Title
Draft 2026 Police Auditor Semi-Annual Report
Recommended Action
Move to approve a comment letter for the draft 2026 Police Auditor Semi-Annual Report to be forwarded to the City Council with the Police Auditor’s final report.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a comment letter for the draft 2026 Police Auditor Semi-Annual Report to be forwarded to the City Council with the Police Auditor’s final report.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales Community Engagement Program Specialist, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
Shelby Parker, Police Chief
Stephen Connolly, Police Auditor, OIR Group
Michael Gennaco, Police Auditor, OIR Group
Sam Pailca, Police Auditor, OIR Group
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist
Background and Analysis:
n July 2024 the City Council accepted recommendations from the Social Justice and Equity Commission on Community Oversight of Law Enforcement. Included in the recommendations are that the Civilian Police Auditor (Auditor) will meet regularly with an established 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.
In March 2025 Council approved amendments to the Olympia Municipal Code to establish a Community Policing Board. During the recruitment and selection process for the Community Policing Board, the Police Use of Force Community Representatives received briefings from the Police Chief and Auditor and provided community perspectives on the Auditor’s draft 2024 Annual Report.
March 12, 2026 the Board had its first meeting with the Auditor and Police Chief. Board members received an update on Police Department operations and reviewed the Auditor’s annual draft report to provide feedback. Input from the Community Policing Board was considered by the Auditor before finalizing their 2025 Annual Report, and a comment letter from the Board was forwarded to the City Council.
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Community Policing Board to receive an update from the Police Chief on implementation of recommendations from the Auditor’s 2025 Annual Report and discuss the Auditor’s draft 2026 Semi-Annual Report. Then the Board will be asked to approve a comment letter summarizing their input, which will then be forwarded to the City Council with the Auditor’s finalized 2026 Semi-Annual Report.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The intent of the Community Policing Board is to enhance community involvement in law enforcement. It’s also the intent that Board membership be diverse and representative of the community’s demographics and lived experiences, including community members who may have been justice-impacted. Having community members learn about the Civilian Police Auditor’s findings and provide input on their recommendations contributes to changes in policing training, policies and practices that are in alignment with community needs and interests and contributes more broadly to building trust and legitimacy in the City’s public safety system.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There’s broad community interest in community involvement in law enforcement, including the role and recommendations of the Civilian Police Auditor (Auditor) and Oympia Police Department data and policy updates shared by the Police Chief. The Auditor meeting regularly with the Community Policing Board supports ongoing transparency in policing for community members.
Options:
1. Approve a comment letter on the draft 2026 Semi-Annual Report to be forwarded to the City Council with the Auditor’s final report.
2. Do not approve a comment letter on the draft 2026 Semi-Annual Report to be forwarded to the City Council with the Auditor’s final report.
3. Direct staff to return at a later date for continued discussion and approval of a comment letter to be forwarded to the City Council with the Auditor’s final report.
Financial Impact:
The City contracted with OIR Group for Civilian Police Auditor services for an initial one-year term beginning on May 7, 2025, valued at $105,000. On April 28, 2026, the City Council approved a one-year extension to OIR Group’s contract and approved an additional $105,000 for the second year. The total value of the two-year contract is $210,000.
Attachments:
Civilian Police Auditor Draft 2026 Semi-Annual Report
Draft 2026 Semi-Annual Report Comment Letter
Civilian Police Auditor Ordinance
Community Policing Board Ordinance