Item B: Meeting w/Police Comm. - Laserfiche WebLink

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Police Complaint System and Civilian Oversight Recommendations I. Executive Summary Over the past year, the Eugene Police Commission has conducted an extensive review of current practices for handling complaints against police, including a re-examination of different models of civilian oversight. Background research for this project included a significant literature review and a consultant report on civilian oversight models in operation nationally. Multiple community forums were held to seek public input on concerns with the current police complaint system and to compile suggestions for improvements. Committees were formed to develop specific recommendations for how complaints are received, classified, investigated and, once a conclusion is developed, reviewed. The committees submitted a conceptual oversight model to the Police Commission that instills more robust civilian review into the complaint process. The conceptual model was revised following additional commission discussion and community input. On July 25t~, the resulting recommendations will be presented to City Council for its consideration. The commission hopes that following the Council work session, it will continue to refine the oversight model and assist with the development of the ordinance and policies that will support implementation of the new complaint system. Values/Outcomes Sought in New Complaint System o Creation of an accessible, safe, impartial and responsive complaint intake system o Assurance of high quality, thorough and unbiased investigations o Accountability and fairness for all involved o Increased transparency in how complaints are handled and dispositions are generated to build credibility and trust in the complaint system o Identify organizational improvements to enhance the quality of police services to the public o Avoid pitfalls encountered in other communities when implementing civilian review Itow Proposal is Different than Current System o Community member complaints are lodged with independent auditor's office o Investigations are removed from police supervisors and transferred to an expanded investigative unit within IA o Full time auditor, independent from the police department, monitors on-going IA investigations for quality assurance o Citizen review board oversees the work of the auditor to ensure that investigations are fair o Options for alternative resolution to complaints are expanded and utilized more frequently Proposed Oversight System Authority 0tybrid Model of Auditor and Civilian Review Board) o Auditor's office receives complaints, conducts preliminary investigations and classifies how cases will be handled o Auditor actively monitors internal investigations, including ability to participate in interviews, require additional investigation, contract with outside entity to conduct certain investigations and recommend case dispositions to the Chief of Police o Auditor seeks improvements to police services by identifying policy and training issues associated with complaints and reviewing tort and risk claims o Auditor identifies cases for review board to oversee and provides quarterly reports to board on complaint processing decisions, investigative findings and case outcomes o Civilian board reviews and comments on investigations sent to it by the auditor, upon request of the complainant, or at its discretion, and in specific situations, can require the case to be re- opened for further investigation o Board monitors the work of the auditor's office to ensure that complaint handling decisions and recommendations to the Chief on case investigations reflect community values