Title
Discussion of the 2024 Draft Police Auditor Year End Report
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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 C...
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