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OPOC delays expansion, agrees to clean up commission code
Summary
The Spokane Office of Police Ombudsman Commission voted unanimously to delay adding commissioners and directed legal counsel to present a redline of the municipal code governing the commission. Commissioners cited timing, turnover and training concerns during debate.
The Spokane Office of Police Ombudsman Commission voted unanimously on March 18 to table any action to expand the number of commissioners until a retreat this summer and asked legal counsel to prepare a language cleanup of the city code that governs the commission.
Commissioners said they supported the idea of expanding in principle but raised timing and training concerns, noting that two current commissioners are likely to leave in the coming year and that adding members could change group dynamics. "When I first heard about this I was absolutely not," said Commissioner Luke Jasmine, reflecting on his earlier reservations. "I do like the size of our group as far as you know 5 of us." Jasmine said she could be persuaded but wanted more discussion and training before moving forward.
Boone, the commission's legal counsel, told commissioners he had reviewed Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) language that governs the commission and prepared draft edits to fix typographical and procedural problems. "I've spent quite a bit of time over the last week, really digging into SMC 4.32.150," Boone said, describing both simple fixes and larger issues where code language does not align with the city's collective bargaining agreement. Boone said he would deliver a redlined draft to include in the April packet.
Commissioners also flagged practical matters: staff workload, the cost and logistics of outside legal work, and whether changes must be coordinated with the city council and a sponsor. Council staff (Chris Wright) and at least one council member (Paul Dillon) were described as potential sponsors should the commission seek ordinance changes. The group asked Boone to prepare changes that would make future expansion possible without immediately increasing membership.
Formal action: a motion to table the expansion discussion until the commission retreat on June 26–27 passed unanimously. The commission directed Boone to provide a redline of the SMC provisions for the commission's next meeting and planned an executive-session follow-up about legal billing and personnel-level details.
The commission will review the redline in April and take up expansion only after further training and discussion at the retreat.
