Item B: Police Auditor Ordinance Review Report

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Police Auditor and Acting Chief of Police, the committee emphasized the need for an oversight system that functions well in all circumstances. To that end, PAORC recommends to the Council and the City Manager that they make explicit their desire that the Auditor and Chief develop cooperative and collaborative policies and procedures for effective oversight based upon the principles of fairness, thoroughness, appropriate transparency, and a lack of bias in processing and investigating complaints. Review of the Council’s Supervision of the Police Auditor The committee wishes to express to Council that the ‘day to day’ supervision of the Auditor’s office should reside with a small subcommittee of the Council; for example, the Council Officers. This would allow the Council to be proactive instead of reactive as issues arise. We believe that the current circumstance makes it difficult for the full Council to give the attention and direction that the Auditor’s office needs. VI. Conclusions and Next Steps The work of the Police Auditor Ordinance Review Committee has been focused on the thth proposed amendments from the November 10 and 17 Council meetings from 2008. Our work with these amendments is part of the larger work of the Council, the City, and the community in achieving a successful civilian oversight system for Eugene. As previously noted, PAORC did not feel it had sufficient time to thoughtfully and thoroughly deliberate on all of the items included in its charge, and is willing to reconvene should the Council wish it to continue its work on the remaining items. It comes as no surprise to PAORC members that civilian oversight is an involved and multi-faceted system requiring attention and adjustment as time passes and our model matures. We feel our proposed revisions to Ordinance 20374 and the recommendations we have made are in keeping with the charge we received from the Council. It is our hope that the Council will consider implementing these revisions and recommendations in the spirit with which they are presented. These suggestions are intended for improvement with the ultimate goal of the success of civilian review, and increased community confidence and appreciation of policing in Eugene.