Chief Mark Collier and members of Auburn’s Police Advisory Committee (PAC) briefed the City Council during the Aug. 11 study session on accomplishments and ongoing community concerns from the advisory group’s work since roughly 2020.

PAC members and police leaders outlined a range of outcomes they attribute to the partnership: adoption of additional nonlethal tools (for example, the bola wrap and related restraint devices), improvements in officer recruitment and a dedicated recruitment position and website, expanded bilingual pay for officers who can serve Spanish, Korean and Urdu speakers, and efforts to increase diversity among hires. The PAC noted the department has hired a substantial share of officers of color and more female officers in recent years, and that those hires more closely reflect the community the department serves.

Committee members described operational improvements they have pursued with department leadership: clearer public information about when to call 911 and how to request a follow-up, fixes to online complaint and commendation forms, strengthened community outreach (events, farmer’s market and school presence), and improved communication channels between command staff and community members.

PAC members also urged additional steps and noted outstanding concerns. The committee and council discussed the use and availability of the “wrap” restraint — PAC members said it is in use and that officers receive training, but only a subset of patrol officers carry the device. The PAC recommended exploring anonymous reporting channels for employees, periodic reinvestigations or background checks, and possible formal participation by PAC members on use-of-force reviews to add community perspective.

Committee members described a viral incident near an Auburn apartment complex that community members believed involved immigration enforcement; the PAC said it worked with Commander Adams to contact federal immigration authorities and advised residents to call 911 if they cannot identify personnel as law enforcement so a patrol officer can check the scene. Members said the episode reduced some residents’ willingness to attend events (for example, missing a middle-school graduation) and highlighted confusion and fear in immigrant communities.

PAC members acknowledged ongoing public concern related to a prior officer-involved killing in Auburn that continues to affect community trust. The group said community members seek clearer acknowledgment and restorative options but that collective-bargaining and legal constraints complicate possible personnel or disciplinary language. The PAC said it will continue to discuss options, including whether unpaid leave for an officer charged with a serious crime should be addressed in collective bargaining.

Council members pressed for clearer data about safety perceptions and outreach methods; several councilors suggested PAC social-media posts and crowd-sourced polls could include more neutral wording and that the PAC share quantitative summaries of community responses when available. The PAC agreed to consider additional neutral framing and to continue to brief council.

No formal council action was taken; the session was informational. PAC members asked city staff to continue outreach and to explore the suggested policy and administrative changes with police command and city leadership.