Title
Briefing on City of Olympia Legal Department Prosecution Division Use of Metrics for Decision Making
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on and discuss how the Legal Department Prosecution Division uses metrics to make decisions.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on and discuss how the Legal Department Prosecution Division Uses Metrics to Make Decisions
Staff Contact:
Tye Graham, Chief Prosecutor, 360-753.8449
Presenter(s):
Tye Graham, Chief Prosecutor
Background and Analysis:
The Ad Hoc Committee on Public Safety was established in September 2020 with the purpose to develop a greater understanding of the current public safety system (policing, courts, jail, etc.) and consider recommendations to Council on policy and budget options that will reduce inequities, eliminate bias, and create a public system that works for all.
In February, the Committee received a high-level overview of Olympia’s criminal justice system. The presentation described each part of the criminal justice system - Police, Corrections, Prosecution, Public Defense, and Municipal Court. Information was shared on each component’s legal authority, mission, desired outcomes, budget, staffing levels, who they work closely with, areas of discretion, and opportunities to ensure equity.
Over the next four months, the committee will increase their understanding and use of data within the municipal criminal justice system and how it is used to inform policy discussions and decision-making.
The Chief Prosecutor will share how a criminal case moves through the system; victim services and rights; how a prosecutor knows the race of a suspect; what the prosecution division measures; how they use data to make decisions and inform policy; how they communicate their data; and challenges and opportunities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The City is launching a community-wide public engagement process to re-imagine public safety in 2021.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing on how the Legal Department Prosecution Division uses metrics to make decisions.
2. Do not receive a briefing on how the Legal Department Prosecution Division uses metrics to make decisions.
3. Receive a briefing on how the Legal Department Prosecution Division uses metrics to make decisions at a later Committee meeting.
Financial Impact:
There is not financial impact related to this briefing.
Attachments:
None