Title
2022 Police Auditor Annual Report Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the 2022 Police Auditor Annual Report.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the 2022 Police Auditor Annual Report.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Tara Parker, Police Auditor, Clarity Investigations & Consulting
Parfait Bassalé, Social Justice and Equity Commission Co-Chair
Genevieve Chan, Social Justice and Equity Commission Co-Chair
Background and Analysis:
The purpose of the Police Auditor is to “provide an independent review and audit of investigations of complaints about the Police Department and/or its employees” in order to increase public trust and confidence in the professional accountability systems of the Police Department.”
The Police Auditor is selected and retained by the City Council. The City Council contracts with Tara Parker of Clarity Investigations & Consulting for police auditor services. Ms. Parker will present the 2022 Annual Report to the City Council which covers incidents between January 1 and December 31, 2022.
The Annual Report includes: the number and types of use of force reports that have been audited; the number and types of complaint investigations recorded by the Office of Professional Standards that have been audited; findings; observations; and recommendations for improvements to Department policies and practices. The Police Auditor will provide Council a briefing on the report.
The Social Justice and Equity Commission reviewed the Draft 2022 Annual Report. Their comments were forwarded to the Police Auditor for her consideration. The Commission Co-Chairs will share a summary of their comments with the City Council.
The report is posted on the City’s Police Oversight webpage.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
Part of the Police Auditor’s duties and responsibilities is to examine uses of force, complaint investigations, and public demonstration responses to determine whether there is evidence of unlawful bias or civil rights violations. The Auditor also summarizes statistics including type of use of force, subject demographics, and indications of bias. The Auditor analyzes this information to recommend revisions to policy, procedures, and training to eliminate bias in policing.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community is interested in improving transparency and accountability by using a Civilian Police Auditor to provide an independent review of investigations and complaints against the Olympia Police Department.
Financial Impact:
The City Council appropriated $200,000 to cover Police Auditor Services in 2023.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing on the 2022 Police Auditor Annual Report.
2. Do not receive a briefing on the 2022 Police Auditor Annual Report.
3. Receive the briefing at another time.
Attachments:
2022 Police Auditor Annual Report