Title
Discussion of the 2024 Draft Police Auditor Year End Report
Recommended Action
No action requested.
Report Issue:
Discussion of the 2024 Draft Police Auditor Year End Report.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales Community Engagement Program Specialist, Organizational Development & Performance, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
Rich Allen, Police Chief
Tara Parker, Police Auditor, Clarity Investigations and Consulting, PLLC
Background and Analysis:
In 2022, the City Council requested that the Social Justice and Equity Commission advise the Council on Community Oversight of Law Enforcement (COLE). As a result, the Commission undertook the work of evaluating the City’s current oversight model. The Commission worked collaboratively with a Community Workgroup and the Olympia Police Department (OPD) to put forward a recommendation to Council that builds on the current system of community involvement and oversight in policing, which was subsequently accepted by the Council in July 2024.
Included in the recommendations are that the Police 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 2024, members of the Social Justice & Equity Commission had an opportunity to test this part of the recommendations, receiving briefings from the Police Auditor on their draft 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Mid-Year Report, as well as updates from the Police Chief on the department. Commissioners shared their community perspectives and feedback on the Auditor’s reports before the reports were share with City Council.
At the March 18, 2025 council meeting the Olympia municipal code was amended to establish a community policing board. The City is currently in the process of transitioning from Police Use of Force Community Representatives to a Community Policing Board. While in transition, the current Police Use of Force Community Representatives will receive a briefing from the Police Chief on the status of the department, and a briefing from the Police Auditor on their draft 2024 Annual Report and recommendations, which covers incidents between January 1 and December 31 of 2024.
Input from Police Use of Force Community Representatives on the draft recommendations will be considered by the Police Auditor before finalizing their 2024 Annual Report. The report is slated for presentation to City Council at their May 20, 2024, regular business meeting.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The intent of a Community 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 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 Auditor and in the OPD data and policy updates shared by the Police Chief. The Auditor meeting regularly with the Commission, and once it’s established, the Community Board, supports ongoing transparency in policing for community members.
Options:
1. Have the discussion.
2. Do not have the discussion.
3. Have the discussion at another time.
Financial Impact:
The City Council anticipates $100,000 to $120,000 for Police Auditor services in 2025.
Attachments:
Police Auditor Draft 2024 Year End Report