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<br />.u..u~.~!~~.e Complaint Syste~..~.'].~___~!yilian Oversight ~~.~~mmendatjons <br /> <br />In the interim, the commission recommends the following improvements: <br />o Reconsider and develop more specific definitions of "mediation" and "facilitated <br />conversation" <br /> <br />o Fonnalize procedures forw'hich types of complaints can be mediated and who <br />decides which complaints are appropriate for alternative resolution <br /> <br />o Develop procedures for how advocates are involved in complaint intake, investigation <br />and alternative resolution options <br /> <br />o Improve data collection and tracking of mediations/facilitated conversations so that <br />the number and types of complaints that were resolved through alternative resolution <br />processes and how successful those efforts were can be evaluated <br /> <br />o Integrate alternative resolution options into the complaint process (promote/share info <br />about mediation and advocacy options, etc.) and increase publicity and outreach for <br />mediation both internally and to the public. <br /> <br />Auditor Role in Monitoring Investigations <br /> <br />Investigation Assignment <br />The auditor's office screens and classifies complaints to determine if the issue is a misconduct <br />allegation that will require an internal investigation. The Police Commission believes that there <br />is certain subset ofintemal investigations that, due to the nature of the complaint, are of high <br />public interest and require the utmost scmtiny to ensure a fair and credible outcome. The auditor <br />w11l identify these complaints as "connmmity impact cases," which will include, at a minimum, <br />excessive force, violation of constitutional rights, and bia..<;/disparate treatment allegations. The <br />review process for "community impact" cases is discussed later in this report. <br /> <br />In the preliminary review of an allegation of misconduct, the auditor may decide that to reduce <br />the potential for real or perceived bias, the investigation should be conducted by ari external <br />entity. In authorizing the auditor to require external investigations, the commission recommends <br />that criteria are developed to guide the auditor in making such decisions and that a source of <br />trained, outside investigators is identified. <br /> <br />Allegations that involve possible criminal offenses will be routed to the Chief of Police with a <br />recommendation for District Attorney involvement The auditor will not be directly involved in <br />,my criminal investigations but will have access to the case files relevant to the administrative <br />portion of the allegation and as part of his/her role in systemic review. <br /> <br />The auditor will route all other allegations, including "community impact cases", to the internal <br />affairs unit for investigation. <br /> <br />Case Monitoring <br />The auditor will actively monitor on-going investigations to ensure a thorough, objective, and <br />timely process and a high quality end product. This requires that the auditor have unfettered <br />access to aU relevant investigative materials, an authority which the commission believes should <br /> <br />17 <br />