OPOC: MOU talks with City Legal stalled; commission to pursue closing report and targeted recommendations

Ombuds staff reported that negotiations on a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Spokane Police Department have been slow and remain with City Legal, and that the office now expects to approach outstanding items via a closing report rather than a negotiated MOU.

Staff said the closing report will be based on material already gathered in internal affairs and use-of-force reviews and would not permit asking new formal interview questions for matters outside those files; the office may, however, produce shorter topical recommendation letters to address equipment or command-and-control concerns. Staff warned the commission that some limitations stem from the collective bargaining agreement and that if the MOU cannot be adjusted those issues will need to be addressed through future collective bargaining.

Commissioners asked whether City Legal has effectively paused the MOU process; staff said City Legal (including attorney Mike Piccolo) has been involved in meetings and that the timing has been elongated. Commissioners agreed to invite City Legal representatives to a future meeting and assigned staff an action item to invite Mike Piccolo to discuss the MOU process.

Next steps: staff will prepare a thorough closing report intended to cover the protest and related use-of-force material and will outline any matters that cannot be addressed because of bargaining limitations; commissioners asked staff to be explicit in the report about topics the office cannot address formally.