Title
Approval of the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s Role in
Engaging with the Police Auditor During the Transition to a new Community Board for Oversight of Law Enforcement
Recommended Action
Move to approve the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s role in engaging with the Police Auditor for the 2024 End-of-Year Report.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s Role in
Engaging with the Police Auditor During the Transition to new a Community Board for Oversight of Law Enforcement.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City Council Community Oversight of Law Enforcement recommendations, accepted by the City Council on July 9, 2024, call for the establishment of a Community Board that will meet with the Police Auditor at least quarterly to discuss the Auditor’s audits of misconduct and use of force investigations. Those meetings are intended as opportunities for “Community Board Members to ask questions, share any concerns, and provide the community perspective regarding recommended operational, training, or policy changes.”
As part of implementing the recommendations, the City Council anticipates appointing members to the Community Board in March 2025. During that time, two reports may be completed by the current Police Auditor -- 2024 Mid-year Report and an End-of-Year Report. Both reports cover misconduct complaint investigations, use of force incidents, and recommendations. Staff will discuss the opportunity for the Social Justice and Equity Commission to provide a community perspective to the Police Auditor during this interim period before the Community Board is established.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
As part of the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement project, the community has expressed a desire for more communication and community representation in oversight of law enforcement. Increased communication and community involvement in policing are critical to building an equitable oversight system. While the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement recommendations will make police oversight more accessible to community members, there will be an interim period before the Community Board is established. By filling that gap, the Social Justice & Equity Commission can provide the Auditor with the community’s perspective on the Police Auditor’s 2024 Reports.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community groups, those most impacted by policing, and underrepresented community groups have requested more community involvement in law enforcement with a goal of building trust and legitimacy in the City’s public safety system. While the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement recommendations will meet those requests, the Social Justice & Equity Commission may choose to undertake the Community Board’s role of providing community input on the Police Auditor’s work in the interim period.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s role in engaging with the Police Auditor for the 2024 End-of-Year Report.
2. Move to approve the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s role in engaging with the Police Auditor for the 2024 Mid-Year and End-of-Year Report.
3. Do not approve reengaging with the Police Auditor for the 2024 Report(s) and recommend to Council that the future Community Board resume this duty once they are established.
Financial Impact:
The City Council appropriated $150,000 in the 2024 Operating Budget for Police Auditor services.
Attachments:
None