Item B: Update on Implementation of Measure 20-106

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__.m__~oHce COn:!plaint SystE:~.o~!1d Civillan.gyersight R~~ommen.9.~tions __.omm._ III Research and Community Values Even before the work plan was approved, the commission began two efforts to jumpstan the information gathering phase of the project An extensive literature review was initiated to collect current information on best practices and issues surrounding police complaint systems, A binder ohvritten material on police oversight was compiled and provided to commissioners, including the 1998 External Review Advisory Committee (ERAe) report. This information was also posted on-line \vith links to the material where available, and a binder was placed in the library to facilitate public access to this information. See Attachment A for the commission's research material list. Also begimling in June 2004, a series of community fomms were conducted to solicit public input on perceived barriers to lodging a complaint against the pollee, expectations for a model complaint system, and suggestions for improvements to the process. Specifically, participants were asked these questions; · What, tf anything, would prevent you from filing a complaint r\lith the police depart1:l1ellt? II (lyou have Jitea' a complaint in the past, what was your experience like? !fyou have not, w}mt would you expect from the process? · rVhat ways can you think of that would improve the complaint process? Community members were also encouraged to share comments by emaiJ or phone. AU comments were captured, summarized and provided to the commission to help identify the key issues and conummity values to be addressed. See Attachment B for the list of public input sessions and conunentary. In November, several conmllssioners attended police in-service training sessions to gather (~mployees' perceptions about the current complaint system and ideas for improvements. These sessions provided llseful suggestions and insights from officers and helped a..,>sure EPD personnel that the commission was considering the needs of both officers and civilians in its process. In addition to the public forums, the commission began reviewing existing policies and practices used in the complaint process. Staff presentations on intemal affairs procedures, complaint investigations, and city disciplinary processes were delivered. Commissioners Dettman and Laue attended the National Association for Civilian Oversight in Law Enforcement conference to collect information on different law enforcement complaint processes in place and learn first- hand about the successes and challenges ofthese models. The conference also afforded an opportunity to build relationships and network with others who are involved in this work:. A crucial portion of the background infonnation received was the report "Review of National Police Oversight Models." A contract was sif-';l1ed with the Police Assess'ment Resource Center (P ARC) to conduct a national review of civilian oversight models for jurisdictions that are comparable to Eugene and to develop reconunendations on models that might be a good fit for om conullunity. Two public presentations oithe PARe report were delivered in February 2005. The report reviewed thirty different oversight systems, grouping t.hem into three broad 3