Title
Approval of a Timeline and Process for Hiring a Police Auditor
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The General Government Committee recommends hiring a Police Auditor without revisions to the existing Ordinance No. 6220. This allows the Police Auditor position to be filled in 2020. During the one-year term of the contract, updates to the ordinance can be considered, evaluated and incorporated before the following year’s recruitment and contract.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve hiring a Police Auditor without revisions to the existing Ordinance No. 6220 and consider updates to the ordinance during the one-year term before hiring the subsequent Police Auditor in 2021.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the process and timeline for hiring a Police Auditor under Ordinance No. 6220.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
On September 20, 2002, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 6220 which added a new Chapter (2.38) to the Olympia Municipal Code - Police Auditor. The stated purpose of the Police Auditor is to “provide an independent review and audit of investigations of complaints about the Police Department and/or its employees” in order to increase public trust and confidence in the professional accountability systems of the Police Department.
The Ordinance states that City Council selects the Police Auditor and may do so under a professional services contract. The ordinance also specifies the terms of service, qualifications, as well as the duties and responsibilities of the Police Auditor. The City Council retained their first Police Auditor, in compliance with the Ordinance, on January 28, 2003. A Police Auditor was in place every year until 2009. Due to the great recession, the funding was cut starting in 2010.
During the 2020 budget process, the Council appropriated $30,000 to reinstate a Police Auditor. Using Ordinance No. 6220, staff estimates that Council can on-board a Police Auditor by the Fall of 2020. If the Council, after reviewing the current Ordinance, recommends revisions to the ordinance, the process for hiring a Police Auditor will start once the ordinance is adopted and the required 30-day waiting period is concluded.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community is interested in City Council hiring a Police Auditor who can provide an independent review of investigations and complaints against the Olympia Police Department.
Options:
1. Direct staff to launch the hiring process for a Police Auditor under the existing Ordinance No. 6220. A Police Auditor may be on-board as early as Fall 2020. Future revisions can be discussed and incorporated before hiring the next Police Auditor in 2021.
2. Direct staff to modify Ordinance No. 6220 based on feedback received from City Council. A Police Auditor may be on-board in the first quarter of 2021.
3. Direct staff to work with the General Government Committee to design a community engagement process to inform modifications to Ordinance No. 6220 before hiring a Police Auditor.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Ordinance No. 6220