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by either party, given proper notice, should be accommodated to the extent possible. The (......_K'._-.-..';_J location needs to be neutral, convenient and accessible. . . Additionally, MAlT recommended that when feasible, officers are able to participate in mediations on- duty, but in plainclothes. ROLE OF ADVOCACY in the COMPLAINT PROCESS I' The . Police Commission recommended that the new oversight system include opportunities for resolution of complaints. outside of the traditional internal affairs process and for complainants to have access to additional ,support throughout the complaint process. This concept was reinforced during .a publ'ic forum with social service providers, who confirmed that many of their clients would benefit from a range of different advocate services. Juveniles, people with learning disabilities or mental illness, people with language barriers, or complainants who are intimidated or confused' by the p~ocess may need additional assistance gaining access to and navigating through the system. When MATT began discussing the concept of advocacy, it struggled with the definition of an advocate and the disti'nction between the advocate role in the current process and role of Human Rights Support System (HRSS) 'advocates' in the future system. Currently, 'HRSS voluntee'rs are assigned to assist community members with a range of different complaints of which police services are a subset. HRSS advocates offer support through education of process options, ~ssistance with accessing whichever option is selected (i.ncluding. alternative co~plairit resolution~), and referrals to other agencies, b~t are. typically not ~nvolved if a formal complaint is filed. TheJr .efforts lend a sense of ) safety, non-judgmental support, and empowerment to complainants who are in crisis. While MATT fully supports these services, there remained a troubling question of how this work would translate to a system where complaints are received and processed by the Auditor's Office. MATT had several conversations about what type of additional suppo~ complainants need and/or might expect to receive. Would they want help understanding and trustilJg the process or would they expect someone to advocate for the validity of their complaint? Under ~urrent practices, the HRSS program offers safe access to the complaint process, empathetic counsel and support, information on resolution options and the implications of each option, and referral to other services. The advocates do not champion causes. or positions, but. instead, help complainants make informed decisions and support them through those decisions. If a complainant elects to file a complaint with the Internal . Affairs office, the HRSS case is closed. A fundamental question was whether these services would . still be needed in the new complaint process, or should people rely on the Auditor Office staff and their own personal support for any additional assistance needed?' MATT concurred with the Police Commission that access .to support, whether through a formal advocate program, via informal mechanisms, or both, should be incorporated into the new complaint process. For some complainants, the involvement of legal guardians or translators may be necessary to ensure that the complainant understands the process and the ramifications of his/her decisions. Others may want to have a family member, friend, caseworker, or other trusted support person accompany them to gather information on options, file a formal' complaint, attend a mediation session, or act as a silent witness during an interview. To the extent that such participation can be P~nA 1?