Title
Discussion of the 2023 Draft Police Auditor Annual Report
Recommended Action
No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss the 2023 Draft Police Auditor Annual Report.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, Office of Strategic Initiatives 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Stacey Ray, Director of Strategic Planning and Performance
Rich Allen, Police Chief
Tara Parker, Police Auditor, Clarity Investigations and Consulting, PLLC
Kathryn Olson, Change Integration Consulting
Background and Analysis:
In 2022, the City Council requested that the Social Justice and Equity Commission advise the Council on Community Oversight of Law Enforcement (COLE). As a result, the Commission undertook the work of evaluating the City’s current oversight model. The Commission is actively working with a Community Workgroup and Olympia Police Department (OPD) to put forward a recommendation to Council that builds on the current system of community involvement and oversight in policing.
Elements of the draft recommendations include defining roles and responsibilities for the Police Auditor and a Community Board. It is proposed that the Police Auditor engage with a Community Board to share an overview of misconduct complaint investigations, use of force incidents and recommendations so Board members can learn, ask questions, share concerns and provide the community’s perspective regarding recommendations.
The City’s Civilian Police Auditor has finalized the draft 2023 Annual Report. Subsequently, the Social Justice and Equity Commission has a unique opportunity to “test” some elements of the draft COLE recommendations while still in the process of developing them.
The meeting will be structured based on the draft recommendation, whereby the Police Chief will share an overview of the Department’s 2023 calls for service, activities, and accomplishments; the Police Auditor will provide an overview of misconduct complaints, use of force incident reports audited and recommendations for operational, training, or policy changes to OPD; and the Commission will share their community perspective regarding the recommendations with the Auditor. The Police Auditor will incorporate the feedback from the Commission, finalize the report and forward it to the City Council, City Manager and Police Chief. The final report will also be posted on the City’s website.
This experience, along with the results of the community survey available on Engage Olympia until March 11 and the final of two large group work sessions with community participants and representatives from OPD on April 13, will inform the Commission’s recommendation on Community Oversight of Law Enforcement.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
Community groups, especially those most impacted by policing and underrepresented community groups have requested a civilian/community member oversight model. Having the commission provide oversight to the Auditor will help represent community needs and interests with the goal of building trust and legitimacy in the City’s public safety system.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Response to the Neighborhood/Community Interests section is answered within the Equity Analysis statement.
Options:
1. Have the discussion.
2. Do not have the discussion.
3. Have the discussion at another time.
Financial Impact:
The City Council appropriated $150,000 for the Police Auditor in the 2024 operating budget.
Attachments:
Police Auditor Draft 2023 Annual Report