Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. for Police Auditor Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. for Police Auditor Services in the amount of $100,000
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. for Police Auditor Services in the amount of $100,000
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The City Council retains the services of a Police Auditor to provide an independent review and audit of investigations, complaints, and uses of force. The purpose of the Police Auditor is to increase public trust and confidence in the police department. In November of 2020, the City contracted with the law firm, Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. to act as an independent police auditor pursuant to Olympia Municipal Code 2.38. The term of that contract was for one year.
On October 27, 2021, the General Government Committee met and unanimously approved a recommendation to the full Council to modify the duties, responsibilities, and scope of work of the Police Auditor and to continue to contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace in 2022. Subsequently, Council approved Ordinance No. 7314 on March 1, 2022 which amended the Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 2.38 Related to Police Auditor. The amended Chapter modified the duties, responsibilities, and scope of work to address the following:
• Review of the Police Department’s response to public demonstrations and crowd management when an event results in serious physical injury.
• Clarification on the Police Auditor’s review of and recommendations to policies, procedures, and training based on audit findings.
This resolution seeks Council’s approval to enter into a contract for one year with Ogden Murphy Wallace to provide Police Auditor Services in the amount of $100,000. The scope of work, duties and responsibilities, and reporting requirements is based on the amended ordinance approved by Council on March 1, 2022.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community continues to express a need for police accountability and police auditor services are one way for the City to ensure that the Olympia Police Department’s professional standards, internal investigations, and complaint processes meet best practices.
Options:
1. Move to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. for Police Auditor Services in the amount of $100,000.
2. Direct staff to make changes to the contract based on Council feedback and approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. in the amount of $100,000.
3. Do not approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. for Police Auditor Services in the amount of $100,000.
Financial Impact:
Council appropriated $100,000 for Police Auditor Services as part of the 2022 General Fund Operating Budget.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement