Title
Police Auditor 2022 Scope of Work Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss Police Auditor scope of work in 2022.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss the Police Auditor scope of work in 2022.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
On November 2, 2020, City Council directed staff to enter into a contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace to provide Police Auditor services to the City of Olympia. 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 City entered into a one-year contract with Ogden Murphy Wallace. The contract was extended in May to allow the Police Auditor a reasonable amount of time to analyze the 2021 data, file the final report, and present to the City Council. The final report, analysis, and recommendations is tentatively scheduled for February of 2022.
Over the past year, a Social Justice and Equity Founding Members Work Group was formed to forward a recommendation to the City Council to establish a permanent Commission; and a Community Work Group is leading the effort to Reimagine Public Safety and forward a recommendation to the City Council in early 2022. Staff has heard from the public and both work groups a need for improved transparency and accountability of the City’s Police Department.
Staff will seek direction on the scope of work for Police Auditor services in 2022.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community is interested in improving transparency and accountability of the Olympia Police Department.
Options:
1. Recommend to the full City Council to renew the Police Auditor contract without modifications.
2. Recommend to the full City Council to renew the Police Auditor contract and modify the duties, responsibilities, and scope of work based on direction from the General Government Committee.
3. Recommend to the full City Council to renew the Police Auditor contract without modifications and request the future Social Justice & Equity Commission explore options for police civilian oversight.
4. Recommend to the full City Council to renew the Police Auditor contract and modify the duties, responsibilities, and scope of work based on direction from the General Government Committee and request the future Social Justice & Equity Commission explore options for police civilian oversight.
Financial Impact:
The City Council appropriated $100,000 for Police Auditor services in 2021.
Attachments:
None.