Item A: Police Oversight System - Roles and Expectations

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Police Complaint System and Civilian Oversight Recommendations VI. Oversight Model Frequently Asked Questions 1.What is a hybrid police oversight system and why was it selected? A hybrid system combines two distinct components into one system. In this case, the two components are a professional police auditor and a civilian review board. The commission is recommending a hybrid system of civilian oversight to build on the strengths of each component to best meet the community’s expectations. The full time auditor monitors investigations for quality assurance and identifies systemic changes needed to improve the overall performance of the organization. The civilian review board creates opportunities for community members to review and comment on how the department investigates and responds to complaints, promoting a fair and transparent process. 2.Whatmakes this model independent of the police department? To ensure structural independence of the oversight system, the commission recommends that the auditor be hired and report to the City Council, and that the City Council, with community input, appoints the review board members. The auditor’s office will provide the staff support to the review board. So while the auditor and his/her staff are city employees, they will not be employed by the police department, physically located in the police department, or supervised by the Police Chief. 3.How does this model assure that all complaints are handled appropriatelyand that complainants are protected from retaliation? The intake and classification of complaints, which determines how a complaint is handled, will no longer occur within the police department. Instead, based on clear protocols, the auditor’s office will decide how a complaint would be classified. The review board will monitor these decisions through review of quarterly reports. In addition, the ability to lodge complaints in the auditor’s office is intended to provide a safe and neutral environment for complaint intake. People who are still anxious about the possibility of some form of retribution for filing a complaint may choose to lodge their concerns anonymously. Anonymous complaints will be taken seriouslyand will be classified. However, the auditor will not be able to conduct follow-up communications with an anonymous complainant. 4.Why does this system still allow police to investigate police? One of the fundamental values for the complaintsystem is the desire that investigations are impartial, thorough and fair. Misconduct investigations, which carry the possibility for discipline up to and including employee termination, must meet rigorous standards for objectivity and integrity. The outcome must be based on a preponderance of evidence. For these reasons, the commission believes that the investigations should be conducted by trained professionals, but monitored for quality assurance by an outside, independent civilian employee, i.e., the auditor. To help protect these investigations fromreal or perceived bias, the commission is also recommending that the involved employee’s supervisor no longer conduct internal investigations. Instead, the internal affairs unit should be restructured so that it has the capacity to conduct investigations of employee misconduct. 23