Use-of-force incident prompts camera recommendation; county reviews claims, training and cyber reimbursement

Cowlitz County risk staff on Monday described a use-of-force incident involving a contracted security officer, recommended adding camera coverage around the Administration Building and outlined worker's compensation and liability trends and planned training upgrades.

Shelley Pierce, risk and safety manager, summarized an incident in which an elderly, confused customer became aggressive while exiting the Administration Building and allegedly reached toward a security officer's holster. Local law enforcement responded and Pierce said Northwest Enforcement provided a report. "We have no camera coverage in the courtyard or the employee parking lot of the Admin Building," Pierce said, recommending additional camera coverage so future incidents are documented with video evidence.

Risk staff reported 66 incidents year-to-date and 31 workers'compensation claims for the 2025 loss year, with 11 active open claims at month-end; the county identified the Road Department and Sheriff's Office as the largest sources of open claims. Marissa Hutchison said the current average days open per claim and average claim cost were modest to date but warned that 2024 remains a higher-paid loss year with several significant open claims that could increase incurred totals.

Risk management has drafted a standard operating procedure to clarify incident investigation steps, time frames for reporting (24 hours or immediate for certain events), and post-incident drug-testing protocols where bargaining agreements allow. Pierce and Hutchison said timely reporting by departments remains an obstacle; delayed reports hamper evidence collection such as drug tests and site investigations.

Staff announced training and administrative changes: county-run in-person CPR classes (in partnership with Northwest Enforcement) were recently offered as a cost-saving, hands-on alternative to virtual training; the county plans to move training records from NEOGOV to Vector in 2026, a change staff estimate will save about $35,000 and improve user support. Risk management also said it had recovered approximately $85,000 of about $100,000 in cybersecurity response costs via the risk pool reimbursement process; staff said additional invoices are pending for the remaining reimbursement.

No formal board action was taken on cameras, training or the SOP at Monday's meeting; staff said they will continue outreach to departments and may return with requests for equipment or policy changes.