Lakewood commissioners enter executive session to review police applicants; staff to correct certification dates

Commissioner Blair Boynton opened the commission meeting and identified himself as "the commissioner Blair Boynton," then introduced new business concerning removal of names related to entry-level police officer appointments. The commission agreed to move into a brief executive session to consider the applicants' qualifications.

A staff adviser told the commission the closed-session discussion would be "pursuant to RCW 42 31 10," citing state law as the legal basis to consider applicants' qualifications in private. Following that guidance, one member moved to enter the executive session and another seconded the motion; the motion was approved and the body prepared to stop recording and move into the closed session.

Commissioners and staff also identified a clerical error in certification dates on the lists of names. Staff explained the paperwork showed some certifications expiring in 2025 when they should read 2026 and characterized the discrepancy as a scrivener—s error that will be corrected. One participant noted additional names will be added to the registers ahead of awards scheduled in November and December.

The commission paused the public portion to hold the executive session and said it would return after the closed deliberation. No final appointment decisions or vote tallies were recorded in the public transcript; action taken in the closed session, if any, was not disclosed in the public record.