development of a recommendation for City Council's consideration on community involvement in law enforcement. The purpose being to ensure the Olympia Police Department is transparent and accountable; fostering confidence and trust through processes that are accessible to all; complaint and use of force investigations that are impartial, thorough, and without bias; and policies, practices, and training that are continuously being improved.
In May 2023, the Social Justice & Equity Commission (Commission) launched a process to develop recommendations in collaboration with a community member work group and Olympia Police Department (OPD) officers. The goal being to ensure the final recommendations are representative of a diversity o...
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