Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policing Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Olympia council approves ordinance to establish seven-member Community Policing Board
Summary
After a multi-year co-creation process, the Olympia City Council approved first-reading action on an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code chapter 2.1 to create a seven-member Community Policing Board with expanded advisory duties and a role working with the civilian police auditor.
The Olympia City Council on March 4 approved an ordinance to amend Olympia Municipal Code chapter 2.1 and establish a seven-member Community Policing Board to participate in community oversight of the Olympia Police Department.
Assistant City Manager Stacy Ray presented the ordinance as "the next step in implementing the recommendations around community oversight of law enforcement that came out of the Social Justice and Equity Commission." Ray said the board replaces a prior community use-of-force board and expands community members' roles, including advising on the civilian police auditor's annual work plan, collaborating on outreach, and serving as a pool of community reviewers for critical incidents when required.
The proposed board will consist of seven members appointed by council to staggered three-year terms. Candidates must live within city limits, pass a background check consistent with Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements, and must not be current or former employees of the Olympia Police Department or otherwise have relationships creating bias. Ray summarized disqualifying items in the draft ordinance as including an active arrest warrant or a conviction for a felony or certain violent offenses that could impair impartial service on an independent investigative team.
Ray and council members emphasized the board's collaborative role with the civilian police auditor and the importance of impartiality, transparency and accessibility. Ray also introduced Margo Morales, the city's new community engagement specialist, who will act as the liaison to the board if the ordinance is enacted.
Council members discussed equity concerns about background checks and confirmed that the stated purpose of the CJIS-oriented screening is to permit community reviewers to serve on Capital Metro independent investigation teams and internal review panels when needed. Council member Vanderpool raised concerns about equity and the potential for minor prior offenses to exclude qualified community members; Ray said the screening targets active warrants and convictions that would affect impartial service.
Mayor Pro Tem Nguyen moved to approve the ordinance and Council member Gilman seconded. The council approved the measure by voice vote. The ordinance amends OMC chapter 2.1 to establish the Community Policing Board; ordinance number was not specified in the meeting record.
