Council briefed on SPD department renames; administration seeks confirmation for two directors

The administration presented code changes to rename and realign divisions inside the Spokane Police Department and asked the council to confirm department directors for the restructured units. Maggie Yates said the ordinance would rename Police Business Services to “Administration and Investigation,” grouping functions such as victim advocacy, special events, major crimes, domestic violence and special investigations. It would also move police accountability and administration functions into a Department of Patrol that focuses on calls for service and place-based policing work. The nut graf: the changes are intended to reflect Chief Hall’s strategic vision for the department. Administration sought council confirmation of Assistant Chief Steve Wool as department director of Patrol and Assistant Chief Singley as director of Administration and Investigation. Yates said the renaming and organizational confirmations do not change labor contracts or eliminate positions; HR has been engaged and labor questions were not implicated by the code-name changes. Council members asked whether collective-bargaining impacts or position losses would result; administration said the ordinance is a naming and duties update and does not alter labor terms or remove positions. The confirmation of the two department directors will proceed through the council confirmation process as required by the charter.