Title
Approval of an Ordinance to Establish a Process to Add a Pool of Citizen Representatives to Assist with Investigations Pursuant to State Initiative 940
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve an ordinance to establish a process to add a pool of citizen representatives to assist with investigations pursuant to State Initiative 940 on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an ordinance to establish a process for addition of a pool of citizen representatives to assist with investigations pursuant to State Initiative 940.
Staff Contact:
Paul Lower, Lieutenant, Police, 360.753.8410
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
Washington voters passed the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act, also known as I-940. The legislation calls for changes in law enforcement training state-wide, as well as changes in the way the use of deadly force by law enforcement is reviewed and investigated. In particularly, two “citizen representatives” will be identified to monitor and lend transparency to the investigative process. The Olympia Police Department’s already established training met many of the I-940 requirements, and the Department has begun implementation of the additional required training. This ordinance will allow the Department and the City to move forward with the addition of a pool of representatives from the community to participate in the officer involved shooting process. It will bring us into compliance with I-940 and ensure a transparent, defined process by which citizens will be selected.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community interest exists in the selection of the citizen representatives. The community and the department will realize a mutual benefit in having the citizen representatives selected from a pool of applicants which have been interviewed and selected by the Council.
Options:
1. Approve the adoption of the recommended changes to the OMC, which will allow the City to select community representatives to enhance transparency and comply with I940.
2. Modify the ordinance. Reconsider language and process for identifying the citizen representatives which will extend the selection process timeline. A delay could result in a lack of preparation and compliance with I-940 in the case of a need for investigation during the delay.
3. Do not approve the ordinance: The Department and the City would be without a selection process for citizen participants and therefore would be unable to provide increased transparency and public process.
Financial Impact:
None - the community representatives are volunteers and not compensated.
Attachments:
Ordinance