Ombudsman office: complaints steady, push to classify a data-analyst position

The Spokane Office of Police Ombudsperson reported stable casework in February and told commissioners it will press to classify a budgeted analyst role as a data analyst rather than a crime analyst.

Ombudsperson Bart Loc reported the office received five complaints in February, made eight referrals and certified six cases. "We received, 5 complaints, made 8 referrals, and we certified 6 cases," Bart said. He also said the office attended one review board and that the number of meetings with Spokane Police Department staff fell from 75 in January to 52 in February.

Bart described an officer-involved shooting (OIS) reported in a police media release at 3300 East Eleventh Avenue. "Officers attempted to arrest a subject in a vehicle when a struggle ensued and the subject was armed with a gun and in response ... the officers discharged their service weapon striking the suspect," Bart said, adding that the office had only the information available in the department release.

Staff are working to classify an analyst position that appeared in the office budget without prior consultation. Bart said the office prefers a data analyst role tailored to oversight needs rather than a standard crime analyst. "We don't necessarily want a crime analyst. We want a data analyst," the deputy ombuds said, adding staff are coordinating with civil service and other oversight agencies on job specifications.

The office also reported it assisted the department with policy review of the canine policy and administrative review process and attended training events. Bart said he will present the annual report next month.