Item 5: Public Comment on Police Auditor Profile

Home Browse Search

Patrol and Special Operations, Investigations, OperationsThe Auditor’s first responsibility will be to develop policies Support, and Technical Services. The majority of lineand procedures for the operations of the Auditor’s office, employees are represented by the Eugene Police Em-and to assist the Council in the establishment of a ployee Association (EPEA). In a typical day, EugeneCivilian Review Board. police officers are dispatched to about 300 calls for THE IDEAL CANDIDATE service. THE OVERSIGHT SYSTEM This high-visibility position is characterized by the Auditor’s ability to provide fair and objective oversight of Eugene City Council recently adopted a hybrid oversightthe police complaint process, build credibility among system that consists of both a full-time professionally-diverse audiences, and instill public confidence in the staffed Auditor’s office and a Civilian Review Board. Thecomplaint system. The responsibilities of the Police role of the Auditor’s office is to provide a neutral locationAuditor are broad in scope and require the highest to lodge complaints and to actively monitor on-goingdegree of professional, independent judgement, personal internal affairs investigations to ensure objective, thor-integrity, and accountability. The Auditor performs work ough and high quality investigations. The Auditor identi-that is highly complex, and often involves issues that are fies policy, practice and training concerns to promotesensitive and confidential. organizational changes that improve police services to The ideal candidate will possess the following character- the community and reduce risk and liability to the City. istics and abilities: In addition, a Civilian Review Board, consisting of five to • seven community members, will oversee the work of the Model the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Auditor’s office. The role of the Review Board is to • Make sound and well-informed decisions affecting evaluate the case handling decisions and investigative multiple stakeholders. recommendations for the Auditor’s office and, in situa- • Commit to action when dealing with pressure and tions that meet pre-established criteria, assess how ambiguity of complex, controversial issues and complaints are being investigated and responded to. By situations. involving community members in the review of com- • Communicate effectively orally and in writing with a plaints, the Council hopes to enhance the transparency variety of cross-cultural audiences. and public understanding of incidents under investigation, • Creatively solve problems using superior analytical and, over time, to increase the trust and credibility in the ability. complaint process. More information on the system is • available on the Police Commission page of the Eugene Respond in an objective, professional, and credible Police Department website. manner in highly-charged situations. • Apply impartiality and demonstrate fairness and THE POLICE AUDITOR diplomacy under the most difficult of circumstances. • Establish and maintain highly effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups. The Police Auditor is a newly created position that will be • Fluency in Spanish is desirable. hired by and report to the City Council, as established by the Eugene electorate through a revision to the City The Council is seeking a candidate who is willing to Charter on November 8, 2005. make a long-term commitment to Eugene. The Police Auditor provides independent, external oversight of investigations and complaints involving police department employees. The Auditor’s responsibilities include receiving complaints, monitoring or participating in internal investigations to ensure objective, thorough and high quality investigations, and preparing reports on complaint trends and police practices in general. S/he promotes organizational changes to improve police services and community relations by identifying, analyz- ing, and making recommendations regarding the com- plaint investigation process and policies, practices and training. The Auditor provides staff support to the Civilian Review Board appointed by the City Council. Two addi- tional staff are proposed for the Auditor’s office.