Title
2020 Public Demonstration Responses and Current Crowd Control Management Policies and Practices Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
On April 17, 2022 the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee received a briefing on the 2020 Demonstration Responses and Current Crowd Control Management Policies and Practices.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the 2020 Demonstration Responses and Current Crowd Control Management Policies and Practices.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the 2020 Demonstration Responses and Current Crowd Control Management Policies and Practices.
Staff Contact:
Rich Allen, Interim Chief, Olympia Police Department, 360.753.8147
Presenter(s):
Rich Allen, Interim Chief, Olympia Police Department
Background and Analysis:
In 2020, more than 70 demonstrations occurred in Olympia, Washington, several of which resulted in injuries to community members and police officers, significant property damage, and widespread disturbances to the community's sense of public safety and security. In order to learn from those events and ensure that the Olympia Police Department (OPD) follows best practices for public demonstrations and crowd management, the City of Olympia commissioned a comprehensive review.
While the review found that OPD's event responses were within its existing policies, the study identified several ways in which the Department could improve. The briefing will include an update on what the Department is doing to address recommendations identified in the review.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community has an expectation that the Olympia Police Department's response to public demonstrations is consistent with best practices, unbiased, and maximizes public safety while protecting community members' First Amendment rights.
Options:
1. Receive the report.
2. Do not receive the report.
3. Receive the report at another time.
Financial Impact:
There is no financi...
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