Title
Approval of the 2026 Civilian Police Auditor Work Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee recommends approval of the Civilian Police Auditor work plan for 2026.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the 2026 Civilian Police Auditor work plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the 2026 Civilian Police Auditor work plan.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist, Organizational Development and Performance, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In July 2024, the City Council accepted recommendations from the Social Justice and Equity Commission (SJEC) on Community Oversight of Law Enforcement. From those recommendations, the City established a new Community Policing Board (Board). The purpose of the Board is to ensure accountability and transparency of the Olympia Police Department and to serve as community representatives, providing community perspectives on the work of the Civilian Police Auditor (Auditor).
The SJEC recommendations also included enhancements to the role of Auditor. The central role of the Auditor is to review certain types of investigations completed internally by the Olympia Police Department and provide regular reports to the City Council. This includes recommendations to improve police department operations, policy and training based on their findings. An enhancement to the Auditor’s role is the requirement to develop an annual work plan to be approved by the City Council. The work plan outlines the policies, training, and other key issues of interest that the Auditor intends to review over the course of the year.
This is the first year the Auditor has been required to develop a work plan for the coming year informed by findings from their 2025 draft annual report and that aligned with their scope of work. On March 12, 2026, the Board had an opportunity to review and discuss the draft work plan with the Auditor. Feedback from that discussion was considered by the Auditor to further refine their workplan. Highlights from the Board’s discussion were captured in an attached comment letter for consideration.
On March 25, 2026 the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) reviewed Auditor’s 2026 work plan, along with comments from the Board. CLPS unanimously recommended forwarding the Auditor’s work plan to the full City Council for approval.
Climate Analysis:
There are no climate concerns related to this item.
Equity Analysis:
Community groups, especially those most impacted by policing, and underrepresented community groups have requested community involvement and oversight in law enforcement. The development of an annual Auditor work plan responds to community requests and helps guide the Auditor’s work, ensuring that it is responsive to community concerns and is guided by findings from recent audit cycles.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There’s broad community interest in community involvement in law enforcement oversight, including the role work of the Auditor. The updated requirement of the Auditor to submit an annual work plan will help community members to be more informed about the Auditor’s work, and how findings from past reports are guiding future policy and procedural recommendations.
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.
Options:
1. Move to approve the 2026 Civilian Police Auditor Work Plan.
2. Provide feedback and direct the Civilian Police Auditor to return at a later date with a new work plan. This would delay the start of the Civilian Police Auditor’s proactive policy review for 2026.
3. Do not approve the Civilian Police Auditor Work Plan for 2026. This will limit their ability to provide the full range of services outlined in their scope of work.
Attachments:
Civilian Police Auditor 2026 Work Plan
Community Policing Board Comment Letter