Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Accountability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Olympia council hires OIR Group for civilian police auditor role after public concerns about misconduct
Summary
The Olympia City Council voted unanimously May 6 to authorize a one-year, $105,000 contract (with renewal option) with OIR Group to serve as the city's civilian police auditor. The decision follows months of code updates, a multi-stage selection process and public comment raising misconduct concerns.
The Olympia City Council on May 6 approved a resolution authorizing a one-year agreement (with option to renew) with OIR Group to provide civilian police auditor services for the city.
City staff and council members said the contract marks a step in expanding civilian oversight and community engagement around police accountability. Assistant City Manager Stacy Ray told the council the auditor will receive complaints, audit uses of force, recommend policy and training changes and meet regularly with the soon-to-be-established Community Policing Board.
"This marks another really significant milestone in the process to reimagine our community involvement and oversight of law enforcement," Stacy Ray said during the presentation.
The council's decision followed public comment earlier in the meeting in which resident Demia Uralang described recent encounters with Olympia police she said raised concerns about officer conduct and disability accommodations. "They further proceeded to say that I'm not credible because I'm autistic," Uralang told the council, and told the chamber she hopes Chief Allen will engage to resolve ongoing problems.
Council members and staff described a multi-step selection process: a municipal code update in December clarified the auditor role; the city issued an RFP that closed Jan. 9; six proposals arrived; a staff and community panel recommended three firms for interviews; the Community, Equity, and Public Safety Committee interviewed finalists and unanimously recommended OIR Group following background checks.
Michael Chonaco, appearing for OIR Group, told the council the firm has provided oversight services to similarly sized cities and long-standing relationships with communities that led to contract renewals elsewhere. "This would not be our first rodeo," Chonaco said, describing recent work with other municipal oversight bodies.
The contract before the council is for $105,000 annually, the staff liaison will be Margo Morales, and the firm proposed a multi-staff team to support audits, community engagement and reports. Ray said the contracted auditor will produce a midyear and annual report and meet with the Community Policing Board to gather community input on recommendations.
Councilmember Gilman, who chaired the interview panel, said OIR's interview quickly turned to substantive brainstorming about early improvements. "It was like it was turning into a work session rather than an interview," Gilman said, adding that the group's breadth of experience made it a strong fit.
The motion to approve the resolution was moved by Councilmember Gilman, seconded (not specified in the record), and passed unanimously by the council members present. Mayor Dante Payne and councilmembers Gilman, Cooper, Vanderpool and Green voted yes; Mayor Pro Tem Nguyen and Councilmember Madrone were excused.
Outgoing city auditor Tara Parker, who has served roughly five years, told staff she will assist with transition work and presented a draft of the 2024 annual report to the community use-of-force board the night before the council meeting.
Council and staff said they expect OIR to complete an onboarding visit and meet with department leadership and community stakeholders in the coming weeks.
Votes at a glance - Resolution authorizing agreement with OIR Group for civilian police auditor services: motion moved by Councilmember Gilman; vote 5-0-0 (yes-no-abstain); two members absent (Nguyen, Madrone); outcome: approved. - Adoption of the agenda: outcome approved (unanimous of members present). - Adoption of the consent calendar: outcome approved (unanimous of members present).
Ending Councilmembers and staff said the contract is part of a broader package of changes since 2020 to increase transparency and community engagement in policing. The city will publish onboarding information and the auditor's upcoming midyear report to provide details on how the new contract will affect complaint intake, auditing and public outreach.
