Item A: Police Oversight System - Roles and Expectations

Home Browse Search

ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Police Oversight System – Roles and Expectations Meeting Date: May 18, 2009 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Central Services/CMO Staff Contact: Sarah Medary www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-6877 ISSUE STATEMENT The purpose of this work session is to discuss the roles and expectations of the Police Auditor, Civilian Review Board, and the City Council, related to the police oversight system. BACKGROUND In July 2005, the Police Commission presented its final report and recommendations to City Council on proposed complaint intake and civilian oversight systems (Attachment A). The commission recommended a hybrid model of Auditor and Civilian Review Board and provided descriptions of the systems for City Council to consider. The report was accepted, the proposed model was supported, and a City Charter amendment to authorize the proposal was placed on the November 2005 ballot for voter consideration and subsequent approval. In 2006, the City Council hired the first Police Auditor and adopted Ordinance 20374 that provided for external review of police. In 2008, City Council placed an amendment to the City Charter on the November ballot that changed the language that contained the phrases “The city council is authorized to” and “the city council may authorize” to the mandatory phrase “city council shall….” After the amendment was passed by the voters, the council appointed a 15-member committee to consider potential necessary revisions to the related ordinance on police oversight. Over the next week, the City Council will discuss next steps on how to proceed with implementation of the recommendations of the Police Auditor Ordinance Review Committee (PAORC) and supervision of the Police Auditor. The council is also in the process of hiring a new Police Auditor. In anticipation of these discussions and decisions, City Council has expressed an interest in reviewing the original materials considered in adopting the hybrid model of oversight and developing a common understanding and agreement on the related roles and expectations of the Police Auditor, Civilian Review Board, and the City Council. COUNCIL OPTIONS No options are being provided as the work session was proposed as a discussion. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090518\S090518A.doc