Title
Approval of the Civilian Police Auditor 2026 Work Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Civilian Police Auditor 2026 work plan and forward to the full City Council for approval.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Civilian Police Auditor 2026 work plan and forward to the full City Council for approval.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist, Organizational Development and Performance, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist
Stephen Connolly, Civilian Police Auditor, OIR Group
Background and Analysis:
In July 2024, the City Council accepted recommendations from the Social Justice and Equity Commission on Community Oversight of Law Enforcement. From the recommendations the City established a new Community Policing Board, whose purpose is to ensure Olympia Police Department accountability and transparency, serve as community representatives and provide community perspectives on the work of the Civilian Police Auditor (Auditor).
The 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 which include recommendations for police department operations, policy and training based on the findings of their audit. One of the enhancements to the role of the Auditor is the requirement of an annual work plan to be approved by the City Council. The work plan should address policies, training, and other issues of interest that the Auditor intends to review that year.
This is the first year the Auditor was required to draft a work plan for the coming year based on findings from their 2025 draft annual report and that fall within their scope of work. On March 12, 2026, the Community Policing Board (Board) had an opportunity to review and discuss the draft work plan with the Auditor. Feedback from this discussion was considered by the Auditor for further refinement of their workplan. Highlights from the Board’s discussion were captured in an attached comment letter for consideration.
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to review and discuss the Auditor’s 2026 work plan and comments from the Board and consider forwarding the work plan to the full Council for approval.
Climate Analysis:
There is 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 Auditor annual work plan is responsive to that community request and further guides the work of the Auditor, 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, 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 work of the Auditor, 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 Civilian Police Auditor 2026 work plan and forward to the full City Council for approval.
2. Move to approve the Civilian Police Auditor 2026 work plan, based on feedback from the Committee and forward to the full City Council for approval.
3. Do not approve the Civilian Police Auditor 2026 workplan and reschedule for a future meeting.
Attachments:
Civilian Police Auditor 2026 Work Plan
Community Policing Board Comment Letter